The Book of
Esther
1
1 Now
in the days
of Ahasuerus (this
is Ahasuerus who
reigned from India
even to Ethiopia,
over one hundred
twenty-seven provinces),
2 in
those days, when
the King Ahasuerus
sat on the
throne of his
kingdom, which was
in Susa the
palace,
3 in
the third year
of his reign,
he made a
feast for all
his princes and
his servants; the
army of Persia
and Media, the
nobles and princes
of the provinces
being before him.
4 He
displayed the
riches of his
glorious kingdom
and the honor
of his excellent
majesty many days,
even one hundred
eighty days.
5 When
these days were
fulfilled, the
king made a
seven day feast
for all the
people who were
present in Susa
the palace, both
great and small,
in the court
of the garden
of the king’s
palace.
6 There
were hangings of
white and
blue material, fastened with
cords of fine
linen and purple
to silver rings
and marble pillars.
The couches were
of gold and
silver, on a
pavement of red,
white, yellow, and
black marble.
7 They
gave them drinks
in golden vessels
of various kinds,
including royal
wine in abundance,
according to the
bounty of the
king.
8 In
accordance with
the law, the
drinking was
not compulsory; for
so the king
had instructed all
the officials of
his house, that
they should do
according to every
man’s pleasure.
9 Also
Vashti the queen
made a feast
for the women in
the royal house
which belonged to
King Ahasuerus.
10 On
the seventh day,
when the heart
of the king
was merry with
wine, he commanded
Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha,
and Abagtha, Zethar,
and Carcass, the
seven eunuchs who
served in the
presence of Ahasuerus
the king,
11 to bring
Vashti the queen
before the
king wearing the
royal crown, to
show the people
and the princes
her beauty; for
she was beautiful.
12 But
the queen Vashti
refused to come
at the king’s
commandment by the
eunuchs. Therefore the
king was very
angry, and his
anger burned in
him.
13 Then
the king said
to the wise
men, who knew
the times (for
it was the
king’s custom
to consult those
who knew law
and judgment;
14 and
next to him
were Carshena,
Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish,
Meres, Marsena,
and Memucan, the
seven princes of
Persia and Media,
who saw the
king’s face, and
sat first in
the kingdom),
15 “What
shall we do
to Queen Vashti
according to law,
because she has
not done
the bidding of the
King Ahasuerus by
the eunuchs?”
16 Memucan answered before
the king and
the princes, “Vashti
the queen has
not done wrong
to just the
king, but also
to all the
princes, and to
all the people
who are in
all the provinces
of the
King Ahasuerus.
17 For
this deed of
the queen will
become known to
all women, causing them
to show contempt for
their husbands
when it is
reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded
Vashti the queen
to be brought
in before him,
but she didn’t
come.’
18 Today,
the princesses of
Persia and Media
who have heard
of the queen’s
deed will tell
all the king’s
princes. This will
cause much contempt
and wrath.
19 “If it
pleases the king,
let a royal
commandment go
from him, and
let it be
written among the
laws of the
Persians and the
Medes, so that
it cannot be
altered, that
Vashti may never
again come before
King Ahasuerus; and
let the king
give her royal
estate to another
who is better
than she.
20 When
the king’s decree
which he shall
make is published
throughout all his
kingdom (for it
is great), all
the wives will
give their
husbands honor,
both great and
small.”
21 This
advice pleased the
king and the
princes, and the
king did according
to the word
of Memucan:
22 for
he sent letters
into all the
king’s provinces,
into every
province according to
its writing, and
to every people
in their language,
that every man
should rule his
own house,
speaking in the
language of his
own people.