¹⁰ On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits^(A) from wine,^(B) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,^(C) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— ¹¹ to bring^(D) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty^(E) to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. ¹² But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.^(F)

¹⁹ “Therefore, if it pleases the king,^(A) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,^(B) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. ²⁰ Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”