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.
26. Before the rays of the sun were scattered across the sky, while the king was receiving his friends, Hermon approached him and invited him to come out, indicating that the king’s desire was ready to be put into action.
27. When he heard this, the king was surprised at the unusual invitation to come out from the palace. He was completely overcome by confusion, and he asked what it was that they had worked so hard to prepare for him.
28. Now this was God’s doing, the God who is Lord over all things, who had placed in the king’s mind forgetfulness of the schemes that he had previously devised.
29. Hermon and all the king’s friends pointed out, "The beasts and the forces have been prepared, Your Majesty, according to your careful plan."
30. But at these words the king was filled with extreme wrath because the providence of God had scattered every thought of his concerning these matters. He glared threateningly at Hermon and said,
31. "If your parents or children were here, I would have them prepared as a lavish meal for wild animals instead of the Jews. They are blameless as far as I’m concerned, and have demonstrated constant loyalty above all others toward my ancestors.