1:1¹ The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus.² (I speak of that Ahasuerus who used to rule over 127 provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia.) 1:2 In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was located in Susa³ the citadel, 1:3 in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army⁴ of Persia and Media⁵ was present,⁶ as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.

1:4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time⁷—180 days, to be exact! 1:5 When those days⁸ were completed, the king then provided for all the people who were present⁹ in Susa the citadel a seven-day¹⁰ banquet, for those of highest standing to the most lowly.¹¹ It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace. 1:6 The appointments included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of byssus and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, golden and silver beds displayed on a surface made of valuable stones of alabaster, pearl, and mineral stone. 1:7 Drinks¹² were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense. 1:8 There were no restrictions on the drinking,¹³ for the king had so instructed all of his supervisors¹⁴ that they should do as everyone so desired. 1:9 Vashti the queen also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.

1:10 On the seventh day, as the king was feeling the effects of the wine,¹⁵ he instructed Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, who were the seven eunuchs who attended to King Ahasuerus, 1:11 to bring Vashti the queen into the king’s presence wearing her royal high-turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive. 1:12 But Queen Vashti refused¹⁶ to come at the king’s bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.

1:13 The king then inquired of the wisemen who were discerners of the times—for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.¹⁷ 1:14 Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were seven of the officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis¹⁸ and had the most prominent offices¹⁹ in the kingdom. 1:15 The king asked, “By law,²⁰ what should be done to Queen Vashti, in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?”

1:16 Memucan then replied to the king and the officials, “The wrong of Vashti the queen is not against the king only, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 1:17 For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, ‘When King Ahasuerus gave instructions to bring Vashti the queen into his presence, she would not come.’ 1:18 And this very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in like fashion to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger! 1:19 If the king is so inclined,²¹ let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed,²² that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another²³ who is more deserving than she. 1:20 And let the king’s decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is.²⁴ Then all the women will render honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly.”

1:21 The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan. 1:22 He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its script and to each people according to its language, that every man should be ruling in his family and should be speaking the language of his own people.²⁵