From www.ebible.org with slight reformatting by Martin Ward. Book 17 Esther 001:001 Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces), 001:002 that in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 001:003 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him. 001:004 He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days. 001:005 When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. 001:006 There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble. 001:007 They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. 001:008 In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 001:009 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus. 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 Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 001:011 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful. 001:012 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him. 001:013 Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for it was the king's custom to consult those who knew law and judgment; 001:014 and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom), 001:015 "What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?" 001:016 Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are