1Now these events occurred in the days of King Xerxes (aka Ahasuerus, who ruled over 127 provinces, from India to Ethiopia). 2At that time, Xerxes reigned from his throne in Shushan, the palace, 3In the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his nobles and officials; the powerful of Persia and Media, the nobles and leaders of the provinces were all present before him, 4When he had shown the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty for a hundred eighty days, 5Xerxes made a feast for all the people who were present in Shushan, the palace, from the greatest to the least, for seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; 6Where there were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches of gold and silver were set upon a pavement of red, blue, white, and black marble. 7And drinks were served in goblets of gold (each goblet different from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. 8And the drinking was according to the law; with no one compelled to drink. For so the king had directed each official of his house, to accommodate each guest’s pleasure. 9And Vashti, the queen, also made a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains (eunuchs) who served in the presence of Xerxes, the king, 11To bring Vashti, the queen, before the king wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and the leaders; for she was lovely to see. 12But when his chamberlains delivered the king's message, Queen Vashti refused to come at his bidding; therefore, the king was enraged, and his anger burned in him. 13Then the king asked the wise men, who knew the times (for this was the king's custom toward those that knew law and judgment; 14And those closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven leaders of Persia and Media, who had access to the king, and ranked highest in the kingdom), 15“What shall we do with Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of the King Xerxes, by the chamberlains?” 16And Memucan spoke before the king and the princes, “Vashti, the queen, has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and the people who are in all the provinces of the King Xerxes. 17For the behavior of the queen shall become known to all women, so that they shall look with contempt upon their husbands, when they hear it reported, that ‘The King Xerxes commanded Vashti, the queen, to come before him, but she did not.’ 18The ladies of Persia and Media, who have heard of the behavior of the queen, shall respond in a similar manner to all the king's princes. There shall arise much contempt and anger. 19If it please the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti shall no more come before King Xerxes; and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. 20And when the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his vast empire, all the wives shall give honor to their husbands, both great and small.” 21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan; 22For he sent letters into all his provinces, according to its writing, and to every people in their own language, that every man should be master and rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.