Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is next unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
"We have therefore ordered that all those named to you in the letter written by Haman, who is placed in charge of affairs and is next to us in rank, shall — together with their wives and children — be utterly destroyed by the swords of their enemies, without any mercy or pity, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, of this present year,"
