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Banquetes del rey Asuero

Aconteció en los días de Asuero[a](A), el rey Asuero que reinó desde la India hasta Etiopía[b] sobre ciento veintisiete provincias(B), que en aquellos días, estando el rey Asuero reinando desde su trono real(C), en la fortaleza de Susa(D), en el año tercero de su reinado, ofreció un banquete para todos sus príncipes y servidores(E), estando en su presencia los oficiales del ejército de Persia y Media, los nobles y los príncipes de sus provincias. Y[c] él les mostró las riquezas de la gloria de su reino y el magnífico esplendor de su majestad durante muchos días, ciento ochenta días. Cuando se cumplieron estos días, el rey ofreció un banquete de siete días para todo el pueblo que se encontraba en la fortaleza de Susa, desde el mayor hasta el menor, en el atrio del jardín del palacio del rey(F). Había colgaduras de lino blanco y violeta, sostenidas por cordones de lino fino y púrpura en anillos de plata y columnas de mármol, y lechos de oro y plata sobre un pavimento mosaico de pórfido, de mármol, de alabastro(G) y de piedras preciosas. Las bebidas se servían en vasijas de oro de diferentes formas, y el vino real abundaba conforme a la liberalidad[d] del rey(H). Y se bebía conforme a la ley, no había obligación, porque el rey así había dado órdenes a todos los oficiales de su casa para que hicieran conforme a los deseos de cada persona. La reina Vasti también hizo un banquete para las mujeres en el palacio[e] que pertenecía al rey Asuero.

La reina Vasti repudiada

10 Al séptimo día, cuando el corazón del rey estaba alegre por el vino(I), él ordenó a Mehumán, a Bizta, a Harbona, a Bigta, a Abagta, a Zetar y a Carcas, los siete eunucos que servían en la presencia del rey Asuero, 11 que trajeran a la reina Vasti a la presencia del rey con su corona real(J), para mostrar al pueblo y a los príncipes su belleza, porque era muy hermosa. 12 Pero la reina Vasti rehusó venir al mandato del rey transmitido por[f] los eunucos. Entonces el rey se enojó mucho y se encendió su furor en él. 13 Y el rey dijo a los sabios(K) que conocían los tiempos(L) (pues era costumbre del rey consultar así a todos los que conocían la ley y el derecho, 14 y estaban junto a él Carsena, Setar, Admata, Tarsis, Meres, Marsena y Memucán, los siete príncipes de Persia y Media que tenían entrada a la presencia del[g] rey y que ocupaban los primeros puestos en el reino(M)): 15 Conforme a la ley, ¿qué se debe hacer con la reina Vasti, por no haber obedecido[h] el mandato del rey Asuero transmitido por[i] los eunucos? 16 Y en presencia del rey y de los príncipes, Memucán dijo: La reina Vasti no solo ha ofendido al rey sino también a todos los príncipes y a todos los pueblos que están en todas las provincias del rey Asuero. 17 Porque la conducta de la reina llegará a conocerse[j] por todas las mujeres y hará que ellas miren[k] con desdén a sus maridos, y digan: «El rey Asuero ordenó que la reina Vasti fuera llevada a su presencia, pero ella no fue». 18 Y desde hoy las señoras de Persia y Media que han oído de la conducta de la reina hablarán de la misma manera a todos los príncipes del rey, y habrá mucho desdén y enojo. 19 Si le place al rey, proclame él[l] un decreto real y que se escriba en las leyes de Persia y Media para que no sea revocado[m](N), que Vasti no entre más a la presencia del rey Asuero, y que el rey dé su título de reina a otra[n] que sea más digna que ella. 20 Y cuando el decreto que haga el rey sea oído por todo su reino, inmenso como es, entonces todas las mujeres darán honra a sus maridos(O), desde el mayor hasta el menor. 21 Esta palabra pareció bien al rey y a los príncipes, y el rey hizo conforme a lo dicho por Memucán. 22 Y envió cartas a todas las provincias del rey, a cada provincia conforme a su escritura y a cada pueblo conforme a su lengua(P), para que todo hombre fuera señor en su casa(Q) y que en ella se hablara la lengua de su pueblo.

Footnotes

  1. Ester 1:1 O, Jerjes; heb., Ajashverosh
  2. Ester 1:1 Heb., Cush
  3. Ester 1:4 Lit., Cuando
  4. Ester 1:7 Lit., mano
  5. Ester 1:9 Lit., la casa real
  6. Ester 1:12 Lit., por mano de
  7. Ester 1:14 Lit., veían el rostro del
  8. Ester 1:15 Lit., hecho
  9. Ester 1:15 Lit., por mano de
  10. Ester 1:17 Lit., saldrá
  11. Ester 1:17 Lit., haciendo que desprecien en sus ojos
  12. Ester 1:19 Lit., salga delante de él
  13. Ester 1:19 Lit., pase
  14. Ester 1:19 Lit., su vecina

It was in the days of Ahasuerus [Xerxes], the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces.

In those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was in Shushan or Susa [the capital of the Persian Empire] in the palace or castle,

In the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his princes and his courtiers. The chief officers of the Persian and Median army and the nobles and governors of the provinces were there before him

While he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor and excellence of his majesty for many days, even 180 days.

And when these days were completed, the king made a feast for all the people present in Shushan the capital, both great and small, a seven-day feast in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

There were hangings of fine white cloth, of green and of blue [cotton], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings or rods and marble pillars. The couches of gold and silver rested on a [mosaic] pavement of porphyry, white marble, mother-of-pearl, and [precious] colored stones.

Drinks were served in different kinds of golden goblets, and there was royal wine in abundance, according to the liberality of the king.

And drinking was according to the law; no one was compelled to drink, for the king had directed all the officials of his palace to serve only as each guest desired.

Also Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who ministered to King Ahasuerus as attendants,

11 To bring Queen Vashti before the king, with her royal crown, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to behold.

12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

13 Then the king spoke to the wise men who knew the times—for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were familiar with law and judgment—

14 Those next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who were in the king’s presence and held first place in the kingdom.

15 [He said] According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not done the bidding of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen has not only done wrong to the king but also to all the princes and to all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17 For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, making their husbands contemptible in their eyes, since they will say, King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.

18 This very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will be telling it to all the king’s princes. So contempt and wrath in plenty will arise.

19 If it pleases the king, let a royal command go forth from him and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and Medes, so that it may not be changed, that Vashti is to [be divorced and] come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.

20 So when the king’s decree is made and proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, extensive as it is, all wives will give honor to their husbands, high and low.

21 This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did what Memucan proposed.

22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each in its own script and to every people in their own language, saying that every man should rule in his own house and speak there in the language of his own people. [If he had foreign wives, let them learn his language.]

Queen Vashti Deposed

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a](A) the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces(B) stretching from India to Cush[b]:(C) At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,(D) and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet(E) for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days,(F) in the enclosed garden(G) of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches(H) of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality.(I) By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

Queen Vashti also gave a banquet(J) for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits(K) from wine,(L) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(M) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring(N) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty(O) 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.(P)

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times(Q) 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles(R) of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.(S)

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king,(T) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,(U) 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.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language,(V) proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus; here and throughout Esther
  2. Esther 1:1 That is, the upper Nile region