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10 On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended him,(A) 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was fair to behold. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.

13 Then the king consulted the sages who knew the laws[a] (for this was the king’s procedure toward all who were versed in law and custom,(B) 14 and those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king and sat first in the kingdom):(C) 15 “According to the law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus conveyed by the eunuchs?” 16 Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the officials, “Queen Vashti has done wrong not only to the king but also to all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen will be made known to all women, causing them to look with contempt on their husbands, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’(D) 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s behavior will rebel against[b] the king’s officials, and there will be no end of contempt and wrath! 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal order go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be altered, that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.(E) 20 So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, vast as it is, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.”(F)

21 This advice pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan proposed;

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Footnotes

  1. 1.13 Cn: Heb times
  2. 1.18 Cn: Heb will tell

10 On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine,(A) Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(B) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs(C) who personally served him, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.(D) 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.(E)

The King’s Decree

13 The king consulted the wise men(F) who understood the times,[a](G) for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice. 14 The most trusted ones[b] were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials(H) of Persia and Media(I) who had personal access to the king(J) and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.(K) 15 The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”

16 Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.(L) 17 For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’ 18 Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.

19 “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked:(M) Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.(N) 20 The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom,(O) so all women will honor their husbands,(P) from the least to the greatest.”(Q)

21 The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:13 Or understood propitious times
  2. Esther 1:14 Lit Those near him