Esther 8:17
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
The king issued a counter-decree that authorized the Jews to defend their lives. Wherever that commandment and decree arrived, in every province and in every city, it was met by the Jews with joy and gladness expressed in feasting and keeping a good day. The celebration spread throughout the provinces as the announcement traveled from place to place. Many among the peoples of the land became Jews themselves, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.