ESITERI

1 Hari umwami witwaga Ahasuwerusi* wategekaga intara 127,+ uhereye mu Buhinde ukagera muri Etiyopiya.* 2 Umunsi umwe, yari yicaye ku ntebe y’ubwami mu nzu ye i Shushani*+ 3 kandi yari amaze imyaka itatu ategeka. Nuko ategura ibirori atumira abayobozi bose n’abandi bakozi b’ibwami. Yari yatumiye abasirikare bakuru b’u Bumedi+ n’u Buperesi,+ abanyacyubahiro n’abayobozi b’intara. 4 Hanyuma amara iminsi 180 yose abereka ibintu byinshi yari atunze, ukuntu ubwami bwe bwari bukomeye n’ukuntu yari afite icyubahiro cyinshi. 5 Iyo minsi irangiye, umwami ategura ibindi birori, atumira abantu bose babaga ibwami* i Shushani, abakomeye n’aboroheje. Ibyo birori byabereye iwe mu busitani kandi byamaze iminsi irindwi. 6 Aho ibyo birori byabereye hari hatatse ibitambaro byiza by’umweru n’iby’ubururu. Ibyo bitambaro byari biziritse ku nkingi zikozwe mu mabuye meza, bizirikishijwe imishumi* ifashe mu twuma dukozwe mu ifeza tumeze nk’impeta, duteye kuri za nkingi. Nanone hari intebe zikozwe muri zahabu n’ifeza, ziteye mu mbuga yari ishashemo amabuye y’agaciro.*

7 Icyo gihe abantu banywereye divayi mu bikombe bya zahabu kandi nta gikombe cyari gikozwe nk’ikindi. Umwami yari yateguye divayi nyinshi akurikije ubukire bwe. 8 Nta tegeko ryari rihari ryagenaga uko divayi umuntu agomba kunywa yabaga ingana. Umwami yari yasabye abakozi b’ibwami ko bareka buri wese akanywa uko abishaka.

9 Umwamikazi Vashiti+ na we yari yateguriye abagore ibirori mu nzu* y’Umwami Ahasuwerusi.

10 Ku munsi wa karindwi, igihe Umwami Ahasuwerusi yumvaga anezerewe bitewe na divayi yari yanyoye, hari ikintu yasabye abagaragu be barindwi, ari bo Mehumani, Bizita, Haribona,+ Bigita, Abagita, Zetari na Karikasi. 11 Yarababwiye ngo bamuzanire Umwamikazi Vashiti yambaye ikamba.* Yashakaga kwereka abaturage bose n’abayobozi ubwiza bwa Vashiti, kuko yari mwiza cyane. 12 Icyakora Umwamikazi Vashiti yakomeje gusuzugura abo bakozi yanga kwitaba umwami. Ibyo byatumye umwami arakara, agira umujinya mwinshi.

13 Nuko umwami avugana n’abanyabwenge bari bazi uko ibibazo nk’ibyo byakemurwaga.* (Iyo umwami yabaga afite ikibazo, yakibwiraga abahanga mu by’amategeko no guca imanza. 14 Abakoranaga na we bya bugufi ni abayobozi barindwi+ bo mu bwami bw’Abamedi n’Abaperesi, ari bo Karishena, Shetari, Adimata, Tarushishi, Meresi, Marisena na Memukani. Abo bari bafite uburenganzira bwo kujya kureba umwami igihe bashakiye kandi bari abayobozi bakomeye cyane.) 15 Yarababajije ati: “Ko njyewe Umwami Ahasuwerusi natumye abakozi b’ibwami ngo banzanire Umwamikazi Vashiti akansuzugura, mukurikije amategeko tumugire dute?”

16 Nuko Memukani abwira umwami n’abatware ati: “Umwamikazi Vashiti ntiyakoreye ikosa umwami gusa,+ ahubwo yanarikoreye abatware bose n’abaturage bari mu ntara zose zitegekwa n’Umwami Ahasuwerusi. 17 Ibyo umwamikazi yakoze abagore bose bazabimenya, bitume basuzugura abagabo babo. Bazajya bavuga bati: ‘none se Umwami Ahasuwerusi we ntiyatumyeho Umwamikazi Vashiti akanga kumwitaba?’ 18 Abagore bafite abagabo b’abatware mu bwami bw’Abamedi n’Abaperesi bazi ibyo umwamikazi yakoze, bazajya babisubiriramo abagabo babo bitume habaho agasuzuguro kenshi n’uburakari. 19 None rero, niba umwami abona ko bikwiriye, natange itegeko kandi ryandikwe mu mategeko y’Abamedi n’Abaperesi atajya ahinduka,+ avuge ko Vashiti atazongera kugera imbere y’Umwami Ahasuwerusi. Nanone umwami natoranye undi mugore umurusha imico myiza, abe ari we agira umwamikazi. 20 Iryo tegeko nirigera ku baturage bo mu bwami bwe bwose, bizatuma abagore bose bubaha abagabo babo, baba abakomeye n’aboroheje.”

21 Icyo gitekerezo cyashimishije umwami n’abatware, nuko umwami akora ibyo Memukani avuze. 22 Hanyuma umwami yohereza amabaruwa mu ntara zose,+ buri ntara yohererezwa ibaruwa hakurikijwe imyandikire yayo kandi buri bwoko bwandikirwa mu rurimi rwabwo. Ayo mabaruwa yavugaga ko umugabo ari we ugomba kuyobora abo mu rugo rwe kandi ko abagize umuryango we bagomba kuvuga ururimi rwe.

