The Daily Audio Bible
Today's audio is from the GNT. Switch to the GNT to read along with the audio.
The King Throws a Lavish Party
1 [a] The following events happened[b] in the days of Ahasuerus.[c] (I am referring to[d] that Ahasuerus who used to rule over 127 provinces[e] extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.[f]) 2 In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa[g] the citadel,[h] 3 in the third[i] year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army[j] of Persia and Media[k] was present,[l] as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.
4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time[m]—180 days, to be exact![n] 5 When those days[o] were completed, the king then provided a seven-day[p] banquet for all the people who were present[q] in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly.[r] It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. 6 The furnishings included white linen and blue curtains hung by cords of the finest linen[s] and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches[t] displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone. 7 Drinks[u] were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense. 8 There were no restrictions on the drinking,[v] for the king had instructed all his supervisors[w] that they should do as everyone so desired.[x] 9 Queen Vashti[y] also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.
Queen Vashti is Removed from Her Royal Position
10 On the seventh day, as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine,[z] he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him,[aa] 11 to bring Queen Vashti into the king’s presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive.[ab] 12 But Queen Vashti refused[ac] to come at the king’s bidding[ad] conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed[ae] him.
13 The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times—for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.[af] 14 Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis[ag] and had the most prominent offices[ah] in the kingdom. 15 The king asked,[ai] “By law,[aj] what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?”
16 Memucan then replied to the king and the officials, “The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, ‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.’ 18 And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger. 19 If the king is so inclined,[ak] let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed,[al] that Vashti[am] may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another[an] who is more deserving than she.[ao] 20 And let the king’s decision that he will enact be disseminated[ap] throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is.[aq] Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly.”
21 The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan. 22 He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its own script and to each people according to their own language,[ar] that every man should be ruling his family[as] and should be speaking the language of his own people.[at]
Esther Becomes Queen in Vashti’s Place
2 When these things had been accomplished[au] and the rage of King Ahasuerus had diminished, he remembered[av] Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided[aw] against her. 2 The king’s servants who attended him said, “Let a search be conducted on the king’s behalf for attractive young women.[ax] 3 And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the attractive young women to Susa the citadel, to the harem[ay] under the authority of Hegai, the king’s eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.[az] 4 Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive[ba] become queen in place of Vashti.” This seemed like a good idea to the king,[bb] so he acted accordingly.
5 Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai.[bc] He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile with Jeconiah[bd] king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile. 7 Now he was acting as the guardian of[be] Hadassah[bf] (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor her mother was alive.[bg] This young woman was very attractive and had a beautiful figure.[bh] When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her[bi] as if she were his own daughter.
8 It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known[bj] many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace[bk] to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women. 9 This young woman pleased him,[bl] and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen[bm] young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem.[bn]
10 Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage,[bo] for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.[bp] 11 And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing[bq] and what might happen to her.
12 At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women,[br] when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus—for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women— 13 the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace. 14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part[bs] of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her[bt] and she was requested by name.
15 When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter[bu]) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her. 16 Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal residence in the tenth[bv] month (that is, the month of Tebeth) in the seventh[bw] year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval[bx] more than all the other young women.[by] So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen[bz] in place of Vashti. 18 Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants—it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.[ca]
Mordecai Learns of a Plot against the King
19 Now when the young women were being gathered again,[cb] Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.[cc] 20 Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people,[cd] just as Mordecai had instructed her.[ce] Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.
21 In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan[cf] and Teresh,[cg] two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance,[ch] became angry and plotted to assassinate[ci] King Ahasuerus. 22 When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy,[cj] he informed Queen Esther,[ck] and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators[cl] hanged on a gallows.[cm] It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king’s presence.
Haman Conspires to Destroy the Jews
3 Some time later[cn] King Ahasuerus promoted[co] Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position[cp] above that of all the officials who were with him. 2 As a result,[cq] all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow,[cr] nor did he pay him homage.
3 Then the servants of the king who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s commandment?” 4 And after they had spoken to him day after day[cs] without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted.[ct] Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew.[cu]
5 When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he[cv] was filled with rage. 6 But the thought of striking out against[cw] Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed[cx] of the identity of Mordecai’s people.[cy] So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai)[cz] who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
7 In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year[da] of King Ahasuerus’ reign, pur[db] (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month.[dc] It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).[dd]
8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a particular people[de] that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants[df] throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king’s laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them.[dg] 9 If the king is so inclined,[dh] let an edict be issued[di] to destroy them. I will pay 10,000 talents of silver[dj] to be conveyed to the king’s treasuries for the officials who carry out this business.”
10 So the king removed his signet ring[dk] from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who was hostile toward the Jews. 11 The king replied to Haman, “Keep your money,[dl] and do with those people whatever you wish.”[dm]
12 So the royal scribes[dn] were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps[do] and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by the runners to all the king’s provinces stating that[dp] they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children,[dq] on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day[dr] of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. 14 A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants,[ds] so that they would be prepared for this day. 15 The messengers[dt] scurried forth[du] with the king’s order.[dv] The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar.[dw]
The Lord’s Supper
17 Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For in the first place, when you come together as a church I hear there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must in fact be divisions among you, so that those of you who are approved may be evident.[a] 20 Now when you come together at the same place, you are not really eating the Lord’s Supper. 21 For when it is time to eat, everyone proceeds with his own supper. One is hungry and another becomes drunk. 22 Do you not have houses so that you can eat and drink? Or are you trying to show contempt for the church of God by shaming those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this!
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, 24 and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A person should examine himself first,[b] and in this way[c] let him eat the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks without careful regard[d] for the body eats and drinks judgment against himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few are dead.[e] 31 But if we examined ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 So then, my brothers and sisters,[f] when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about other matters when I come.
17 O Lord, how long are you going to watch this?
Rescue[a] me[b] from their destructive attacks;
guard my life[c] from the young lions.
18 Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly;[d]
I will praise you before a large crowd of people.[e]
19 Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason[f] gloat[g] over me.
Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes.[h]
20 For they do not try to make peace with others,[i]
but plan ways to deceive those who live peacefully in the land.[j]
21 They are ready to devour me;[k]
they say, “Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”[l]
22 But you take notice,[m] Lord; do not be silent!
O Lord, do not remain far away from me.
23 Rouse yourself, wake up[n] and vindicate me.[o]
My God and Lord, defend my just cause.[p]
24 Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God.
Do not let them gloat[q] over me.
25 Do not let them say to themselves,[r] “Aha! We have what we wanted!”[s]
Do not let them say, “We have devoured him.”
26 May those who rejoice in my troubles be totally embarrassed and ashamed.[t]
May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation.[u]
27 May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice.
May they continually say,[v] “May the Lord be praised,[w] for he wants his servant to be secure.”[x]
28 Then I will tell others about your justice,[y]
and praise you all day long.[z]
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.