even in those days when the king Ahasuerus sat on his seat royal which was in Susa, the chief city,

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:

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 -

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.

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."

After these acts when the displeasure of king Ahasuerus was allayed, he thought upon Vashti: what she had done, and what was concluded concerning her.

which was carried away from Jerusalem, when Jechoniah the king of Judah was led away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon carried away;

and he nourished Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and she was a fair and beautiful damsel. And when her father and mother died, Mordecai received her as his own daughter.

Now when the king's commandment and commission was published, and many damsels were brought together unto the castle of Susa under the hand of Hegei, Esther was taken also unto the king's house under the hand of Hegei the keeper of the women.

And when the appointed time of every damsel came that she should come to the king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months in the decking of the women - for their decking must have so much time, namely six months with Balm and Myrrh, and six months with good spices; so were the women beautified -

And when one came in the evening, the same went from him on the morrow into the second house of women, under the hand of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain which kept the concubines. And she must come in unto the king no more, except it pleased the king, and that he caused her to be called by name.

Now when the time came of Esther the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, which had received her as his own daughter, that she should come to the king, she desired nothing but what Hegei the king's chamberlain the keeper of the women, said. And Esther found favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

And as yet had not Esther showed her kindred and her people, according as Mordecai had bidden her: for Esther did after the word of Mordecai, like as when he was her tutor.

And when inquisition was made, it was found so. And they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the Chronicles before the king.

And when they spake this daily unto him and he followed them not, they told Haman, that they might see whether Mordecai's matters would endure: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not the knee unto him, nor worshipped him, he was full of indignation

When Mordecai perceived all that was done, he rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried loud and lamentably,

And when Hathach came in, and told Esther the words of Mordecai,

And when Mordecai was certified of Esther's words,

And when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she found grace in his sight. And the king held out the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther. So Esther stepped forth, and touched the top of the scepter.

The king said, "Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said." Now when the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared,

the king said unto Esther, when he had drunken wine, "Esther what is thy petition? And it shall be given thee. And what requirest thou? Even the half of the empire, it shall be done."

Then went Haman forth the same day joyful and merry in his mind. And when he saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up and kneeled before him, he was full of indignation at Mordecai.

Nevertheless he refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife,

The same night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the Chronicles and the stories: which when they were read before the king,

And when Haman came in, the king said unto him, "What shall be done unto the man, whom the king would fain bring unto worship?" But Haman thought in his heart, "Whom desireth the king to bring unto worship, more than me?"

And when the king and Haman came to banquet that queen Esther had prepared,

the king said unto Esther on the second day, when he had drunken wine, "What is thy petition queen Esther, that it may be given thee? And what requirest thou? Yea, ask even half of the empire, and it shall be done."

And when the king came again out of the palace garden into the parlor where they had eaten, Haman had laid him upon the bed that Esther sat upon. Then said the king, "Will he force the queen also? Beside me, in the house?" As soon as that word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.