2 Hanyuma Umwami Ahasuwerusi+ amaze gushira uburakari, yibuka ibyo Vashiti yakoze+ byose n’ibyemezo yafatiwe.+ 2 Nuko abakozi b’ibwami baravuga bati: “Nibashakire umwami abakobwa bakiri bato, beza kandi b’amasugi. 3 Mu ntara zose+ umwami ashyireho abantu bashake abakobwa beza, bakiri bato b’amasugi babazane ibwami,* i Shushani* mu nzu y’abagore. Babahe Hegayi+ umukozi* w’ibwami urinda abagore maze bajye babasiga amavuta atandukanye kugira ngo barusheho kuba beza. 4 Umukobwa umwami azishimira kurusha abandi ni we uzaba umwamikazi, asimbure Vashiti.”+ Umwami yemera iyo nama, nuko abigenza atyo.

5 Hari umugabo w’Umuyahudi wabaga ibwami i Shushani+ witwaga Moridekayi+ umuhungu wa Yayiri, umuhungu wa Shimeyi, umuhungu wa Kishi wo mu muryango wa Benyamini.+ 6 Yari yarajyanywe ku ngufu mu gihugu kitari icye aturutse i Yerusalemu hamwe n’abandi bari kumwe na Yekoniya*+ umwami w’u Buyuda, uwo Nebukadinezari umwami w’i Babuloni yajyanye ku ngufu mu gihugu kitari icye. 7 Moridekayi ni we wareze Hadasa* ari we Esiteri, wari mushiki we kwa se wabo,+ kuko atagiraga ababyeyi. Uwo mukobwa yari ateye neza kandi ari mwiza. Ababyeyi be bamaze gupfa, Moridekayi ni we wamureze. 8 Nuko abantu bamaze kumva ibyo umwami yavuze n’itegeko yatanze, abakobwa benshi bakiri bato bajyanwa ibwami i Shushani, bahabwa Hegayi+ ngo abiteho. Icyo gihe Esiteri na we ajyanwa mu nzu y’umwami yayoborwaga na Hegayi, wari ushinzwe kurinda abagore.

9 Nuko Hegayi abonye uwo mukobwa aramwishimira kandi yumva aramwikundiye. Ahita ategeka ko batangira kumusiga kugira ngo arusheho kuba mwiza,+ bakamuha ibyokurya byihariye kandi amutoranyiriza abakobwa barindwi bo mu nzu y’umwami bo kujya bamukorera. Hanyuma we n’abo bakozi abimurira ahantu heza haruta ahandi mu nzu y’abagore. 10 Nta muntu n’umwe Esiteri yari yarigeze abwira ubwoko bwe+ cyangwa ngo amubwire bene wabo abo ari bo, kuko Moridekayi+ yari yaramubujije kubivuga.+ 11 Buri munsi Moridekayi yanyuraga mu mbuga y’inzu y’abagore, kugira ngo amenye amakuru ya Esiteri n’uko yari abayeho.

12 Buri mukobwa yagiraga igihe cyo kujya guhura n’Umwami Ahasuwerusi, nyuma yo kumara amezi 12 yari yaragenewe abakobwa yo kwitabwaho kugira ngo barusheho kuba beza. Uku ni ko gahunda yo kubasiga kugira ngo barusheho kuba beza yari imeze: Bamaraga amezi atandatu basigwa amavuta meza,*+ andi mezi atandatu bagasigwa amavuta ahumura neza+ n’andi mavuta atandukanye. 13 Icyo gihe umukobwa yabaga yiteguye kujya guhura n’umwami kandi iyo yabaga agiye kuva mu nzu y’abagore agiye mu nzu y’umwami, icyo yasabaga cyose yaragihabwaga. 14 Yagendaga nimugoroba akagaruka mu gitondo, akajya mu nzu ya kabiri y’abagore yagenzurwaga n’umukozi w’ibwami+ witwaga Shashigazi warindaga abandi bagore b’umwami. Ntiyongeraga guhura n’umwami kereka iyo yabaga yamukunze cyane agasaba ko bamumuzanira amuvuze mu izina.+

15 Nuko Esiteri umukobwa wa Abihayili se wabo wa Moridekayi, uwo Moridekayi yareraga,+ na we igihe cye kiragera ngo ajye kwiyereka umwami, ariko ntiyagira ikintu na kimwe asaba uretse ibyo Hegayi umukozi w’ibwami yavuze ko ahabwa. (Muri icyo gihe cyose, ababonaga Esiteri bose bumvaga bamukunze.) 16 Esiteri yajyanywe mu nzu y’Umwami Ahasuwerusi mu kwezi kwa 10, ari ko kwezi kwa Tebeti,* igihe uwo mwami yari amaze imyaka irindwi+ ategeka. 17 Umwami akunda Esiteri, amurutisha abandi bakobwa bose. Yaramukunze cyane abona ko afite agaciro kuruta abandi bakobwa b’amasugi bose. Nuko amwambika ikamba,* amugira umwamikazi+ asimbura Vashiti.+ 18 Hanyuma umwami atumira abatware n’abakozi be bose mu birori bikomeye yari yateguriye Esiteri, atanga imbabazi mu ntara zose kandi akomeza guha abantu impano akurikije ubukire bwe.

