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.

[showing] how Haman the son of Hammedatha the Macedonian fought against them, how he made a decree and cast lots to utterly destroy them;

In the prosperity of righteous men a city prospers:

SAMECH. All that go by the way have clapped their hands at you; they have hissed and shaken their head at the daughter of Jerusalem. Is this the city, they say, the crown of joy of all the earth?

"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her!"

And this house, which is high, shall be [so that] everyone that passes by it shall be amazed, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why has the Lord done thus to this land, and to this house?

And I will bring this city to desolation and [make it] a hissing: everyone that passes by it shall scowl, and hiss because of all her plagues.

For you have kept the statues of Omri, and done all the works of the house of Ahab; and you have walked in their ways, that I might deliver you to utter destruction, and those that inhabit the city to hissing: and you shall bear the reproach of nations.

[ 3:1] This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and there is no longer any [to be] after me: how has she become desolate, and a habitation of wild beasts! Everyone that passes through her shall hiss, and shake their hands [in contempt].