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1 NOW it came to pass in the days of Akhshirash, who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, 2 In the days when King Akhshirash sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, the mighty men of Persia and Media and the king's nobles and the governors of the provinces being before him. 4 Then he showed them the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and eighty days. 5 And when these days were completed, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; 6 There were curtains of white cotton and wool, and hangings of violet, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble; the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of marble, and the carpets were of fine white linen and silk. 7 And they gave the guests drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being different one from another), and royal wine was in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had commanded to all the stewards of his household, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a great feast for all the women in the royal house which belonged to King Akhshirash. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded the eunuchs, Biztha, Rahbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Terash, Zethar, and Carcash, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Akhshirash the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen be fore the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look upon. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command by the eunuchs; therefore the king was very wroth and his anger burned in him. Esther 1:1-12, Lamsa Bible. Public domain.
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