26. Mordecai's letter had said that the Jews must celebrate for two days because of what had happened to them. This time of celebration is called Purim, which is the Hebrew word for the lots that were cast.
27. Now every year the Jews set aside these two days for having parties and celebrating, just as they were told to do.
28. From now on, all Jewish families must remember to celebrate Purim on these two days each year.
29. Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, wanted to give full authority to Mordecai's letter about the Festival of Purim, and with his help she wrote a letter about the feast.
30. Copies of this letter were sent to Jews in the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of King Xerxes. In the letter they said:We pray that all of you will live in peace and safety.
31. You and your descendants must always remember to celebrate Purim at the time and in the way that we have said. You must also follow the instructions that we have given you about mourning and going without eating.
32. These laws about Purim are written by the authority of Queen Esther.