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Chapter 1
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1
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Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this
is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia,
over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) |
2
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That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on
the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, |
3
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In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto
all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia
and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being
before him: |
4
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When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and
the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an
hundred and fourscore days. |
5
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And when these days were expired, the king made a feast
unto all the people that were present in Shushan the
palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the
court of the garden of the king's palace; |
6
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Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened
with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and
pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver,
upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black,
marble. |
7
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And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels
being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance,
according to the state of the king. |
8
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And the drinking was according to the law; none did
compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers
of his house, that they should do according to every
man's pleasure. |
9
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Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in
the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. |
10
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On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was
merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,
Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains
that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, |
11
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To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the
crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty:
for she was fair to look on. |
12
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But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's
commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king
very wroth, and his anger burned in him. |
13
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Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the
times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that
knew law and judgment: |
14
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And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha,
Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes
of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which
sat the first in the kingdom;) |
15
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What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to
law, because she hath not performed the commandment of
the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? |
16
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And Memucan answered before the king and the princes,
Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only,
but also to all the princes, and to all the people that
are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. |
17
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For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all
women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their
eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded
Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she
came not. |
18
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Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this
day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of
the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much
contempt and wrath. |
19
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If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment
from him, and let it be written among the laws of the
Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That
Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the
king give her royal estate unto another that is better
than she. |
20
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And when the king's decree which he shall make shall
be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,)
all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both
to great and small. |
21
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And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and
the king did according to the word of Memucan: |
22
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For he sent letters into all the king's provinces,
into every province according to the writing thereof,
and to every people after their language, that every
man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should
be published according to the language of every people. |
