[Today’s English Version B.2; Revised Standard Version 13.2]

Here begins the text of the letter itself. The language of Revised Standard Version reflects the formality and the weight of the king’s royal style that is remindful of oratory. Today’s English Version simplifies the vocabulary and the style to conform to common language practice. As has been stated earlier in this Handbook, translators need to pay close attention to language style and level of language. They need to adopt styles that accurately convey to their readers the historical and social context of the book of Esther. This letter is an example of very formal vocabulary and grammatical style.

As the rather literal Revised Standard Version translation indicates, in Greek this verse is a long, complicated sentence. Today’s English Version breaks it up into three sentences and repeats the verb I have determined (“I resolved” and “I determined”). The parenthetical comment proclaiming the king’s humility and noble motivation becomes the second sentence (so also Bible en français courant), while New Revised Standard Version places this in parenthesis. New Jerusalem Bible includes this clause as part of the king’s resolution, that is, “I have resolved never to be carried away by the insolence of power, but always to rule with moderation and clemency.”

Master of the whole world: literally “of the whole inhabited world.” Xerxes did rule over the whole world that was known to him at that time, with the exception of Greece. Inscriptions show that he called himself “King of the whole world.”

Not elated with presumption of authority: this rendering is faithful to the style of the Greek, but it is heavy English. Compare New American Bible: “I determined not to be carried away with the sense of power.”

Reasonably and with kindness: the Greek word rendered reasonably in Revised Standard Version also includes the idea of “fairness,” or “equity.” Compare Revised English Bible: “not in the arrogance of power, but because my rule is equitable and mild.” See also New American Bible: “but always to deal fairly and with clemency.” Kindness may also be rendered “gentleness.”

In lasting tranquillity means a life “permanently free from disturbance” (Revised English Bible). The word tranquillity renders an adjective that means “waveless” or “calm.” It is used here metaphorically.

Peaceable: the king wanted to make his kingdom “tame” or “civilized” (so Today’s English Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

Open to travel throughout all its extent refers not to the physical condition of the roads but to the element of safety and to the freedom to travel, even in the far reaches of the empire. New Jerusalem Bible emphasizes the latter aspect: “offering … free transit from end to end.” Open to travel is literally “passable” and means “safe for travel” (Today’s English Version, Revised English Bible). This can be restated, for example, as “that one could travel freely” or “where people would be able to travel without fear.”

The peace: the Greek word used here is eirēnē “peace” (see comments on Hebrew shalom in 2.11; 9.30). Although the Greek says literally “the peace desired by all men,” the reference is to “everyone” (Today’s English Version) or “all people” (New Revised Standard Version).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on the Book of Esther — Deuterocanon: The Greek Text. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .