Esther 1:10-21
New American Standard Bible
Queen Vashti’s Refusal
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was (A)cheerful with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal (B)turban in order to display her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order [a]delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.
13 Then the king said to (C)the wise men (D)who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice 14 and were close to him, namely, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media (E)who [b]had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not [c]obey the command of King Ahasuerus [d]delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 And in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s conduct will [e]become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus [f]commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal [g]edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so (F)that it cannot [h]be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to [i]another who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, [j]great as it is, then (G)all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
21 Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did [k]as Memucan proposed.
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- Esther 1:12 Lit by the hand of the
- Esther 1:14 Lit saw the face of the king
- Esther 1:15 Lit do
- Esther 1:15 Lit by the hand of the
- Esther 1:17 Lit go forth
- Esther 1:17 Lit said to bring
- Esther 1:19 Lit word go forth from
- Esther 1:19 Lit pass by
- Esther 1:19 Lit her neighbor
- Esther 1:20 Lit for great is it
- Esther 1:21 Lit according to the word of
Esther 1:10-21
American Standard Version
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven [a]chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
13 Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment; 14 and the next unto him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom), 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen [b]say the like unto all the king’s princes. So will there arise [c]much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, [d]that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate [e]unto another that is better than she. 20 And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
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- Esther 1:10 Or, eunuchs (and so in verse 12, etc.)
- Esther 1:18 Or, tell it
- Esther 1:18 Or, enough
- Esther 1:19 Hebrew that it pass not away.
- Esther 1:19 Hebrew unto her companion.
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