Esther 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:)

During the time of King Ahasuerus, who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia, something significant happened.

That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,

In those days, King Ahasuerus, filled with power and pride, ruled from his grand palace in Shushan.

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:

In the third year of his rule, he threw a grand feast for all his officials and servants. The influential leaders of Persia and Media, along with the nobles and provincial princes, were all present, standing before him.

When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

When he proudly displayed the wealth and splendor of his magnificent kingdom for a long 180 days, it left many in awe.

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;

After those days had passed, the king threw a grand feast for everyone in Shushan palace, from the highest to the lowest, for a whole week, right in the heart of the king's lush garden.

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.

In a place adorned with drapes of pure white, lush green, and deep blue, held up by cords of delicate linen and royal purple, attached to silver rings and marble pillars. The beds, crafted from gold and silver, rested on a mosaic floor of red, blue, white, and black marble.

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.

They served them drinks in unique golden cups, and the king's rich wine flowed freely.

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.

The king had decreed that everyone could drink as they wished, without any pressure. Everyone was free to enjoy their drink in their own way, as per their desires.

Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

Queen Vashti also hosted a feast for the women in King Ahasuerus's royal palace.

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,

On the seventh day, as the king's heart danced joyfully, intoxicated by wine, he ordered his seven trusted servants - Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, who served him faithfully, to come before him.

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.

The king desired to parade Queen Vashti, adorned in her royal crown, before his subjects and nobles, showcasing her stunning beauty, for she was a sight to behold.

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.

Queen Vashti boldly defied the king's order, delivered by his servants. This sparked a fierce rage in the king, his anger flaring up within him.

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:

Then the king turned to his wise advisors, those who understood the era, for he always respected those with knowledge of law and justice.

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;)

Next in line were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These seven princes of Persia and Media were privileged to see the king's face and held the highest positions in the kingdom.

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?

What should we do with Queen Vashti, who broke the law by disobeying King Ahasuerus's order, as told by his servants?

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.

Memucan answered before the king and his advisors, "Queen Vashti hasn't just wronged the king, but also all the leaders and people across King Ahasuerus's lands."

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.

When word of the queen's defiance reaches all women, they'll look down on their husbands. They'll say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him, and she didn't come.'

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.

This very day the noble women of Persia and Media, who have heard of the queen's actions, will speak the same way to all the king's nobles. This will stir up great disrespect and anger.

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.

If the king agrees, let him issue a royal decree, to be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, unchangeable, that Vashti is no longer to appear before King Ahasuerus. Let the king bestow her royal position to someone more deserving.

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.

When the king's rule is announced across his vast kingdom, every wife, regardless of her husband's status, will respect him deeply.

And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

The king and his advisors were delighted with Memucan's suggestion. So, the king followed Memucan's advice.

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.

He sent messages to every corner of the kingdom, in every local script and language. He wanted everyone to understand: each man should lead his own home. This message was shared in the language of every community.