The King's Banquets
1 It fortuned in the days of Ahasuerus - which reigned from India unto Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty lands -
1 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:)
1 Now it took place in the days of (A)Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned (B)from India to (a)Ethiopia over (C)127 provinces,
1 These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus,(a)(A) who ruled 127 provinces(B) from India(b) to Cush.
1 This is a record of what happened during the reign of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush.
3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and servants. And the mighty men of Persia and Media, the captains also, and rulers of his countries, were before him;
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
3 in the third year of his reign (F)he gave a banquet for all his princes and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the princes of his provinces being in his presence.
3 He held a feast(E) in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media,(F) the nobles,(G) and the officials from the provinces.
3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers, and the military leaders of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the provincial officials were present.
4 and he showed the riches and glory of his kingdom, and the glorious worship of his greatness, many days long, even a hundred and fourscore days.
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
4 (b)And he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.
4 He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness(H) for a total of 180 days.
4 He displayed the enormous wealth of his kingdom, along with its splendid beauty and greatness for many days for 180 days in all.
5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were in the castle of Susa, both unto great and small, seven days long in the court of the garden by the king's palace:
5 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 king's palace;
5 When these days were completed, the king gave a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the court of (G)the garden of the king’s palace.
5 At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet(I) in the garden courtyard(J) of the royal palace(K) for all the people, from the greatest to the least,(L) who were present in the fortress of Susa.(M)
5 When those days were over, the king held a seven-day banquet in the courtyard of the garden of his palace for all the people who were present in Susa the capital, from the greatest to the least important.
6 where there hanged white, red and yellow cloths, fastened with cords of linen and scarlet in silver rings, upon pillars of Marble stone. The benches were of gold and silver made upon a pavement of green, white, yellow and black Marble.
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.
6 There were hangings of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble columns, and (H)couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.
6 White and violet linen hangings were fastened with fine white and purple linen cords to silver rods on marble(c) columns. Gold and silver couches(N) were arranged on a mosaic pavement of red feldspar,(d) marble,(e) mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.
6 There were curtains of white and blue linen tied with cords of fine linen and purple material to silver rings on marble columns. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other precious stones.
7 And the drink was carried in vessels of gold, and there was ever change of vessel. And the king's wine was much according to the power of the king.
7 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.
7 Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful (I)according to the king’s (c)bounty.
7 Beverages were served in an array of gold goblets,(O) each with a different design. Royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty(P)
7 Drinks were served in gold vessels of various kinds, and there was plenty of royal wine because the king was generous.
8 And no man was appointed what he should drink: for the king had commanded all the officers of his house, that everyone should do as it liked him.
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.
8 The drinking was done according to the law, there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household that he should do according to the desires of each person.
8 and no restraint was placed on the drinking. The king had ordered every wine steward in his household to serve as much as each person wanted.
8 According to the king's decree the drinking was not compulsory because the king instructed every steward in his house to serve each individual what he desired.
9 And the queen Vashti made a feast also for the women in the palace of Ahasuerus.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women of King Ahasuerus’s palace.
9 Queen Vashti also held a banquet in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus for the women.
Queen Vashti Refuses The King's Request
10 And on the seventh day, when the king was merry of the wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas - the seven chamberlains that did service in the presence of king Ahasuerus -
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 chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was (J)merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus,
10 On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine,(Q) Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(R) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs(S) who personally served him,
10 A week later, when the king was under the influence of all that wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus,
11 to fetch the queen Vashti with the crown regal, that he might show the people and princes her fairness: for she was beautiful.
11 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.
11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal (K)crown in order to display her beauty to the people and the princes, for she was beautiful.
11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful.(T)
11 to bring Queen Vashti to the king, wearing the royal crown to display her beauty to the people and the officials, since she was lovely to look at.
12 But the queen Vashti would not come at the king's word by his chamberlains. Then was the king very wroth, and his indignation kindled in him.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command delivered by the eunuchs. Then the king became very angry and his wrath burned within him.
12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.(U)
12 Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's order that was brought by the eunuchs.
The King's Decree
13 And the king spake to the wise men that had understanding in the ordinances of the land - for the king's matters must be handled before all such as have knowledge of the law and judgment,
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:
13 Then the king said to (L)the wise men (M)who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice
13 The king consulted the wise men(V) who understood the times,(f)(W) for it was his normal procedure to confer with experts in law and justice.
13 Then the king flew into a rage. The king spoke to the wise men who understood the times, for it was the king's custom to consult all those who understood law and justice.
14 and the next unto him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of the Persians and Medes, which saw the king's face, and sat above in the kingdom.
14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
14 and were close to him: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media (N)who (e)had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom—
14 The most trusted ones(g) were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven officials(X) of Persia and Media(Y) who had personal access to the king(Z) and occupied the highest positions in the kingdom.(AA)
14 (His closest advisors were: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had direct access to the king and who held the highest rank in the kingdom.)
15 "What law," sayeth the king, "should be executed upon the queen Vashti, because she did not according to the word of the king by his chamberlains?"
15 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?
15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not (f)obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?”
15 The king asked, “According to the law, what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey King Ahasuerus’s command that was delivered by the eunuchs?”
15 The king inquired, "According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the order of King Ahasuerus that was delivered by the eunuchs?"
16 Then said Memucan before the king and the princes, "The queen Vashti hath not only done evil against the king but also against all the princes and all the people in all the lands of king Ahasuerus:
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 people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
16 In the presence of the king and the princes, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
16 Memucan said in the presence of the king and his officials, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the officials and the peoples who are in every one of King Ahasuerus’s provinces.(AB)
16 Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and his officials, "It is not the king alone whom Vashti has wronged, but rather all of the officials and all of the people who are in the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
17 for this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands before their eyes, and shall say, 'The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to come before him, but she would not.'
17 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.
17 For the queen’s conduct will (g)become known to all the women causing them (h)to look with contempt on their husbands by saying, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’
17 For the queen’s action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.’
17 When the report about the queen goes out to all the women, it will cause them to despise their husbands. They'll say, "King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she wouldn't come.'
18 And so shall the princesses in Persia and Media say likewise unto all the king's princes, when they hear of this deed of the queen, thus shall there arise dispitefulness and wrath enough.
18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
18 This day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s conduct will speak in the same way to all the king’s princes, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger.
18 Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s act will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.
18 This very day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who hear the report about the queen will speak in the same way to all the officials of the king, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger.
19 If it please the king, let there go a commandment from him, and let it be written according to the law of the Persians and Medians - and not to be transgressed - that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus, and let the king give the kingdom unto another that is better than she.
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 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.
19 If it pleases the king, let a royal (i)edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so (O)that it cannot (j)be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to (k)another who is more worthy than she.
19 “If it meets the king’s approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked:(AC) Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus’s presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.(AD)
19 If it seems good to the king, let a royal decree go out from him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus. Let the king give her royal position to another woman who is better than she.
20 And when this commandment of the king, which shall be made, is published throughout all his empire - which is great - all women shall hold their husbands in honor; both among great and small."
20 And when the king's 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.
20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout all his kingdom, (l)great as it is, then (P)all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”
20 The decree the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom,(AE) so all women will honor their husbands,(AF) from the least to the greatest.”(AG)
20 When the edict of the king that he issues is heard throughout his kingdom for it's vast then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least important."
21 This pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan.
21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
21 The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.
21 This seemed like a good idea to the king and his officials, so the king did what Memucan suggested.
22 Then were there letters sent forth into all the king's lands, into every land according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should be lord in his own house. And this caused he to be spoken after the language of his people.
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.
22 So he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, (Q)to each province according to its script and to every people according to their language, that every man should (R)be the master in his own house and the one who speaks in the language of his own people.
22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language,(AH) that every man should be master of his own house and speak in the language of his own people.
22 He sent letters to all the provinces of the king, written in the script of that province, and to each people in their own language, ordering that every man should be the master in his house and speak the language of his own people.