19 Igihe abakobwa b’amasugi+ bongeraga guhurizwa hamwe ku nshuro ya kabiri, Moridekayi yari yicaye ku irembo ry’ibwami. 20 Nta muntu Esiteri yigeze abwira ubwoko bwe cyangwa ngo amubwire bene wabo+ kuko Moridekayi yari yarabimubujije. Yakomeje kumwumvira nk’uko byari bimeze akimurera.+

21 Muri iyo minsi, igihe Moridekayi yari yicaye ku irembo ry’ibwami, abayobozi babiri b’ibwami ari bo Bigitani na Tereshi, bari n’abarinzi b’amarembo, bararakaye maze bajya inama yo kwica Umwami Ahasuwerusi. 22 Moridekayi yarabimenye ahita abibwira Umwamikazi Esiteri, hanyuma Esiteri na we abibwira umwami avuga ko Moridekayi ari we wabimubwiye. 23 Bakoze iperereza basanga ari byo, nuko abo bayobozi bombi bamanikwa ku giti. Ibyo bintu byose byandikirwa imbere y’umwami, byandikwa mu gitabo cy’ibyabaye.+

3 Nyuma y’ibyo, Umwami Ahasuwerusi azamura mu ntera Hamani+ umuhungu wa Hamedata wo mu muryango wa Agagi,+ amurutisha abandi batware bose bari kumwe na we.+ 2 Abakozi bose b’ibwami babaga bari ku irembo ry’ibwami bunamiraga Hamani bakamwikubita imbere, kuko ari ko umwami yari yarategetse. Ariko Moridekayi we yari yaranze kumwunamira cyangwa kumwikubita imbere. 3 Nuko abakozi b’ibwami babaga bari ku irembo ry’umwami babaza Moridekayi bati: “Kuki usuzugura itegeko ry’umwami?” 4 Bakajya babimubaza buri munsi ariko ntabyiteho. Babibwira Hamani kugira ngo arebe niba yari gukomeza kumwihanganira,+ kuko Moridekayi yari yarababwiye ko ari Umuyahudi.+

5 Hamani abonye ko Moridekayi yanze kumwunamira no kumwikubita imbere, biramurakaza cyane.+ 6 Ariko abona ko kwica Moridekayi wenyine bidahagije, kuko bari baramubwiye ko Moridekayi ari Umuyahudi. Nuko Hamani atangira gushaka uko yakwica Abayahudi bose bari batuye aho Umwami Ahasuwerusi yategekaga hose, ni ukuvuga abo mu bwoko bwa Moridekayi bose.

7 Mu kwezi kwa mbere, ari ko kwezi kwa Nisani,* mu mwaka wa 12+ w’ubutegetsi bw’Umwami Ahasuwerusi, bakoreye ubufindo*+ imbere ya Hamani kugira ngo bamenye ukwezi n’umunsi ibyo byari kuberaho maze bwerekana ukwezi kwa 12, ari ko kwezi kwa Adari.*+ 8 Nuko Hamani abwira Umwami Ahasuwerusi ati: “Hari abantu bari hirya no hino+ mu ntara zose z’ubwami bwawe,+ bagendera ku mategeko atandukanye n’ay’abandi bantu bose, ntibakurikize amategeko y’umwami kandi umwami abaretse nta cyo byamwungura. 9 Mwami niba ubyemeye, handikwe itegeko ry’uko bagomba kwicwa. Nzaha abakozi b’umwami toni 342* z’ifeza bazishyire mu bubiko bw’umwami.”*

10 Umwami abyumvise akuramo impeta yakoreshaga atera kashe+ maze ayiha Hamani+ umuhungu wa Hamedata wo mu muryango wa Agagi+ wari umwanzi w’Abayahudi. 11 Umwami abwira Hamani ati: “Ifeza n’abo bantu ndabikwihereye, ubigenze uko ushaka.” 12 Hanyuma mu kwezi kwa mbere, ku itariki ya 13, batumaho abanditsi b’umwami+ bandika+ ibintu byose Hamani yategetse abari bungirije umwami, ba guverineri bategekaga intara zitandukanye n’abatware bategekaga abantu b’amoko atandukanye, buri ntara yohererezwa ibaruwa hakurikijwe imyandikire yayo na buri bwoko bwandikirwa mu rurimi rwabwo. Ayo mabaruwa bayandika mu izina ry’Umwami Ahasuwerusi, bayateraho kashe yari ku mpeta ye.+

13 Nuko bohereza intumwa ngo zijyane ayo mabaruwa mu ntara zose z’umwami. Ayo mabaruwa yatangaga itegeko ryo kwica Abayahudi bose bakabamaraho, ni ukuvuga abasore n’abasaza, abana n’abagore, bigakorwa ku itariki ya 13 z’ukwezi kwa 12, ari ko kwezi kwa Adari+ kandi bakabambura ibyabo.+ 14 Ibyari biri muri ayo mabaruwa byagombaga guhinduka itegeko mu ntara zose, bikamenyeshwa abantu b’amoko yose kugira ngo kuri uwo munsi bazabe biteguye. 15 Nuko iryo tegeko ritangwa ibwami* i Shushani,*+ za ntumwa na zo zigenda zihuta+ nk’uko umwami yari yazitegetse. Maze umwami na Hamani baricara baranywa, ariko abo mu mujyi w’i Shushani bose bari bumiwe.

