1 In the days of Ahasuerus, (who reigned, from India to Cush {Ethiopia}, over 127 provinces:)
2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in the palace complex at Susa,3 In the 3rd year of Ahasuerusβ reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:4 When Ahasuerus showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty 180 days.5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in the palace complex at Susa, both to great and small, 7 days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.7 And they gave the guests drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.9 Also Vashti {Thread} the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.10 On the 7th day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman {Crowd-Roar}, Biztha, Harbona {Destroying-Sword}, Bigtha, and Abagtha {Father-Of-the-Wine-Press}, Zethar, and Carcas {Lamb's-Covering}, the 7 chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,11 To bring Vashti {Thread} the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.12 But the queen Vashti {Thread} refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very angry, and his anger burned in him.13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:14 And the next to him was Carshena {Sleeping-Lamb}, Shethar, Admatha {Cloud-Of-Death}, Tarshish {Gem}, Meres {OutFlow}, Marsena {Bitter-Bramble}, and Memucan, the 7 princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the 1st in the kingdom;)15 What will we do to the queen Vashti {Thread} according to law, because she has not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti {Thread} the queen has not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad to all women, so that they'll despise their husbands in their eyes, when it will be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti {Thread} the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.18 Likewise will the ladies of Persia and Media say this day to all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus will there arise too much contempt and fire-rage.19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it don't be altered, That Vashti {Thread} come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another that is better than she.20 And when the king's decree which he will make will be published throughout all his empire, (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:22 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.  |
Apocrypha 