1 Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who
reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven
provinces), 2 that in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the
throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 in the third
year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the
power 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 Shushan the palace, both great and small,
in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were hangings
of white, green, 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 with 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 the 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 the 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 please 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.
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