4 Moridekayi+ amenye ibyari byabaye byose,+ aca imyenda yari yambaye, yambara imyenda y’akababaro* kandi yitera ivu. Nuko ajya mu mujyi hagati, arira cyane ataka kandi ababaye. 2 Hanyuma araza ahagarara ku irembo ry’ibwami, kuko nta muntu wari wemerewe kwinjira mu irembo ry’ibwami yambaye imyenda y’akababaro. 3 Mu ntara zose+ iyo Abayahudi bumvaga ibyo umwami yavuze n’itegeko yatanze bagiraga agahinda kenshi cyane, bakigomwa kurya no kunywa+ kandi bakarira bataka cyane. Abenshi baryamaga hasi ku myenda y’akababaro no mu ivu.+ 4 Igihe abakobwa bakoreraga Esiteri n’abandi bakozi* bazaga bakabimubwira, uwo mwamikazi yarababaye cyane. Nuko yoherereza Moridekayi indi myenda kugira ngo akuremo iyo myenda y’akababaro ariko arayanga. 5 Hanyuma Esiteri atumaho umwe mu bakozi* umwami yari yaramuhaye witwaga Hataki, amutegeka kujya kubaza Moridekayi icyo yari yabaye.

6 Nuko Hataki aragenda asanga Moridekayi mu mujyi ahakundaga guhurira abantu benshi, imbere y’irembo ry’ibwami. 7 Moridekayi amubwira ibyamubayeho byose, amubwira n’umubare w’amafaranga+ Hamani yemeye ko azatanga agashyirwa mu bubiko bw’umwami kugira ngo Abayahudi bicwe.+ 8 Nanone amuha ibaruwa yari yanditsemo itegeko ryatangiwe i Shushani*+ ryavugaga ko Abayahudi bagombaga kwicwa. Yagombaga kugenda akayereka Esiteri, akamusobanurira uko ibintu byari byifashe kandi akamusaba+ kujya kureba umwami akamwinginga kugira ngo atabare ubwoko bwe.

9 Hataki aragaruka abwira Esiteri ibyo Moridekayi yamubwiye. 10 Nuko Esiteri atuma Hataki ngo agende abwire Moridekayi+ ati: 11 “Abakozi b’umwami bose n’abantu bo mu ntara zose ategeka, bazi ko hari itegeko rivuga ko iyo hagize umugabo cyangwa umugore ujya kureba umwami mu rugo rwe rw’imbere+ atamutumyeho, yicwa. Ashobora gukomeza kubaho ari uko gusa umwami amutunze inkoni ye ya zahabu+ kandi njyewe maze iminsi 30 umwami atantumaho.”

12 Moridekayi amaze kumva ibyo Esiteri yavuze, 13 aramusubiza ati: “Ntutekereze ko kuba uri mu muryango w’umwami ari byo bizatuma urokoka ibizagera ku bandi Bayahudi bose. 14 Niwicecekera muri iki gihe, Abayahudi ntibazabura ubatabara ngo abakize.+ Ariko wowe na bene wanyu muzapfa. Ubundi se ubwirwa n’iki niba utarabaye umwamikazi kugira ngo ugire icyo ukora mu gihe nk’iki?”+

15 Esiteri na we asubiza Moridekayi ati: 16 “Genda uhurize hamwe Abayahudi bose bari i Shushani mwigomwe+ kurya no kunywa munsabira, muzamare iminsi itatu nta cyo murya nta n’icyo munywa+ ku manywa na nijoro. Nanjye n’abakobwa bankorera tuzabigenza dutyo. Hanyuma nzajya kureba umwami nubwo bitemewe kandi niba ngomba gupfa, nzapfe.” 17 Nuko Moridekayi aragenda akora ibyo Esiteri yari yamusabye byose.

5 Nuko ku munsi wa gatatu,+ Esiteri yambara imyenda yambarwaga n’abamikazi, ahagarara mu rugo rw’imbere rw’inzu y’umwami, aharebana n’inzu y’umwami. Icyo gihe umwami na we yari yicaye muri iyo nzu ku ntebe ye, areba aho abantu binjirira. 2 Umwami abonye Umwamikazi Esiteri ahagaze mu rugo, aramwishimira maze amutunga inkoni ye ya zahabu+ yari afite mu ntoki. Nuko Esiteri aza amusanga akora ku mutwe w’iyo nkoni.

3 Umwami aramubaza ati: “Mwamikazi Esiteri, ni ikihe kibazo ufite? Urifuza iki? Niyo wansaba kimwe cya kabiri cy’ubwami bwanjye, nakiguha!” 4 Esiteri aramusubiza ati: “Mwami, niba ubyemeye, uyu munsi uzane na Hamani+ mu birori naguteguriye.” 5 Nuko umwami abwira abakozi be ati: “Nimugende mubwire Hamani ahite aza hano nk’uko Esiteri abisabye.” Hanyuma umwami na Hamani bajya mu birori Esiteri yari yateguye.

