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Vashti's disobedience.

CHAP. II.

A queen to be chosen. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast 22 For he sent letters into all the king's for the women in the royal house which provinces, into every province according belonged to king Ahasuerus. to the writing thereof, and to every people

CHAP. II.

10 On the seventh day, when the after their language, that every man should heart of the king was merry with wine, he bear rule in his own house; and that it commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, should be published according to the lanBigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, guage of every people. the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, est Cofing Vast the queen before Aoking Aha terus was appeased, he the king with the crown royal, to shew the remembered Vashti, and what she had people and the princes her beauty for done, and what was decreed against her. she was fair to look on. 2 Then said the king's servants that

FTER these things, when the wrath

12 But the queen Vashti refused to ministered unto him, Let there be fair come at the king's commandment by his young virgins sought for the king: chamberlains: therefore was the king very 3 And let the king appoint officers in all wroth, and his anger burned in him. the provinces of his kingdom, that they 13 T Then the king said to the wise may gather together all the fair young vir men, which knew the times, (for so was gins unto Shushan the palace, to the house the king's manner toward all that knew of the women, unto the custody of Hege law and judgment: the king's chamberlain, keeper of the 14 And the next unto him was Carshena, women; and let their things for purificaShethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Mar- tion be given them: sena, and Memucan, the seven princes of 4. And let the maiden which pleaseth Persia and Media, which saw the king's the king be queen instead of Vashti. And face, and which sat the first in the king- the thing pleased the king; and he did so. dom,) 5 ¶ Now in Shushan the palace there 15 What shall we do unto the queen was a certain Jew, whose name was MorVashti according to law, because she decai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, hath not performed the commandment of the son of Kish, a Benjamite; the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 6 Who had been carried away from

16 And Memucan answered before the Jerusalem with the captivity which had king and the princes, Vashti the queen been carried away with Jeconiah king of hath not done wrong to the king only, but Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of also to all the princes, and to all the people Babylon had carried away. that are in all the provinces of the king 7 And he brought up Hadassah,(that is, Ahasuerus. Esther,)his uncle's daughter: for she had

17 For this deed of the queen shall neither father nor mother, and the maid come abroad unto all women, so that they was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when her father and mother were dead, when it shall be reported, The king took for his own daughter. Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the que n 8 ¶ So it came to pass, when the king's to be brought in before him, but she came commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered

not.

18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia together unto Shushan the palace, to the and Media say this day unto all the king's custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought princes, which have heard of the deed of also unto the king's house, to the custody the queen. Thus shall there arise too of Hegai, keeper of the women. much contempt and wrath. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she 19 If it please the king, let there go a obtained kindness of him; and he speedily royal commandment from him, and let it gave her her things for purification, with be written among the laws of the Persians such things as belonged to her, and seven and the Medes, that it be not altered, maidens which were meet to be given her, That Vashti come no more before king out of the king's house: and he preferred Ahasuerus; and let the king give her her and her maids unto the best place of royal estate unto another that is better the house of the women.

than she.

10 Esther had not shewed her people 20 And when the king's decree which norher kindred: for Mordecai had charged he shall make shall be published through-her that she should not shew it. out all his empire, (for it is great,) all the 11 And Mordecai walked every day wives shall give to their husbands honour, before the court of the women's house, to both to great and small. know how Esther did, and what should become of her..

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

12 T Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that

Esther as chosen queen.

ESTHER.

Haman ado aced by the king.

she had been twelve months, according to medatha the Agagite, and advanced him, the manner of the women, (for so were the and set his seat above all the princes that days of their purifications accomplished, were with him. to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six 2 And all the king's servants that were months with sweet odours, and with other in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced things for the purifying of the women;) Haman; for the king had so commanded 13 Then thus came every maiden unto concerning him. But Mordecai bowed the king; whatsoever she desired was not, nor did him reverence. given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

3 Then the king's servants which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

15 ¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then who had taken her for his daughter, was was Haman full of wrath. come to go in unto the king, she required 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on nothing but what Hegai the king's cham- Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him berlain, the keep of the women, ap- the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman pointed. And Esther obtained favour in sought to destroy all the Jews that were the sight of all them that looked upon her. throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasue16 So Esther was taken unto king Aha- rus, even the people of Mordecai. suerus into his house-royal in the tenth 7 In the first month (that is, the month month, which is the month Tebeth, in the Nisan,) in the twelfth year of king Ahasueseventh year of his reign. rus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before 17 And the king loved Esther above all Haman from day to day, and from month the women, and she obtained grace and to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the favour in his sight more than all the vir-month Adar.

