Esther 1

1Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces),

1This happened during the time of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.

2that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

2In those days, King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the fortress of Shushan.

3in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;

3In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces were all there with him.

4when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and fourscore days.

4For a long time—180 days—he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent glory of his majesty.

5And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

5When those days were over, the king gave another banquet for seven days in the garden courtyard of the royal palace for everyone in the fortress of Shushan, from the most important to the least important.

6There 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, upon a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.

6The courtyard was decorated with white, green, and blue linens attached with purple cords and silver rings to marble pillars. There were gold and silver couches on a mosaic floor made of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

7And 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.

7Drinks were served in gold cups, each one different from the others, and the king provided an endless supply of royal wine.

8And 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.

8By the king's order, the drinking had no limits; he had instructed all his palace officials to let every man drink as much or as little as he wanted.

9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

9Queen Vashti also gave a banquet 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, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

10On the seventh day, when King Ahasuerus was in high spirits from the wine, he gave an order to the seven eunuchs who served him: Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas.

11to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on.

11He told them to bring Queen Vashti to him, wearing her royal crown, so he could show off her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was very beautiful.

12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

12But when the eunuchs delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Because of this, the king became furious and burned with anger.

13Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment;

13Then the king spoke to the wise men who understood the patterns of the times, for it was his habit to consult experts in law and justice.

14and the next unto 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),

14The officials closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven princes of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and held the highest positions in the kingdom.

15What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

15'According to the law, what should be done to Queen Vashti?' he asked. 'She has not obeyed the command of King Ahasuerus sent through the eunuchs.'

16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

16Then Memucan spoke in front of the king and the princes: 'Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but also all the officials and all the people in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto 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 came not.

17For what the queen has done will become known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt. They will say, "King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come."

18And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king’s princes. So will there arise much contempt and wrath.

18This very day, the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen's behavior will talk to all the king’s officials in the same way. This will lead to endless contempt and anger.

19If 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 be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

19If it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and have it written into the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be changed. It should state that Vashti may never again enter the presence of King Ahasuerus and that the king will give her royal position to someone better than she.

20And 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.

20When this decree is heard throughout the whole vast empire, all women will respect their husbands, from the most important to the least important.'

21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

21The king and the princes liked this advice, and the king did what Memucan suggested.

22for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, 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.

22He sent letters to all parts of the empire, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be the master in his own house and speak the language of his own people.