6 Mu gihe banywaga divayi, umwami abaza Esiteri ati: “Urifuza iki ngo nkiguhe? Mbwira icyo wifuza? Niyo wansaba kimwe cya kabiri cy’ubwami bwanjye, nakiguha!”+ 7 Esiteri aramusubiza ati: “Icyo nifuza ni iki: 8 Mwami niba unyishimira kandi ukaba wemeye kumpa icyo nifuza n’icyo ngusaba, ejo uzazane na Hamani mu birori nzabategurira, nanjye ejo nzavuga icyo nifuza.”

9 Uwo munsi Hamani ataha yishimye kandi anezerewe. Ariko ageze ku irembo ry’ibwami, abona Moridekayi akomeje kwicara aho guhaguruka ngo agaragaze ko amwubashye kandi ko amutinya, aramurakarira cyane.+ 10 Ariko Hamani arifata maze ajya iwe. Nuko atumaho inshuti ze n’umugore we Zereshi+ ngo baze. 11 Hanyuma Hamani atangira kubaratira ubutunzi bwe bwinshi n’abahungu be benshi,+ n’ukuntu umwami yari yaramuzamuye mu ntera, akamurutisha abandi batware n’abakozi b’umwami bose.+

12 Hamani yongeraho ati: “Mugira ngo ni ibyo gusa se? Umwamikazi Esiteri ni njye njyenyine yatumiye ngo njyane n’umwami mu birori yateguye+ kandi n’ejo yantumiye ngo nzajyaneyo n’umwami.+ 13 Ariko ibyo byose nta cyo bimariye igihe cyose nkibona Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi yicaye ku irembo ry’ibwami.” 14 Umugore we Zereshi n’incuti ze zose baramubwira bati: “Nibashinge igiti gifite uburebure bwa metero nka 22 na santimetero 3,* hanyuma mu gitondo ubwire umwami bakimanikeho Moridekayi.+ Noneho ujyane n’umwami wishimire ibirori.” Iyo nama ishimisha Hamani maze ategeka ko bashinga icyo giti.

6 Muri iryo joro umwami abura ibitotsi. Nuko atumiza igitabo cy’amateka y’ibwami+ hanyuma barakimusomera. 2 Basanga handitsemo ko Moridekayi ari we wavuze ko Bigitani na Tereshi, abayobozi babiri b’ibwami bari n’abarinzi b’amarembo, bashatse kwica Umwami Ahasuwerusi.+ 3 Umwami arabaza ati: “Ese yigeze abishimirwa cyangwa ngo ahabwe igihembo cy’ibyo yakoze?” Abakozi b’umwami baramusubiza bati: “Nta na kimwe muri ibyo yakorewe.”

4 Hanyuma umwami arabaza ati: “Ni nde uri hanze?” Icyo gihe Hamani yari mu rugo rw’inyuma+ rw’inzu y’umwami, aje kubwira umwami ngo amanike Moridekayi ku giti yari yashinze.+ 5 Abakozi b’umwami baramubwira bati: “Hamani+ ni we uhagaze hanze.” Nuko umwami aravuga ati: “Nimureke yinjire.”

6 Hamani yinjiye, umwami aramubaza ati: “Umuntu umwami yifuza gushimira yamukorera iki?” Hamani ahita atekereza ati: “Ese hari undi muntu utari njye umwami yifuza gushimira?”+ 7 Nuko asubiza umwami ati: “Umuntu umwami yifuza gushimira, 8 bazane umwenda w’abami+ umwami yambara, bazane n’ifarashi umwami agendaho, ku mutwe wayo bashyireho ikamba ry’ibwami. 9 Maze uwo mwenda n’iyo farashi babihe umwe mu batware bakomeye b’ibwami, bawambike uwo muntu umwami yifuza gushimira. Hanyuma bamushyire ku ifarashi anyure mu mujyi ahakunda guhurira abantu benshi ayiriho, bagende imbere ye bavuga cyane bati: ‘ibi ni byo bakorera umuntu umwami yifuza gushimira.’”+ 10 Umwami ahita abwira Hamani ati: “Gira vuba ufate uwo mwenda n’iyo farashi kandi ibyo wavuze ubikorere Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi wicara ku irembo ry’ibwami. Ibyo wavuze byose ubikore nk’uko biri.”

11 Nuko Hamani aragenda afata uwo mwenda n’ifarashi, awambika Moridekayi,+ amwicaza kuri iyo farashi, banyura mu mujyi ahakunda guhurira abantu benshi. Agenda imbere ye avuga cyane ati: “Ibi ni byo bakorera umuntu umwami yifuza gushimira.” 12 Ibyo birangiye Moridekayi agaruka ku irembo ry’ibwami, ariko Hamani we asubira iwe afite agahinda nk’ak’umuntu wapfushije kandi yitwikiriye umutwe. 13 Hamani abwira umugore we Zereshi+ n’incuti ze zose ibyari byamubayeho. Nuko abajyanama* be n’umugore we Zereshi baramubwira bati: “niba koko Moridekayi ari Umuyahudi* none ukaba utangiye guta agaciro imbere ye, ntukimushoboye. Azagutsinda uko byagenda kose.”

