7 But with persistent cries and tears they all called upon their almighty Lord and merciful God and father, who rules over every power. They continued to pray
8 that he would turn away the evil plot against them and rescue them with a glorious display of power from their impending fate.
9 So their prayer rose earnestly to heaven.
10 Now when Hermon had made the savage elephants drunk so that they were full of a great quantity of wine and drugged with frankincense, he came to the palace courtyard early in the morning to report to the king.
11 But God sent to the king a portion of sleep, the precious creation from before recorded time, granted night and day by the one who gives it generously to whomever he wishes.
12 By the Lord’s doing, the king was overcome by a most pleasant and deep sleep, such that he utterly failed in his unlawful purpose and was completely cheated out of his stubborn plan.
13 And the Jews, having escaped the announced hour, praised their holy God and again prayed that the one who is quickly reconciled to his people would show the might of his exceedingly strong hand to the arrogant Gentiles.