Esther, Chapter 1:
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Verses from Esther, Chapter 1 of the book of Esther in the Bible.
Queen Vashti is deposed
- 1. In the time of King Xerxes, who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia,
- 2. when he was in his royal palace at Susa,
- 3. in the third year of his reign, he offered a banquet to all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes and nobles of the provinces were present.
- 4. For one hundred and eighty days he displayed the wealth and splendor of his kingdom, and the greatness and majesty of his glory.
- 5. After this period, the king gave a banquet that lasted seven days in the inner garden of the palace, for all the people of Susa, from the greatest to the least.
- 6. The garden was decorated with white and blue curtains, tied with white and purple linen ropes to silver pillars. The seats were of gold and silver, on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other precious stones.
- 7. Royal wine was served in golden cups, and there was a great variety of cups, according to the king's generosity.
- 8. The king ordered that everyone could drink freely, as he had instructed the stewards to serve abundantly.
- 9. Meanwhile, Queen Vashti was also hosting a banquet for the women in King Xerxes' palace.
- 10. On the seventh day, when the king's heart was gladdened by wine, he ordered the seven officers who served in his presence - Meumã, Bizta, Harbona, Bigtá, Abagta, Zetar and Carcas -
- 11. that they bring Queen Vashti before him wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the nobles and the people, for she was extremely beautiful.
- 12. But when the officials conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to appear, which made the king angry and indignant.
- 13. Then the king consulted experts in law and law, as it was customary to seek advice from those who understood these matters.
- 14. The wise men who were close to the king were called: Carsena, Setar, Adamata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had direct access to the king and were the main ones in the kingdom.
- 15. The king asked them: “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, who did not obey the order of King Xerxes transmitted by the officials?”
- 16. Then Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti did not commit an offense only against the king, but against all the nobles and people of the provinces of King Xerxes.
- 17. For the queen's behavior will be known to all women, and they will despise their husbands, saying: 'King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she refused.'
- 18. So today the noble women of Persia and Media, who hear of the queen's behavior, will act in the same way, and there will be contempt and indignation in every house.
- 19. Therefore, if it pleases the king, issue a royal decree, a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed, proclaiming that Vashti will never again appear before King Xerxes. Give the position of queen to another woman who is better than her.
- 20. When the royal decree is proclaimed in all parts of the kingdom, all women will respect their husbands, from the noblest to the humblest.”
- 21. The advice of the king and the princes pleased the king, and he followed the advice of Memucan.
- 22. He sent letters to every province of the kingdom, to every province in its own language and to every people in its own script, proclaiming that every man should be lord in his own house.
