Esther 1

(1) It happened in the days of Ahashveirosh—that Ahashveirosh who was king over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. (2) In those days, when King Ahashveirosh sat upon his royal throne in the fortified city of Shushan, (3) in the third year of his reign, he made a banquet for all his officials and servants--the administration of Persia and Media, the nobles and the governors of the provinces who served before him--(4) where he displayed the vast riches of his kingdom and the splendid glory of his majesty for many days, 180 days in all.

(5) At the completion of these days, the king made a banquet for all the people who lived in the fortified city of Shushan, both great and small, for seven days in the court of the king’s palace garden. (6) [There were hangings of] white cotton and blue wool, attached by cords of fine linen and purple wool to silver rods and alabaster columns; and there were couches of gold and silver on a pavement of marble, alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mosaics. (7) Drinks were served in golden vessels, of all different types, with much royal wine, on the king's authority. (8) And the rule for the drinking was, “No restrictions!” For the king had given orders to every palace steward to do as each person wished. (9) Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace belonging to King Ahashveirosh.

(10) On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he told Mehuman, Bizzetha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Karcas, the seven eunuchs in attendance on King Ahashveirosh, (11) to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing a royal crown, to display her beauty to the peoples and the officials, for she was very attractive. (12) But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command, as delivered by the eunuchs, and the king was furious and his rage burned within him.

(13) Then the king said to the sages who understood the times (for this was the royal practice toward all who knew law and procedure)--his closest advisers being Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memuchan, the seven ministers of Persia and Media who were present before the king and sat first in the kingdom--(15) regarding the law to be applied to Queen Vashti for failing to obey the command of King Ahashveirosh, as delivered by the eunuchs.

(16) Then Memuchan said in the presence of the king and the ministers, “Queen Vashti has committed an offense not only against the king but also against all the officials and against all the peoples in all the provinces of King Ahashveirosh. (17) For the story of the Queen will go forth and make all wives despise their husbands when they say that King Ahashveirosh ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come. (18) Now this very day the leading ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the story of the Queen will tell it to all the King's officials, causing all sorts of disrespect and outrage! (19) If it please the King, let a royal command go forth from him, and let it be written into the laws of Persia and Media, and never changed, that Vashti shall not enter the presence of King Ahashveirosh, and let the King give her position as queen to a rival who is more worthy than she is. (20) And the decree that the King will make shall be heard throughout his kingdom, although it is huge; and all wives will give honor to their husbands, both great and small.”

(21) The plan was pleasing to the king and the ministers, and the king did as Memuchan spoke. (22) He sent scrolls to all the provinces of the king--to every province in its own script, and to every nation in its own language--so that every man should be in charge of his own home, as he speaks in the language of his own people.