The Bible, King James version, Book 17: Esther
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Unknown >> The Bible, King James version, Book 17: Esther
This eBook was produced by David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
with the help of Derek Andrew's text from January 1992
and the work of Bryan Taylor in November 2002.
Book 17 Esther
17:001:001 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is
Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over
an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)
17:001:002 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne
of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
17:001:003 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his
princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the
nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
17:001:004 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the
honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and
fourscore days.
17:001:005 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto
all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both
unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden
of the king's palace;
17:001:006 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with
cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of
marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of
red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.
17:001:007 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels
being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance,
according to the state of the king.
17:001:008 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel:
for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his
house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
17:001:009 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
17:001:010 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with
wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and
Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that
served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
17:001:011 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown
royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she
was fair to look on.
17:001:012 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment
by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and
his anger burned in him.
17:001:013 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for
so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and
judgment:
17:001:014 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha,
Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of
Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the
first in the kingdom;)
17:001:015 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law,
because she hath not performed the commandment of the king
Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
17:001:016 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti
the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to
all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the
provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
17:001:017 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women,
so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when
it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the
queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
17:001:018 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day
unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of
the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.
17:001:019 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from
him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and
the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more
before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate
unto another that is better than she.
17:001:020 And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be
published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all
the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great
and small.
17:001:021 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king
did according to the word of Memucan:
17:001:022 For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every
province according to the writing thereof, and to every people
after their language, that every man should bear rule in his
own house, and that it should be published according to the
language of every people.
17:002:001 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was
appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and
what was decreed against her.
17:002:002 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let
there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
17:002:003 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his
kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young
virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women,
unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the
women; and let their things for purification be given them:
17:002:004 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of
Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
17:002:005 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name
was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of
Kish, a Benjamite;
17:002:006 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity
which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
17:002:007 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's
daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid
was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and
mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
17:002:008 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree
was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto
Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was
brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai,
keeper of the women.
17:002:009 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him;
and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with
such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were
meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he
preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house
of the women.
17:002:010 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai
had charged her that she should not shew it.
17:002:011 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's
house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
17:002:012 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king
Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to
the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their
purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of
myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things
for the purifying of the women;)
17:002:013 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she
desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the
women unto the king's house.
17:002:014 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.
17:002:015 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle
of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to
go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the
king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And
Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked
upon her.
17:002:016 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal
in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh
year of his reign.
17:002:017 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she
obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the
virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and
made her queen instead of Vashti.
17:002:018 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his
servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the
provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
17:002:019 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time,
then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
17:002:020 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as
Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of
Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
17:002:021 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of
the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which
kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king
Ahasuerus.
17:002:022 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther
the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's
name.
17:002:023 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out;
therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written
in the book of the chronicles before the king.
17:003:001 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat
above all the princes that were with him.
17:003:002 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate,
bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded
concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
17:003:003 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said
unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
17:003:004 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.
17:003:005 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him
reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
17:003:006 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they
had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought
to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom
of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
17:003:007 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth
year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot,
before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the
twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
17:003:008 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people
scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the
provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all
people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not
for the king's profit to suffer them.
17:003:009 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be
destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to
the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to
bring it into the king's treasuries.
17:003:010 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto
Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
17:003:011 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the
people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
17:003:012 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of
the first month, and there was written according to all that
Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the
governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of
every people of every province according to the writing
thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name
of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's
ring.
17:003:013 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's
provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all
Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one
day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which
is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
17:003:014 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.
17:003:015 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.
17:004:001 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent 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;
17:004:002 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter
into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
17:004:003 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment
and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews,
and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in
sackcloth and ashes.
17:004:004 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains 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.
17:004:005 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains,
whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a
commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
17:004:006 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city,
which was before the king's gate.
17:004:007 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.
17:004:008 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that
was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther,
and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should
go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to
make request before him for her people.
17:004:009 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
17:004:010 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto
Mordecai;
17:004:011 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's
provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women,
shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not
called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except
such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that
he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the
king these thirty days.
17:004:012 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
17:004:013 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with
thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than
all the Jews.
17:004:014 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?
17:004:015 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
17:004:016 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan,
and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days,
night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so
will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law:
and if I perish, I perish.
17:004:017 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther
had commanded him.
17:005:001 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her
royal apparel, 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 royal house, over against the gate of
the house.
17:005:002 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in
the court, that 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.
17:005:003 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.
17:005:004 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the
king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have
prepared for him.
17:005:005 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do
as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet
that Esther had prepared.
17:005:006 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.
17:005:007 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
17:005:008 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it
please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my
request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I
shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king
hath said.
17:005:009 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart:
but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood
not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against
Mordecai.
17:005:010 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home,
he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
17:005:011 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the
multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king
had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the
princes and servants of the king.
17:005:012 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.
17:005:013 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai
the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
17:005:014 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a
gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou
unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go
thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing
pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
17:006:001 On 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.
17:006:002 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.
17:006:003 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to
Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that
ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
17:006:004 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come
into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the
king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for
him.
17:006:005 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth
in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
17:006:006 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be
done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now
Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to
do honour more than to myself?
17:006:007 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king
delighteth to honour,
17:006:008 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear,
and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal
which is set upon his head:
17:006:009 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one
of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man
withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on
horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before
him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth
to honour.
17:006:010 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel
and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai
the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of
all that thou hast spoken.
17:006:011 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.
17:006:012 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted
to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
17:006:013 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing
that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his
wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before
whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against
him, but shalt surely fall before him.
17:006:014 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.
17:007:001 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
17:007:002 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the
banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it
shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall
be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
17:007:003 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found
favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my
life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
17:007:004 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be
slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and
bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not
countervail the king's damage.
17:007:005 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the
queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his
heart to do so?
17:007:006 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
17:007:007 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath
went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make
request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that
there was evil determined against him by the king.
17:007:008 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place
of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed
whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the
queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of
king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
