as the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
for in tho daies þe Jewis vengiden hem silf of her enemyes, and morenyng and sorewe weren turned in to gladnesse and ioie; and þese daies schulden be daies of feestis, and of gladnesse, and þat þei schulden sende ech to oþer partis of metis, and yyue litle yiftis to pore men.