19. But Hermon pointed out that he had fully carried out the orders at night, and his friends confirmed his story.
20. So the king, with a savagery worse than the tyrant Phalaris, said that the Jews could be grateful for today’s sleep, but "Tomorrow," he said, "without delay, prepare the elephants in the same way for the destruction of the unseemly Jews."
21. So the king spoke, and when all those present gave their unanimous approval readily and joyfully, they all departed for their own homes.
22. But they didn’t spend their night sleeping so much as devising all kinds of insults for those who seemed to be doomed.
23. By dawn, when the roosters began to crow, Hermon had outfitted the beasts and started them moving along in the great colonnade.
24. Crowds of people from throughout the city gathered for the most sorry spectacle and were eagerly awaiting the early morning.
25. The Jews were at their last gasp, since time was short. With tearful prayer and mournful sounds, they stretched out their hands to heaven and begged the supreme God to help them again quickly.