1 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus {Achashverosh: Persian ruler}—the same Ahasuerus who reigned from Hodu to Cush—over 127 provinces {medinah: provincial region}.
2 In those days {yamim: narrative timeframe}, when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom in the citadel {habirah: fortified palace} at Susa.
3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet to all his princes {sarav: royal officials} and his servants, to the military force of Persia and Media, to the nobles, and to the provincial governors {sarei: regional rulers} before him.
4 During his display {behar’ôṯô: vivid exhibition} of the wealth of the glory of his kingdom {malkhûṯô: royal dominion}, and the splendor of the majesty of his greatness, for many days—one hundred and eighty days.
5 And when these days {yamim: festival interval} were fulfilled, the king held a banquet {mishteh: formal celebration} for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
6 There were hangings of white, green, and blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver fittings and marble pillars. The couches {mittot: banquet couches} of gold and silver were set on a pavement {ritsfat: inlaid flooring} of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.
7 They served drinks in vessels {kelim: varied containers} of gold (the vessels being different from one another), and royal {malkhut: sovereign status} wine was abundant according to the king’s bounty.
8 But the drinking {shetiah: drinking} was according to the established rule; none did compel, for thus the king ordered the senior staff {kol-rav: senior staff} of his house to do according to each man’s pleasure.
9 Also Queen Vashti made a banquet {mishteh: formal feast} for the women in the palace {beyt: royal residence} of King Ahasuerus.
10 On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry {khe-tov: joyful state} with wine, he said to Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Karkas—the seven eunuchs {sarisim: palace attendants} who served before King Ahasuerus.
11 To bring Queen Vashti before the king with the crown {keter malkut: kingly crown}, and to show her beauty {yofiha: captivating charm} to the peoples and the princes, for she was lovely in appearance.
12 But Queen Vashti refused {ma’en: refuse to comply} the king’s command {davar: royal command} through the eunuchs. Then the king was very angry, and his wrath burned within him.
13 And the king said to the wise men who knew the times, for such was the king’s custom before all who had understanding of law {dat: legal decree} and judgment {din: judicial authority}.
14 And those nearest to him were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukan—the seven princes of Persia and Media who saw the king’s face {penei: Royal Presence} and sat first in the kingdom {hayoshvim: Chief Counselors}.
15 According to the law {dath: legal code}, what is required {dei: mandated by statute} to be done to Queen Vashti, since she has not carried out the command of King Ahasuerus delivered through the eunuchs?
16 Memuchan said to the king and the princes, “Queen Vashti has wronged {avetah: committed offense} not only the king but also all the princes and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus {Achashverosh: Persian monarch}.”
17 When the queen’s deed {maaseh: significant action} is proclaimed to all women, they will despise {havzot: display contempt} their husbands in their sight when it is reported, “King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti the queen to be brought before him, but she did not come.”
18 And today the noblewomen of Persia and Media, who have heard the queen’s word, will say it to all the king’s princes—and there will be sufficient contempt {bizayon: public disgrace} and wrath {katsef: heated wrath}.
19 If it is good upon the king, let a royal decree go out from before him and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be repealed {lo-yaavor: Irreversible}, that Vashti shall not come before King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position {malkhutah: Royal Authority} to another who is better than she.
20 And the king’s decree {pitgam: royal pronouncement} which he will enact will be heard throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast; and all the women will give honor {yekar: dignity high-regard} to their husbands, both great and small.
21 And the matter {davar: royal proposal} pleased the king and the princes {sarim: royal counselors}, and the king acted according to Memuchan’s word.
22 And he sent letters to all the provinces of the king, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, for every man to be ruler {sorer: one who governs} in his own house and to speak in the language of his people {ammo: ethnic community}.