1:1In the days of Ahasuerus, who reigned from India as far as Ethiopia over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, when he sat on the throne of his kingdom, Susa, the city of his kingdom, was the beginning. 1:3So in the third year of his rule he made a great banquet for all his princes and his servants, the bravest of the Persians, and the renowned of the Medes, and the governors of the provinces, in his presence, so that he might show the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the greatness and the boasting of his power, for a long time, namely for a hundred and eighty days.
1:5And when the days of the banquet were being completed, he invited all the people who were found in Susa, from the greatest to the least: and he ordered a banquet to be prepared for seven days in the entrance-court of the garden, and of the grove which had been planted by royal care and hand. 1:6And there were hanging on every side hangings of sky-blue colour, and of fine flax, and of violet, held up by cords of linen and of purple, which had been inserted into rings of ivory, and were supported by marble columns. 1:6Couches too of gold and of silver had been set out upon a pavement laid with emerald and Parian stone: which a painting of wonderful variety adorned.
1:7And those who had been invited were drinking from golden cups, and the foods were brought in on vessels of one kind after another. 1:7Wine also, as was worthy of royal magnificence, was set out, abundant and choice. 1:8Nor was there anyone to compel the unwilling to drink, but just as the king had appointed, setting individual men from his princes over the tables, so that each one might take what he wished. 1:9Queen Vashti also made a banquet of women in the palace, where King Ahasuerus had been accustomed to stay. 1:10And so on the seventh day, when the king was rather merry, and after excessive drinking had grown warm with wine, he commanded Maumam, and Bazatha, and Harbona, and Bagatha, and Abgatha, and Zethar, and Charchas, the seven eunuchs who served in his sight, that they should bring in Queen Vashti before the king, a diadem having been placed upon her head, so that he might show to all the peoples and princes her beauty: for she was very beautiful.
1:12She refused, and scorned to come at the command of the king which he had sent through the eunuchs. 1:12Wherefore the king, angered, and kindled with excessive fury, asked the wise men, who by royal custom were always at his side, and by whose counsel he did all things, men knowing the laws and the rights of the forefathers (now the first and nearest were Charsena, and Sethar, and Admatha, and Tharsis, and Mares, and Marsana, and Mamuchan, seven leaders of the Persians and of the Medes, who saw the face of the king, and were accustomed to sit first after him): to what sentence Queen Vashti should be subject, who had been unwilling to do the command of King Ahasuerus which he had sent through the eunuchs.
1:16And Mamuchan answered, the king and the princes hearing: "Not only has Queen Vashti wronged the king, but also all the peoples and princes who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 1:17For the word of the queen will go out to all women, so that they despise their husbands, and say: 'King Ahasuerus ordered that Queen Vashti should come in to him, and she would not.' 1:18And by this example all the wives of the princes of the Persians and of the Medes will think little of the commands of their husbands: wherefore the king's indignation is just. 1:19If it pleases you, let an edict go out from your face, and let it be written according to the law of the Persians and of the Medes, which it is unlawful to pass over, that Vashti should by no means come in to the king any more, but that another, who is better than she, should receive her kingdom.
1:20And let this be made known through all the empire of your provinces (which is very wide), and let all wives, both of the greater and of the lesser, pay honour to their husbands." 1:21His counsel pleased the king and the princes: and the king did according to the counsel of Mamuchan, and sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom, as each nation could hear and read, in different tongues and letters, that men should be the rulers and the greater in their houses: and that this should be made known through all the peoples.