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

Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),

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

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

3 I n 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.

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

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

He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.

5 W hen 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.

When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

6 T here 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.

There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.

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

They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.

8 D rinking 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.

In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

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

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

10 O n 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,

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 eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

11 t o 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.

to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.

12 B ut 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.

But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.

13 T hen 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.

Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;

14 T hese 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.

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 H e 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?”

“What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”

16 T hen 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.

Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.

17 F or 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.’

For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’

18 T his 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.

Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.

19 I f 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.

“If it please the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.

20 T hen 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.”

When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”

21 W hat was said pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan said.

This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

22 S o 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.

for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.