gins; so that he set the royal crown upon 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasueher head, and made her queen instead of rus, There is a certain people scattered Vashti. abroad and dispersed among the people in 18 Then the king made a great feast all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their unto all his princes and his servants, even laws are diverse from all people; neither Esther's feast; and he made a release to keep they the king's laws: therefore it is the provinces, and gave gifts, according to not for the king's profit to suffer them. the state of the king. 9 If it please the king, let it be written

19 And when the virgins were gathered that they may be destroyed: and I will together the second time, then Mordecai pay ten thousand talents of silver to the sat in the king's gate. hands of those that have the charge of the 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kin- business, to bring it into the king's treadred, nor her people, as Mordecai had suries.

charged her: for Esther did the command- 10 And the king took his ring from his ment of Mordecai, like as when she was hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of brought up with him. Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews'

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat enemy. in the king's gate, two of the king's cham- 11 And the king said unto Haman, The berlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those silver is given to thee, the people also, to which kept the door, were wroth, and do with them as it seemeth good to thee. sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 12 Then were the king's scribes called 22 And the thing was known to Morde- on the thirteenth day of the first month, and cai, who told it unto Esther the queen; there was written according to all that and Esther certified the king thereof in Haman had commanded unto the king's Mordecai's name. lieutenants, and to the governors that were 23 And when inquisition was made of over every province, and to the rulers of the matter, it was found out; therefore every people of every province, according they were both hanged on a tree: and it to the writing thereof, and to every people was written in the book of the Chronicles after their language; in the name of king before the king. Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

A

CHAP. III.

FTER these things did king Ahasue- 13 And the letters were sent by posts rus promote Haman the son of Ham-into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to

Mordecai and the Jews mourn. CHAP. IV, V.

The banquet of Esther. kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that young and old, little children and women, he may live: but I have not been called to in one day, even upon the thirteenth day come in unto the king these thirty days. of the twelfth month, which is the month 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. words. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

CHAP. IV.

W wasdone, Mordecairent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

HEN Mordecai perceived all that

2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth, whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

15 T Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night orday: I also and my maidens will fast likewise: and so will I go in unto the king, 3 And in every province whithersoever which is not according to the law; and if i the king's commandment and his decree perish, I perish.

came, there was great mourning among the 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wail-according to all that Esther had commanding; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. ed him.

4 So Esther's maids and her chamber

lains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.

CHAP. V.

that Esther put on her royal apparel, TOW it came to pass on the third day,

and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the 5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of royal house, over against the gate of the the king's chamberlains, whom he had ap-house.

pointed to attend upon her, and gave him 2 And it was so, when the king saw a commandment to Mordecai, to know Esther the queen standing in the court, that what it was, and why it was.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 And Esther answered, If it seem good 8 Also he gave him the copy of the wri- unto the king, let the king and Haman ting of the decree that was given at Shushan come this day unto the banquet that I have to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, prepared for him. and to declare it unto her, and to charge 5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to her that she should go in unto the king, to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath make supplication unto him, and to make said. So the king and Haman came to the request before him for her people.

9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10 ¶ Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;

banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 T And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

11 All the king's servants, and the peo- 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My ple of the king's provinces, do know, that petition and my request is: whosoever, whether man or woman, shall 8 If I have found favour in the sight of come unto the king into the inner court, the king, and if it please the king to grant who is not called, there is one law of his to my petition, and to perform my request, let put him to death, except such to whom the the king and Haman come to the banquet

The counsel of Haman.

ESTHER.

Mordecai is honoured: that I shall prepare for them, and I will do which the king useth to wear, and the horse to-morrow as the king hath said. that the king rideth upon, and the crown

9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day royal which is set upon his head: joyful and with a glad heart: but when 9 And let this apparel and horse be deHaman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, livered to the hand of one of the king's that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he most noble princes, that they may array was full of indignation against Mordecai. the man withal whom the king delighteth 10 Nevertheless, Haman refrained him- to honour, and bring him on horseback self: and when he came home, he sent and through the street of the city, and proclaim called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. before him, Thus shall it be done to the 11 And Haman told them of the glory man whom the king delighteth to honour. of his riches, and the multitude of his chil- 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make dren, and all the things wherein the king haste, and take the apparel and the horse, had promoted him, and how he had ad- as thou hast said, and do even so to Morvanced him above the princes and servants decai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's of the king. gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the 14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house his friends unto him, Let a gallows be mourning, and having his head covered, made of fifty cubits high, and to-morrow 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may all his friends every thing that had befallen be hanged thereon: then go thou in mer- him. Then said his wise men and Zerily with the king unto the banquet. And resh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the seed of the Jews, before whom they the gallows to be made. hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

CHAP. VI.

