for on these days the Jews obtained rest from their enemies. And [as to] the month, which was Adar, in which a change was made for them, from mourning to joy, and from sorrow to a good day, to spend the whole of it [in] good days of feasting and gladness, sending portions to their friends, and to the poor.

in every city and province wherever the ordinance was published: wherever the proclamation took place, the Jews had joy and gladness, feasting and mirth. And many of the Gentiles were circumcised, and became Jews, for fear of the Jews.

And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son, and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow which dwells among you, in whatsoever place the Lord your God shall choose, that His name should be called there.

And you shall rejoice in your feast, you, and your son, and your daughter, your male servant, and your female servant, and the Levite, and the stranger, and the orphan, and the widow that is in your cities.

And [the governor] said to them, Go, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them that have nothing; for this day is holy to our Lord: and faint not, for the Lord is our strength.

So all the people departed to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, for they understood the words which he made known to them.

They completely compassed me about; but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

I was thrust, and sorely shaken, that I might fall; but the Lord helped me.

The voice of exaltation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord has done mightily.

Nevertheless give what is inside as alms; and see, all things are clean to you.

And those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry, and give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.