Esther 1 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
This is what happened during the reign of — the same who ruled over one hundred and twenty-seven stretching from India all the way to Ethiopia.
In those days, when King Ahasuerus sat on his in the at
in the third year of his reign, he threw a massive for all his officials and servants. The military commanders of and the nobles, and the governors of the provinces were all there.
He showed off the incredible of his kingdom and the stunning splendor of his greatness for a long time — one and
When those days were over, the king threw another banquet — this one lasting seven days — for everyone in the fortified palace of Susa, from the most powerful to the least. It was held in the of the royal palace.
There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple yarn to silver rings on marble columns. Gold and silver couches were set on a mosaic pavement of marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.
Drinks were served in each one different from the next, and the flowed freely — the king spared no expense.
The rule for drinking was: no The king had instructed every wine steward to let each guest drink as much or as little as they wanted.
Queen also threw a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
On the seventh day, when the king was from the he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas — the seven who personally served King Ahasuerus —
to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing her so he could show off her beauty to the people and the officials — because she was stunningly beautiful.
But Queen Vashti to come at the king's command delivered by the eunuchs. The king was furious — his
The king consulted his who the — it was standard procedure for the king to consult legal and constitutional experts.
His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan — the seven officials of Persia and Media who had to the and held the highest positions in the kingdom.
"According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti for refusing to obey the direct command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?"
Memucan spoke up in front of the king and the officials: "Queen Vashti hasn't just wronged the king — she's wronged every official and every person in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
Because here's what's going to happen: every woman in the kingdom is going to hear what the queen did, and they'll start disrespecting their own husbands. They'll say, 'King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to come to him, and she refused.'
By the end of today, every noblewoman in Persia and Media who hears about the queen's behavior will be talking back to their husbands the same way. There will be no end to the disrespect and anger.
If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out — and let it be the of and so it can be — that Vashti may again come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to someone better than her.
When the king's decree is proclaimed throughout his entire vast kingdom, every woman will respect her husband, whether he's powerful or ordinary."
The king and his officials liked this idea, so the king did exactly what Memucan suggested.
He sent letters to every province in the kingdom — each one written in the local script and language — declaring that every man should be of own and speak the language of own people.