N that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the Chronicles; and they were read before the king.

2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana, and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

0

CHAP. VII.

the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

2 And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What 3 And the king said, What honour and is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall dignity hath been done to Mordecai for be granted thee: and what is thy request? this? Then said the king's servants that and it shall be performed, even to the half ministered unto him, There is nothing of the kingdom.

done for him.

3 Then Esther the queen answered and

4 And the king said, Who is in the court? said, If I have found favour in thy sight, (Now Haman was come into the outward O king, and if it please the king, let my court of the king's house, to speak unto life be given me at my petition, and my the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows people at my request: that he had prepared for him.)

4 For we are sold, I and my people, to 5 And the king's servants said unto him, be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. Behold, Haman standeth in the court. But if we had been sold for bond-men and And the king said, Let him come in. bond-women, I had held my tongue, al6 So Haman came in. And the king though the enemy could not countervail said unto him, What shall be done unto the king's damage.

the man whom the king delighteth to ho- 5 T Then the king Ahasuerus answered nour? (Now Haman thought in his heart, and said unto Esther the queen, Who is To whom would the king delight to do he, and where is he, that durst presume in honour more than to myself?) his heart to do so?

7 And Haman answered the king, For 6 And Esther said, The adversary and the man whom the king delighteth to enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Hahonour, man was afraid before the king and the

8 Let the royal apparel be brought queen.

He is advanced.

CHAP. VIII, IX.

The joy of the Jews. 7¶ And the king arising from the ban- 9 Then were the king's scribes called quet of wine in his wrath went into the at that time in the third month, that is, the palace-garden and Haman stood up to month Sivan, on the three and twentieth make request for his life to Esther the day thereof; and it was written, accordqueen; for he saw that there was evil de-ing to all that Mordecai commanded, unto termined against him by the king. the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the

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8 Then the king returned out of the pa- deputies and rulers of the provinces which lace-garden into the place of the banquet are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the twenty and seven provinces, unto every bed whereon Esther was. Then said the province according to the writing thereof, king, Will he force the queen also before and unto every people after their language, me in the house? As the word went out of and to the Jews according to their writing, the king's mouth, they covered Haman's and according to their language. face. 10 And he wrote in the King Ahasuerus'

9 And Harbonah, one of the chamber- name, and sealed it with the king's ring, lains, said before the king, Behold also the and sent letters by posts on horseback, gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman and riders on mules, camels, and young had made for Mordecai, who had spoken dromedaries: good for the king, standeth in the house of 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews Haman. Then the king said, Hang him which were in every city to gather themthereon. selves together, and to stand for their life, 10 So they hanged Haman on the gal- to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, lows that he had prepared for Mordecai. all the power of the people and province Then was the king's wrath pacified. that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them

ON

CHAP. VIII.

N that day did the king Ahasuerus for a prey, give the house of Haman, the Jews') 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of enemy, unto Esther the queen. And Mor-king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirdecai came before the king; for Esther had teenth day of the twelfth month, which is told what he was unto her. the month Adar. 2 And the king took off his ring which 13 The copy of the writing for a comhe had taken from Haman, and gave it un-mandment to be given in every province to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai was published unto all people, and that over the house of Haman. the Jews should be ready against that day

3 And Esther spake yet again before to avenge themselves on their enemies. the king, and fell down at his feet, and be- 14 So the posts that rode upon mules sought him with tears to put away the mis- and camels went out, being hastened and chief of Haman the Agagite, and his device pressed on by the king's commandment. that he had devised against the Jews. And the decree was given at Shushan the

4 Then the king held out the golden palace. sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

:

15 T And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of 5 And said, If it please the king, and blue and white, and with a great crown of if I have found favour in his sight, and the gold, and with a garment of fine linen thing seem right before the king, and I be and purple and the city of Shushan repleasing in his eyes, let it be written to joiced, and was glad: reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:

16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's command6 For how can I endure to see the evil ment and his decree came, the Jews had that shall come unto my people? or how joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. can I endure to see the destruction of my And many of the people of the land bekindred? came Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

CHAP. IX.

7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of month Adar, on the thirteenth day of TOW in the twelfth month, that is, the Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the same, when the king's commandment the Jews. and his decree drew near to be put in exe

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh cution, in the day that the enemies of the you, in the king's name, and seal it with Jews hoped to have power over them, the king's ring for the writing which is (though it was turned to the contrary, that written in the king's name, and sealed the Jews had rule over them that hated with the king's ring, may no man reverse. them ;)

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