14 Mu gihe bari bakivugana na we, abatware b’ibwami baba baraje, bahita bajyana Hamani mu birori Esiteri yari yateguye.+

7 Nuko umwami na Hamani+ bajya mu birori by’Umwamikazi Esiteri. 2 Ku munsi wa kabiri, igihe banywaga divayi, umwami yongera kubaza Esiteri ati: “Urifuza iki ngo nkiguhe? Mbwira icyo ushaka. Niyo wansaba kimwe cya kabiri cy’ubwami bwanjye, nakiguha!”+ 3 Umwamikazi Esiteri aramusubiza ati: “Mwami, niba unyishimira kandi ukaba ubyemeye, nifuza ko untabara, ugatabara n’ubwoko bwanjye.+ 4 Kuko njye na bene wacu twagurishijwe+ kugira ngo batwice batumare.+ Iyo tuza kugurishwa ngo tube abagaragu n’abaja, nari kwicecekera. Ariko ntibikwiriye ko ibyo byago bibaho kuko byagira ingaruka no ku mwami.”

5 Umwami Ahasuwerusi abaza Umwamikazi Esiteri ati: “Uwo ni nde? Uwo muntu watinyutse gukora ikintu nk’icyo ari he?” 6 Esiteri aramusubiza ati: “Uwo mwanzi uturwanya, ni uyu mugome Hamani.”

Nuko Hamani agirira ubwoba bwinshi imbere y’umwami n’umwamikazi. 7 Umwami ahaguruka aho yanyweraga divayi arakaye cyane, arasohoka ajya mu busitani. Maze Hamani na we arahaguruka ajya kwinginga Umwamikazi Esiteri ngo amukize ntibamwice, kuko yabonaga ko umwami yiyemeje kumuhana. 8 Umwami avuye mu busitani agarutse aho yanyweraga divayi, abona Hamani yasanze Esiteri ku ntebe imeze nk’igitanda yari yicayeho. Nuko umwami aravuga ati: “Ese arashaka no gufata ku ngufu umwamikazi mu nzu yanjye?” Umwami akimara kuvuga ayo magambo, Hamani bamupfuka mu maso. 9 Umwe mu batware b’ibwami witwaga Haribona+ aravuga ati: “Hari n’igiti Hamani yashinze ashaka kukimanikaho Moridekayi+ kandi ari we watanze amakuru yatumye umwami aticwa.+ Gishinze kwa Hamani kandi gifite nka metero 22 na santimetero 30* z’ubuhagarike.” Umwami ahita avuga ati: “Mugende mukimumanikeho!” 10 Nuko baragenda, bamanika Hamani ku giti yari yashinze ashaka kukimanikaho Moridekayi, maze uburakari bw’umwami buragabanuka.

8 Uwo munsi Umwami Ahasuwerusi aha Umwamikazi Esiteri ibyo Hamani+ wangaga Abayahudi+ yari atunze byose. Moridekayi na we aza imbere y’umwami kuko Esiteri yari yamubwiye icyo apfana na Moridekayi.+ 2 Hanyuma umwami akuramo impeta ye yakoreshaga atera kashe+ yari yatse Hamani, ayiha Moridekayi. Esiteri na we aha Moridekayi inshingano yo kwita ku byahoze ari ibya Hamani byose.+

3 Esiteri yongera kuvugana n’umwami. Apfukama imbere ye, aramwunamira kandi ararira cyane, amusaba guhagarika ibibi Hamani w’Umwagagi yari yarateje no kuburizamo umugambi mubi yari afite wo kwica Abayahudi bose.+ 4 Nuko umwami atunga Esiteri+ inkoni ye ya zahabu maze Esiteri arahaguruka ahagarara imbere y’umwami. 5 Aravuga ati: “Mwami niba ubyemeye, ukaba unyishimira, ukaba ubona bikwiriye kandi ukaba unkunda koko, handikwe itegeko ritesha agaciro amabaruwa yanditswe mbere na wa mugambanyi Hamani,+ umuhungu wa Hamedata w’Umwagagi,+ yavugaga ko Abayahudi bo mu ntara zose uyobora bicwa bagashira. 6 Sinashobora kwihanganira kubona abo mu bwoko bwanjye bagerwaho n’ibyo byago kandi rwose sinakwihanganira kubona bene wacu bose bicwa.”

7 Nuko Umwami Ahasuwerusi abwira Umwamikazi Esiteri na Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi ati: “Nategetse ko Hamani amanikwa ku giti+ kuko yashakaga kwica Abayahudi kandi ibyo Hamani yari atunze byose nabihaye Esiteri.+ 8 Ubwo rero nimwandike itegeko ryose mubona ko rishobora kurengera Abayahudi, muryandike mu izina ry’umwami kandi murishyireho kashe iri ku mpeta yanjye, kuko itegeko ryanditswe mu izina ry’umwami, rigaterwaho kashe yo ku mpeta ye, ridashobora guhinduka.”+

9 Nuko ku itariki ya 23 z’ukwezi kwa gatatu, ari ko kwitwaga Sivani,* batumaho abanditsi b’umwami. Bandika ibintu byose Moridekayi yategetse Abayahudi, abari bungirije umwami,+ ba guverineri n’abayobozi b’intara 127,+ uhereye mu Buhinde ukagera muri Etiyopiya. Buri ntara bayandikira bakurikije imyandikire yayo, na buri bwoko babwandikira mu rurimi rwabwo n’Abayahudi babandikira bakurikije imyandikire yabo n’ururimi rwabo.

