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These events happened in the time of Ahasuerus, who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia 2 from his royal throne in the fortified palace of Susa.
3 In the third year of his reign, the king gave a feast for all his officers and courtiers. The commanders of the military forces of Persia and Media, the nobles and satraps were before him; 4 while for one hundred and eighty days he showed them the glorious riches of his kingdom and the costliness of his magnificent regalia.
5 When these days were ended, the king held a banquet for all classes of people who were present in the royal palace at Susa; a seven days’ feast in the enclosed garden of the royal palace. 6 There were white and violet cotton curtains fastened to silver rings and pillars of marble with cords of fine purple and linen. The couches were of gold and silver placed upon a mosaic pavement of alabaster, white marble, mother-of-pearl, and dark stone. 7 The drink was brought in vessels of gold which were all different, and the king’s wine was provided with royal liberality. 8 The drinking was unrestricted, for the king had directed all the officers of his household to let each man do as he pleased. 9 Vashti the queen also gave a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10 On the seventh day, when the king was under the influence of wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zathar and Carkas, his seven eunuch attendants to bring Vashti the queen before him with the royal turban on her head, to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was very fair. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come as the king commanded through the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry.
13 In his rage the king said to the wise men who knew the precedents (for it was his custom to confer with those wise in law, 14 those next to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, seven officials of Persia and Media who had access to the king and were highest in the kingdom), 15 “According to law what should we do to Queen Vashti?”
16 Memucan replied before the king and the officials, “Vashti the queen has done wrong not only to the king but also to all the officials and to all the peoples in all of the king’s provinces. 17 For the refusal of the queen will be reported to all the women with the result that it will make them despise their husbands, for they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she did not come!’ 18 And this very day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the refusal of the queen will tell it to all the king’s officials, and there will be contempt and strife! 19 If it seems best to the king, let him send out a royal edict, and let it be written among the laws of Persia and Media, in order that it may not be repealed, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her place as queen to another who is better than she. 20 And when the king’s decree which he makes is heard throughout his kingdom — great as it is — the wives of all classes will give honor to their husbands.”
21 The proposal pleased the king and the officials, and the king did as Memucan advised. 22 So the king sent letters to all the provinces, to every province in its system of writing and to every people in their language, that every man should be master in his own house!