1 I t was in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces.

This is what happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who ruled over 127 parts of the nation from India to Ethiopia.

2 I n those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was in Shushan or Susa in the palace or castle,

In those days King Ahasuerus sat on the king’s throne in the city of Susa.

3 I n the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his princes and his courtiers. The chief officers of the Persian and Median army and the nobles and governors of the provinces were there before him

In the third year of his rule, he gave a special supper for all his princes and leaders. The army captains of Persia and Media, the important men and princes of the many parts of the country were there with him.

4 W hile he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor and excellence of his majesty for many days, even 180 days.

For 180 days he showed the great riches and honor and power that were his as king of the nation.

5 A nd when these days were completed, the king made a feast for all the people present in Shushan the capital, both great and small, a seven-day feast in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

When all the days were over, the king gave a supper lasting seven days for all the people from the greatest to the least who were in the city of Susa where he ruled. The supper was given in the open space of the garden of the king’s special house.

6 T here were hangings of fine white cloth, of green and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings or rods and marble pillars. The couches of gold and silver rested on a pavement of porphyry, white marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.

There were curtains of fine white and blue linen held by ropes of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble pillars. There were seats of gold and silver on a floor made of small glass-like pieces, marble, mother-of-pearl, and stones of much worth.

7 D rinks were served in different kinds of golden goblets, and there was royal wine in abundance, according to the liberality of the king.

Drinks were served in different kinds of gold cups, and there was much wine, because the king was very able and willing to give it.

8 A nd drinking was according to the law; no one was compelled to drink, for the king had directed all the officials of his palace to serve only as each guest desired.

Drinking was done by the law. No one was made to drink. The king had told all the workmen of his house that they should give each person what he wanted.

9 A lso Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

Queen Vashti also gave a special supper for the women in the beautiful house that belonged to King Ahasuerus.

10 O n the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who ministered to King Ahasuerus as attendants,

On the seventh day the heart of the king was happy with wine. And he told Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven servants who served King Ahasuerus,

11 T o bring Queen Vashti before the king, with her royal crown, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to behold.

to bring Queen Vashti to the king with her crown. He wanted to show her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.

12 B ut Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

But Queen Vashti would not come when the king sent his servants to bring her. So the king became very angry and his anger burned within him.

13 T hen the king spoke to the wise men who knew the times—for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were familiar with law and judgment—

Then the king spoke to the wise men who understood the times. For it was the king’s way to speak with all who knew law and what was right and fair.

14 T hose next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who were in the king’s presence and held first place in the kingdom.

These men next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media. They were allowed to visit with the king and were next to the king in the nation.

15 A ccording to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not done the bidding of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?

He asked them, “By the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey what King Ahasuerus sent the servants to tell her?”

16 A nd Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not only done wrong to the king but also to all the princes and to all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

Then Memucan said in front of the king and the princes, “Queen Vashti has done wrong not only to the king, but to all the princes and all the people in the lands of King Ahasuerus.

17 F or this deed of the queen will become known to all women, making their husbands contemptible in their eyes, since they will say, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.

For what the queen has done will become known to all the women, and will make them hate their husbands. They will say, ‘King Ahasuerus told Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she would not come.’

18 T his very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will be telling it to all the king’s princes. So contempt and wrath in plenty will arise.

This very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard what the queen has done will speak in the same way to all the king’s princes. And there will be much hate and anger.

19 I f it pleases the king, let a royal command go forth from him and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and Medes, so that it may not be changed, that Vashti is to come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.

If it pleases the king, let word be sent by him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media which cannot be changed, that Vashti should not come again to King Ahasuerus. Let the king give the place of queen to another who is better than she.

20 S o when the king’s decree is made and proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, extensive as it is, all wives will give honor to their husbands, high and low.

Then the king’s word will be heard through all his great nation, and all women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least.”

21 T his advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did what Memucan proposed.

What was said pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan said.

22 H e sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each in its own script and to every people in their own language, saying that every man should rule in his own house and speak there in the language of his own people.

So he sent letters to all parts of the king’s nation, to each land in its own writing and to every people in their own language. The letters said that every man should rule in his own house and speak there in the language of his own people.