Ester 16

¹The great king Artaxerxes, from India to Ethiopia, to the governors and princes of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, which obey our command, sendeth greeting. From India to Ethiopia. . .That is, who reigneth from India to Ethiopia.

²Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and the honour that hath been bestowed upon them:

³And not only endeavour to oppress the king's subjects, but not bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand, to practise also against them that gave it.

⁴Neither are they content not to return thanks for benefits received, and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all hings.

⁵And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour to undermine by lies such as observe diligently the offices committed to them, and do all things in such manner as to be worthy f all men's praise,

⁶While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are well meaning, and judge of others by their own nature.

⁷Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the things which are done daily, how the good designs of kings are depraved by the evil suggestions of certain men.

⁸Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.

⁹Neither must you think, if we command different things, that it cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give sentence according to the quality and necessity of times, as the profit of he commonwealth requireth.

¹⁰Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, Aman the son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and country, and having nothing of the Persian blood, but with his cruelty staining our goodness, was received being a stranger by us:

¹¹And found our humanity so great towards him, that he was called our father, and was worshipped by all as the next man after the king: