1And it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (that same Ahasuerus who reigned from India as far as Cush) over one hundred twenty-seven provinces.2In those days, while King Ahasuerus was sitting on the royal throne in the citadel of Susa.3In the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants, the army of Persia and Madai, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces who were before him.4He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, one hundred eighty days.5And when those days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in the citadel of Susa, both great and small, a feast lasting seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace.6There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars; there were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.7Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of varying design, and royal wine flowed in abundance according to the bounty of the king.8And drinking was according to the law; none compelled, for the king had established for all the officers of his household that each man should do as he pleased.9Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus.11To bring Queen Vashti before the king with the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was beautiful in appearance.12But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king conveyed by the eunuchs; therefore the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.13Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for this was the procedure of the king toward all who were versed in law and judgment).14Those next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Madai who saw the king's face and sat first in the kingdom.15According 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?16Then Memucan said in the presence of the king and the princes, Not against the king alone has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.17For the queen's conduct will go out to all women, causing them to look with contempt on their husbands when they hear that King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him and she did not come.18This very day the noblewomen of Persia and Madai who have heard of the queen's conduct will say the same to all the king's officials, and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty.19If it pleases the king, let a royal edict go out from him, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Madai so that it may not be repealed, 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.20And when the king's edict which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, vast as it is, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.21This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.22He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man should be master in his own house and speak according to the language of his people.