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Esther 1
1599 Geneva Bible

Esther

1 3 King Ahasuerus maketh a royal feast. 12 Whereunto the Queen Vashti will not come. 19 For which cause she is divorced. 20 The King’s decree touching the pre-eminence of man.

1 In the days of [a]Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus that reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an [b]hundred, and seven and twenty provinces.)

2 In those days when the king Ahasuerus [c]sat on his throne, which was in the palace of (A)Shushan,

3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants, even the power of Persia and Media, and to the captains and governors of the provinces which were before him,

4 That he might show the riches and glory of his kingdom, and the honor of his great majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast to all the people that were found in the palace of Shushan, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace,

6 Under an hanging of white, green, and blue cloths, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple, in silver rings, and pillars of marble: the [d]beds were of gold and of silver upon a pavement of porphyry, and marble and alabaster, and blue color.

7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, and changed vessel after vessel, and royal wine in abundance, according to the [e]power of the king.

8 And the drinking was by an order, none might [f]compel: for so the king had appointed unto all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

9 ¶ The Queen Vashti made a feast also for the women in the royal house of King Ahasuerus.

10 Upon the [g]seventh day when the King was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs, (that served in the presence of king Ahasuerus)

11 To bring Queen Vashti before the king with the crown royal, that he might show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look upon.

12 But the Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s word, [h]which he had given in charge to the eunuchs: therefore the King was very angry, and his wrath kindled in him.

13 Then the King said to the wise men, [i]that knew the times (for so was the King’s manner towards all that knew the law and the judgment:

14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan the seven Princes of Persia, and Media, which saw the [j]King’s face, and sat the first in the kingdom.)

15 What shall we do unto the Queen Vashti according to the law, because she did not according to the word of the King Ahasuerus by the commission of the eunuchs?

16 Then Memucan answered before the king and the Princes, The Queen Vashti hath not only done [k]evil against the King, but against all the Princes, and against all the people that are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

17 For the [l]act of the Queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their own eyes, and shall say, The King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the Queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18 So shall the [m]Princesses of Persia and Media this day say unto all the King’s Princes, when they hear of the act of the Queen: thus shall there be much despitefulness and wrath.

19 If it please the King, let a royal decree proceed from him, and let it be written among the statutes of Persia and Media, (and let it not be transgressed) that Vashti come [n]no more before king Ahasuerus: and let the king give her royal estate unto her companion that is better than she.

20 And when the decree of the King which shall be made, shall be published throughout all his kingdom (though it be [o]great) all the women shall give their husbands honor, both great and small.

21 And this saying pleased the King and the Princes, and the King did according to the word of Memucan.

22 For he sent letters into all the provinces of the King, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should [p]bear rule in his own house, and that he should publish it in the language of that same people.

Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:1 Called also Darius, who was now the sovereign Monarch and had the government of the Medes, Persians, and Chaldeans, some think he was Darius Hystaspis’ son called also Artaxerxes.
  2. Esther 1:1 Dan. 6:1, maketh mention but of sixscore, leaving out the number that is unprecise as the Scripture in divers places useth.
  3. Esther 1:2 That is, had rest and quietness.
  4. Esther 1:6 Which they used in those countries instead of tables.
  5. Esther 1:7 As was beseeming for so magnificent a king.
  6. Esther 1:8 None might be compelled to drink more than it pleased him.
  7. Esther 1:10 Which was the last day of the feast that the king made for the people, as verse 5.
  8. Esther 1:12 Hebrew, which was in the hand of the eunuchs.
  9. Esther 1:13 That had experience of things as they had learned by diligent marking in continuance of time.
  10. Esther 1:14 Which were his chief counselors, that might have always access to him.
  11. Esther 1:16 By her disobedience she hath given an example to all women to do the like to their husbands.
  12. Esther 1:17 That is, her disobedience.
  13. Esther 1:18 Meaning, that they would take first occasion thereof to do the like, and that the rest of women would by continuance do the same.
  14. Esther 1:19 Let her be divorced, and another made Queen.
  15. Esther 1:20 For he had under him an hundred twenty and seven countries.
  16. Esther 1:22 That is, that the wife should be subject to the husband and at his commandment.
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Esther 1
New International Version

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 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) 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,(D) 3 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.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 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. 6 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. 7 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) 8 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.

9 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
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以斯帖记 1
Chinese New Version (Simplified)

亚哈随鲁王大宴群臣

1 亚哈随鲁在位的时候，他统治从印度到古实共一百二十七省。 2 他在书珊城登了国位。 3 他执政第三年，曾为众领袖和臣仆摆设筵席；波斯和玛代的权贵，以及各省的贵族和领袖都在他面前。 4 他把自己尊荣之国的财富和伟大威风的荣华，向他们展现很多日子，共有一百八十天。 5 这些日子过了，王又为所有在书珊城的人民，无论尊卑大小，在御园的院子里摆设筵席七天。 6 御园中有白色绵织的帷幕、蓝色的幔子，细麻绳、紫色绳悬在银环里和大理石柱上；有金银的床榻摆在红色、白色、黄色和黑色的大理石所铺的地上。 7 赐饮都用金器皿；器皿与器皿各有不同；御酒很多，足显王的厚赐。 8 饮酒都照着定例，不准勉强；因为王对他宫里的所有臣仆立下规矩，要照着各人的意愿而行。

瓦实提王后抗旨

9 王后瓦实提也在亚哈随鲁王的王宫中，为妇女们摆设筵席。

10 第七日，亚哈随鲁王因饮酒心里高兴，就吩咐侍候在他面前的七个太监：米户幔、比斯他、哈波拿、比革他、亚拔他、西达、甲迦， 11 去请王后瓦实提，戴着后冕到王面前，使众人和大臣欣赏她的美丽；因为她的容貌很美。 12 王后瓦实提却不肯遵照王借着太监所传的命令，所以王非常生气，怒火中烧。

瓦实提被废

13 王就谘询通达时务的哲士；因为当时按照王的常规，王要处理一事，必先问问面前所有精通法令和审断的朝臣。 14 那时在王身边的有甲示拿、示达、押玛他、他施斯、米力、玛西拿、米母干等七位波斯、玛代的大臣；他们都是常见王面，在国中居首位的。 15 王问他们说：“王后瓦实提不遵行亚哈随鲁王借着太监所传的命令，按照法令应怎样办理呢？” 16 米母干在王和众领袖面前回答：“王后瓦实提不但得罪了皇上，而且还得罪了亚哈随鲁王各省的臣民。 17 因为王后这事必传到所有妇女的耳中，会使她们眼中轻视自己的丈夫，因为她们说：‘亚哈随鲁王吩咐人带王后瓦实提到王面前，她却没有来。’ 18 现在波斯和玛代的公主贵妇听见王后这件事，就必照样告诉王的大臣，这样轻视和忿怒的事就常有了。 19 王若是赞成，可以下一道谕旨，并且写在波斯和玛代的法令中，永不废除。不准瓦实提再到亚哈随鲁王面前来，又请王把她王后的位分赐给另一位比她好的人。 20 王颁布的谕旨传遍全国的时候，所有的妇女都必敬重她们的丈夫，不论丈夫尊卑贵贱。” 21 王和众领袖都赞成米母干的话；王就照着他的话去行， 22 把诏书送到王的各省，每一省都用各省的文字，每一族都用各族的方言，使作丈夫的都在家中作主，说话有权威。

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