Esther 1:1-9

Modern English Version

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, also called Xerxes, who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, ² in those days, the palace where King Ahasuerus sat on the royal throne of his kingdom was in Susa. ³ In the third year of his reign, he prepared a feast for all his officials and his servants. So the army commanders of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the officials of the provinces were before him.

⁴ He unveiled the riches of his glorious kingdom and the costly luxury of his greatness for many days, one hundred and eighty days. ⁵ When these days were completed, the king prepared a seven-day feast for all the people present, from the greatest to the least, in the citadel of Susa. This feast was in the courtyard garden of the king’s palace ⁶ where white and blue linen hangings were fastened with cords of white and purple linen to silver rings and columns of marble. The gold- and silver-plated couches were on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. ⁷ They provided drinks in golden vessels (the vessels being diverse one from another) and royal wine in abundance, by the expense of the king. ⁸ In accordance with the law, the drinking was not mandatory, because the king had directed all the stewards of his house to serve according to every man’s pleasure.

⁹ Additionally, Vashti the queen prepared a feast for the women in the royal house of King Ahasuerus.