10 Moridekayi yandika amabaruwa yari arimo iryo tegeko mu izina ry’Umwami Ahasuwerusi kandi ayateraho kashe yari ku mpeta y’umwami,+ ayaha intumwa zagenderaga ku mafarashi ngo ziyajyane. Zagiye ku mafarashi yihuta cyane yakoreshwaga mu mirimo y’ibwami. 11 Muri ayo mabaruwa, umwami yahaye Abayahudi bo mu mijyi itandukanye uburenganzira bwo kwishyira hamwe bakirwanaho. Nanone yabahaye uburenganzira bwo kwica abantu bose bitwaje intwaro bo mu bwoko ubwo ari bwo bwose n’intara iyo ari yo yose, bashoboraga kubagabaho igitero, bakica n’abagore babo n’abana babo kandi bagasahura imitungo yabo.+ 12 Ibyo byagombaga kuba ku itariki ya 13 z’ukwezi kwa 12, kwitwaga Adari,*+ bigakorwa mu ntara zose zategekwaga n’Umwami Ahasuwerusi. 13 Ibyari muri ayo mabaruwa byagombaga guhinduka itegeko mu ntara zose kandi bikamenyeshwa abantu b’amoko yose kugira ngo kuri uwo munsi Abayahudi bazabe biteguye kurwana n’abanzi babo.+ 14 Intumwa zagenderaga ku mafarashi yakoreshwaga mu mirimo y’ibwami, zigenda zihuta kubera itegeko umwami yari yatanze. Nanone iryo tegeko ryatanzwe ibwami i Shushani.*+

15 Moridekayi ava imbere y’umwami yambaye umwenda w’ibwami w’ubururu n’umweru, yarengejeho umwitero mwiza cyane*+ n’ikamba ryiza cyane rya zahabu. Nuko abantu bo mu mujyi w’i Shushani bose barishima. 16 Icyo gihe Abayahudi bumvise baruhutse,* barishima cyane kandi abantu barabubaha. 17 Mu ntara zose no mu mijyi yose iyo bumvaga itegeko ry’umwami, Abayahudi barishimaga cyane, bagakora ibirori. Kubera ko abantu benshi bo muri icyo gihugu bari batinye Abayahudi,+ na bo batangiye kwiyita Abayahudi.

9 Ku itariki ya 13 z’ukwezi kwa 12, ari ko kwitwaga Adari,*+ igihe cyo gukora ibyo umwami yavuze n’itegeko yatanze cyari kigeze.+ Uwo munsi abanzi b’Abayahudi bari bizeye kubatsinda ariko ibintu byarahindutse maze Abayahudi aba ari bo batsinda abanzi babo.+ 2 Mu mijyi yo mu ntara zose Umwami Ahasuwerusi+ yategekaga, Abayahudi bishyize hamwe kugira ngo barwanye abashakaga kubagirira nabi. Nta muntu n’umwe washoboye kubatsinda kuko bose bari babatinye.+ 3 Abayobozi b’intara bose, abari bungirije umwami,+ ba guverineri n’abakoreraga umwami bashyigikiye Abayahudi kuko batinyaga Moridekayi. 4 Moridekayi yari yarabaye umuntu ukomeye+ ibwami kandi yagendaga amenyekana mu ntara zose, kubera ko yagendaga arushaho gukomera.

5 Abayahudi bicishije abanzi babo bose inkota babamaraho. Ikintu cyose bifuzaga gukorera abanzi babo barakibakoreye.+ 6 Abayahudi bishe abantu 500 ibwami i Shushani.*+ 7 Nanone bishe Parishandata, Dalufoni, Asipata, 8 Porata, Adaliya, Aridata, 9 Parimashita, Arisayi, Aridayi na Vayizata. 10 Abo bari abahungu 10 ba Hamani, umuhungu wa Hamedata wangaga Abayahudi.+ Ariko bamaze kubica nta kintu na kimwe mu byo bari batunze batwaye.+

11 Uwo munsi babwira umwami umubare w’abantu bari bishwe ibwami i Shushani.

12 Nuko umwami abwira Umwamikazi Esiteri ati: “Ibwami i Shushani Abayahudi bahishe abantu 500 n’abahungu 10 ba Hamani. Ubwo rero urumva ko mu zindi ntara ntegeka bishe benshi kurushaho.+ Ni iki kindi wifuza? Kimbwire rwose ndakiguha. Ese hari ikindi wifuza kunsaba? Icyo unsaba cyose ndakiguha.” 13 Esiteri aramusubiza ati: “Mwami niba ubyemeye,+ wemerere Abayahudi bari i Shushani ejo bazirwaneho nk’uko birwanyeho uyu munsi+ kandi abahungu 10 ba Hamani bamanikwe ku giti.”+ 14 Umwami ategeka ko bikorwa bityo. Nuko itegeko ritangwa i Shushani maze abahungu 10 ba Hamani baramanikwa.

15 Abayahudi bari i Shushani bongera kwishyira hamwe ku itariki ya 14 z’ukwezi kwa Adari*+ maze bica abantu 300 i Shushani, ariko ntibagira ikintu cyabo batwara.

