1Now in the days of King Ahasuerus (his Greek name was Xerxes, who reigned over a hundred twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia),
2And sat upon his throne in Shushan, the palace,
3In the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the powerful of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him,
4When he had shown the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, a hundred eighty days in all.
5And when these days were fulfilled, Ahasuerus made a feast for all the people who were present in Shushan, the palace, from the greatest to the least, for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;
6Where there were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches of gold and silver, set upon a pavement of red, blue, white, and black marble.
7And drinks were served in goblets of gold (each goblet different from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
8And the drinking was according to the law; with no one compelled to drink. For so the king had directed each official of his house, to accommodate each guest’s pleasure.
9And Vashti, the queen, also made a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains (eunuchs) who served in the presence of Ahasuerus, the king,
11To bring Vashti, the queen, before the king wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and the princes; for she was lovely to see.
12But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's bidding, delivered by his chamberlains; therefore, the king was enraged, and his anger burned in him.
13Then the king asked the wise men, who knew the times (for so was the king's custom toward those that knew law and judgment;
14And those closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king, and ranked highest in the kingdom),
15“What shall we do with Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of the King Ahasuerus, by the chamberlains?”
16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti, the queen, has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.
17For the behavior of the queen shall become known to all women, so that they shall look with contempt upon their husbands, when they hear it reported, “The King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti, the queen, to come before him, but she did not”.
18The ladies of Persia and Media, who have heard of the behavior of the queen, shall respond in a similar manner to all the king's princes. There shall arise much contempt and anger.
19If 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, that it be not altered, that Vashti shall no more come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she.
20And when the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his vast empire, all the wives shall give honor to their husbands, both great and small”.
21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan;
22For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, according to its writing, and to every people in their own language, that every man should be master and rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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