4. It was well known throughout the empire that Mordecai was now a powerful man in the palace and was growing more powerful.
5. So the Jews could do what they wanted with their enemies. They attacked them with swords and slaughtered them.
6. In Susa, the capital city itself, the Jews killed 500 people.
11. That same day the number of people killed in Susa was reported to the king.
12. He then said to Queen Esther, “In Susa alone the Jews have killed 500 people, including Haman's ten sons. What must they have done out in the provinces! What do you want now? You shall have it. Tell me what else you want, and you shall have it.”
13. Esther answered, “If it please Your Majesty, let the Jews in Susa do again tomorrow what they were allowed to do today. And order the bodies of Haman's ten sons to be hung from the gallows.”
14. The king ordered this to be done, and the proclamation was issued in Susa. The bodies of Haman's ten sons were publicly displayed.