[Today’s English Version E.8; Revised Standard Version 16.8]

For the future: this refers to the king’s intentions from the present into the future. It does not refer to a distant future time. It may be translated “in the times from now,” “in the time that is coming,” or “in the days in front.” Some languages will have a special particle of time or expression referring to future time. The verb that will tell what the king will do must use the appropriate tense.

We will take care to render: this may be restated “we will give ourselves to making” or “we will put our hearts into making.” Today’s English Version uses a first person singular pronoun here, understanding the plural pronoun of the Greek text to be a plural of majesty in verses 8-15 (similarly Biblia Dios Habla Hoy).

Quiet and peaceable: these two concepts have been mentioned earlier. “Peace” occurs in 13.2 (B.2), and the word translated quiet here is rendered “untroubled” in 13.7 (B.7). The king comes back to them again to describe how he wants his kingdom to be. The first word is literally “without confusion” (see Septuagint 3.15). The second expression is “with peace” (eirēnē). The basic meaning of “peace” in Greek is “absence of war,” but in this context the king does not seem to be referring to warfare. The meaning may be closer to the Hebrew shalom, which stands for general welfare (see comments on 9.30). In 13.2 (B.2) the king describes this “peace” as being the peace that is desired by everyone. Here he wants the kingdom to be “quiet with peace” for everyone.

For all men: though the Greek says men, in this context both men and women are probably meant. Today’s English Version uses the word “people,” which includes both men and women. Revised English Bible and New Revised Standard Version say “for the benefit of all [people].”

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 .