as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.
Esther 9:22
Surrounding context
9:21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,
9:22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.
9:23 So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them,