1 After these things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.
2 And all the king's servants who were in the king's gate bowed and reverenced Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow, nor did he show reverence.
3 Then the king's servants who were in the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you transgress the king's commandment?"
4 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow nor show him reverence, then Haman was full of wrath.
6 And he thought it scornful to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had shown him the people of Mordecai. Therefore, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
8 And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; and their laws are different from all people; neither do they keep the king's laws. Therefore, it is not profitable for the king to tolerate them."