[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 to all his princes and his servants; the power of
Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before
him; [4] when he showed 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 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 hangings of]
white [cloth], [of] green, and [of] blue, fastened with cords of fine linen
and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold
and silver, on a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
[7] They gave them drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one
from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the
king. [8] The drinking was according to the law; none could compel: for so
the king had appointed to all the officers 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 chamberlains who ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus
the king, [11] to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown
royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was
beautiful to look on. [12] But the queen Vashti refused to come at the
king`s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very angry,
and his anger burned in him. [13] Then the king said to the wise men, who
knew the times, (for so was the king`s manner toward all 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 chamberlains? [16] Memucan
answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not done
wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples
who are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. [17] For this deed of
the queen will come abroad to all women, to make their husbands
contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus
commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn`t
come. [18] This day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard
of the deed of the queen say [the like] to all the king`s princes. So [will
there arise] much contempt and wrath. [19] If it please the king, let there
go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws
of the Persians and the Medes, that it not be altered, that Vashti come no
more 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 shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all
the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small. [21]
The saying 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 the writing of it, and to every
people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own
house, and should speak according to the language of his people.
