Esther:1:1-22
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Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus , (
this is Ahasuerus which reigned ,
from India even unto Ethiopia ,
over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces : )
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That in those days ,
when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom ,
which was in Shushan the palace ,
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When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days ,
even an hundred and fourscore days .
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And when these days were expired ,
the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace ,
both unto great and small ,
seven days ,
in the court of the garden of the kings palace ;
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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 .
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And they gave them drink in vessels of gold , (
the vessels being diverse one from another , )
and royal wine in abundance ,
according to the state of the king .
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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 mans pleasure .
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Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus .
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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 chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king ,
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To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal ,
to shew the people and the princes her beauty :
for she was fair to look on mar #
eh #.
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But the queen Vashti refused to come at the kings commandment by his chamberlains :
therefore was the king very wroth ,
and his anger burned in him .
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Then the king said to the wise men ,
which knew the times , (
for so was the kings manner toward all that knew law and judgment :
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And the next unto him was Carshena ,
Shethar ,
Admatha ,
Tarshish ,
Meres ,
Marsena ,
and Memucan ,
the seven princes of Persia and Media ,
which saw the kings face ,
and which sat the first in the kingdom ; )
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What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law ,
because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains ?
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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 people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus .
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For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women ,
so that they shall despise their husbands 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 .
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Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the kings princes ,
which have heard of the deed of the queen .
Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath .
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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 be not altered ,
That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus ;
and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she .
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And when the kings decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire , (
for it is great , )
all the wives shall give to their husbands honour ,
both to great and small .
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And the saying pleased the king and the princes ;
and the king did according to the word of Memucan :
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For he sent letters into all the kings 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 .