17 And in all the provinces* and all the cities, wherever the decree of the king and his law reached, the Jews were rejoicing and exulting, holding banquets and celebrations. Many of the peoples of the land were declaring themselves Jews,+ for the dread of the Jews had fallen upon them.

14 For Jehovah will show mercy to Jacob,+ and he will again choose Israel.+ He will settle them* in their land,+ and the foreign residents will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.+ 2 And peoples will take them and bring them to their own place, and the house of Israel will possess them as male and female servants+ in Jehovah’s land; and they will be the captors of those who held them captive, and they will have in subjection those who were forcing them to work.*