16 Abandi Bayahudi bo mu ntara umwami yategekaga na bo bishyize hamwe kugira ngo birwaneho.+ Bikijije abanzi babo,+ bica abantu 75.000 ariko ntibagira ikintu cyabo batwara. 17 Icyo gihe hari ku itariki ya 13 z’ukwezi kwa Adari. Nuko ku itariki ya 14 Abayahudi bararuhuka, bakoresha ibirori kandi barishima.

18 Abayahudi b’i Shushani bishyize hamwe ku itariki ya 13+ n’iya 14+ kugira ngo birwaneho maze ku itariki ya 15 bararuhuka, bakoresha ibirori kandi barishima. 19 Ariko ku itariki ya 14 z’ukwezi kwa Adari ni bwo Abayahudi bo mu yindi mijyi bagize umunsi w’ibirori no kwishima. Wari umunsi mukuru+ kandi cyari igihe cyo kohererezanya ibyokurya.+

20 Moridekayi+ yandika ibyo bintu maze yoherereza amabaruwa Abayahudi bose bo mu ntara zose Umwami Ahasuwerusi yategekaga, zaba iza hafi n’iza kure. 21 Yabategetse ko ku itariki ya 14 n’iya 15 z’ukwezi kwa Adari, buri mwaka bagombaga kugira umunsi mukuru. 22 Kuri iyo minsi Abayahudi batsinze abanzi babo kandi uko kwezi kwababereye ibihe by’ibyishimo aho kugira agahinda, kubabera igihe cy’ibirori aho kuba igihe cyo kurira.+ Bagombaga kujya bagira ibirori, bakishima kandi bakohererezanya ibyokurya, bagaha n’abakene impano.

23 Abayahudi bemera ko bazajya bagira iyo minsi mikuru buri mwaka kandi bagakora ibyo Moridekayi yari yabandikiye. 24 Ibyo byari gutuma Abayahudi bahora bibuka ko Hamani+ umuhungu wa Hamedata w’Umwagagi+ wangaga Abayahudi bose, yari yarateguye umugambi mubi wo kubica akabamaraho+ kandi ko yari yarakoze ubufindo*+ kugira ngo abatere ubwoba kandi abice abamare. 25 Ariko igihe Esiteri yajyaga kureba umwami, umwami yahise yandika itegeko rigira riti:+ “Ibibi yashakaga gukorera Abayahudi+ abe ari we bibaho.” Nuko Hamani n’abahungu be bamanikwa ku giti.+ 26 Ni cyo cyatumye iyo minsi bayita Purimu,* bisobanura ubufindo.+ Nuko bitewe n’ibyo Moridekayi yari yabandikiye byose, ibyo biboneye n’ibyababayeho, 27 biyemeza ko bo, abari kuzabakomokaho n’abandi bose bari kwifatanya na bo,+ bari kujya bagira iyo minsi mikuru ibiri kandi bagakora ibintu byose bari bandikiwe byasabwaga gukorwa kuri iyo minsi mikuru, buri mwaka no ku matariki yari yashyizweho. 28 Abantu bo mu bihe byose, n’imiryango yose, n’abo mu ntara zose n’imijyi yose, bagombaga kujya bibuka iyo minsi kandi ikababera iminsi mikuru. Abayahudi ntibagombaga kureka kwizihiza iminsi mikuru ya Purimu kandi n’abari kuzabakomokaho ntibagombaga kuyibagirwa.

29 Umwamikazi Esiteri umukobwa wa Abihayili, na Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi bakoresheje ububasha bari bafite, bandika ibaruwa ya kabiri yemezaga ko Abayahudi bagomba kujya bizihiza iminsi mikuru ya Purimu. 30 Moridekayi yoherereje amabaruwa Abayahudi bose bo mu ntara 127+ Umwami Ahasuwerusi yategekaga.+ Ayo mabaruwa yari arimo amagambo y’ukuri kandi avuga iby’amahoro. 31 Ayo mabaruwa yanemezaga ko bagira iyo minsi mikuru ya Purimu ku matariki yashyizweho nk’uko Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi n’Umwamikazi Esiteri bari babibategetse.+ Nanone bo n’abari kuzabakomokaho bari kujya bakora ibyo bari biyemeje,+ harimo kwigomwa kurya no kunywa+ kandi bagasenga binginga.+ 32 Itegeko rya Esiteri ni ryo ryemeje ibyari kujya bikorwa ku minsi ya Purimu,+ nuko ryandikwa mu gitabo.

10 Umwami Ahasuwerusi ategeka ko abari batuye mu gihugu n’abari batuye mu birwa byo mu nyanja bazajya bakora imirimo y’agahato.

2 Ibintu bikomeye byose yakoze kubera ububasha yari afite n’inkuru isobanura ukuntu yazamuye+ Moridekayi+ mu ntera, byanditswe mu gitabo cy’ibyabaye+ mu gihe cy’ubutegetsi bw’abami b’Abamedi n’Abaperesi.+ 3 Moridekayi w’Umuyahudi yari uwa kabiri ku Mwami Ahasuwerusi. Yari afite umwanya ukomeye mu Bayahudi kandi baramwubahaga cyane. Yaharaniraga inyungu za bene wabo kandi agakora uko ashoboye ngo ababakomokaho bamererwe neza.*