15:13. Thou shalt not die: for this law is not made for thee, but for all others.

15:14. Come near then, and touch the sceptre.

15:15. And as she held her peace, he took the golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck, and kissed her, and said: Why dost thou not speak to me?

15:16. She answered: I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.

15:17. For thou, my lord, art very admirable, and thy face is full of graces.

15:18. And while she was speaking, she fell down again, and was almost in a swoon.

15:19. But the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.

Esther Chapter 16

A copy of the king's letter in favour of the Jews.

16:1. The 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.