17. When the Jews saw this, they cried out to heaven so loudly that even the nearby valleys echoed, putting the army into a panic.
18. Then the most glorious, almighty, and true God showed forth his holy face and opened the heavenly gates. Two glorified angels of frightful appearance descended, visible to all except the Jews.
19. They opposed the power of the enemies, filled them with confusion and dread, and made them freeze in their tracks as with shackles.
20. Even the body of the king gave a slight shudder, and he forgot his sullen arrogance.
21. The elephants turned back on the armed forces that were following them, and they began to trample and destroy them.
22. The king’s anger was changed into pity and tears because of the schemes that he had previously devised.
23. When he heard the loud cry and saw the Jews all lying on the ground awaiting destruction, he wept and violently threatened his friends, saying,
24. "You have used your power badly and acted more savagely than tyrants. You are now attempting to rob even me, your benefactor, of my rule and my life. Secretly you devise things that are of no advantage to the kingdom.
25. Who has driven from their homes those who have faithfully commanded the fortresses of our country? Who has senselessly gathered them all in this place?
26. Who has so unjustly rewarded those who from the beginning differed from all the nations in their goodwill toward us in every way, and who often have taken upon themselves the worst human dangers by mistreating them on every side?
27. Release them from those undeserved chains! Send them in peace back to their homes, and seek forgiveness for the deeds that have been done.
28. Free the children of the almighty, living God of heaven, who from the days of our ancestors until now has given our kingdom constant and notable stability."
29. So the king said these things, and the Jews, who were released immediately, praised their holy God and savior, since they had just now escaped death.
30. Then the king went back into the city and called for the official in charge of the treasury. He ordered him to supply the Jews with wines and everything else needed for a seven-day festival. The king decided that the Jews should celebrate their rescue with all joy in the same place where they thought they would meet destruction.
31. So the people who previously had been disgraced and stood near death—at its very brink!—prepared for a festival of deliverance instead of a bitter and most mournful fate. The place that had been prepared for their ruin and burial was joyfully divided up among people in celebration.
32. They stopped singing their sad songs of lament and took up an ancient hymn in praise of their rescuer, the wonder-working God. They threw aside all weeping and wailing and instead sang songs in organized groups as a sign of peaceful joy.
33. The king also assembled a huge banquet because of these events. He kept giving generous praise to heaven for the remarkable rescue that he had experienced.
34. Those who had previously believed that the Jews would be destroyed and would become food for the birds, and who had drawn up the lists of their names and goods with delight, now groaned. For they were clothed with shame, and the fire of their boldness had been thoroughly doused.