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The Book of ESTHER.

C H A P. I.

1 Ahasuerus maiethroyalseasts. jofa/hti's disobedience, 13 and punishment.

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:)

z That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus fat on the throne of his kingdom, which ivai in Shuflian the palace,

3 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:

4 When he (hewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shufhan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

6 Where ivere white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cordsof fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds ivere o/gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

7 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.

8 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 mould do according to every man's pleasure.

9 Also Vafhti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

I ofl On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harboha,Bigtha,andAbagtha,Zethar,andCarcas, tne seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

II To bring Vafhti 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.

11 But the queen Vafliti refused to come at the king's commandment byAiVchamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

13^ Then the king_ said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so %uas the king's manner toward all that knew jaw aad judgement;

y

14 And the next unto him <was Cnrshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarstiifh, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which fat the first in the kingdom;)

«5 What shall we do unto the queen Vafhti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains f

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vafliti 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 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 Valhti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media fay 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.

19 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 Modes, that it be not altered, That Vafhti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

10 And when the king's decree which hefhall makeshall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

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

zi 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.

CHAP. II.

1 Out os the choice os virgins a 1ueen"

to be chosen. 15 Efihtr is elected.

AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vafhti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

2 Then said the king's servants tn« ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king'

A queen to be chosen.

Chap. iii.

Esther made quieX;

3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they nuj gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shuflian 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:

4. And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vasliti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5 No-ui in Shuflian the palace there was a certain Jew, whose nameicM/Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kisli, a Bcnjamite;

6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king os Babylon had carried away.

7 And he brought upHadasl~ah,that//, Esther, his uncle's daughter: forfhehad neither father nor mother, and the maid nvai fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shuflian 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.

9 And the maiden pleased him, and (lie

obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with Juch things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, mihich •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.

10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she mould not shew it.

11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what (hould become of her.

Ii Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahafuerus, after that flie had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to luit, fix months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

1 j 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.

1 \ In the evening she went, and, on

the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaafhgaz.theking'schamberlain.which kept the concubines :ihe came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in hecf'and that she were called by name.

I5ff 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, The 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.

i6SoEstherwas taken untoking Ahafuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

j7 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and (he obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins j so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vafhti.'

18 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.

Ij And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

10 Esther had not yet (hewed her kindred, nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like 3s when (he was brought up with him.

21 In those days while Mordecai fat in the king'sgate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Terelh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and soughttolayhandonthekingAhasuerus.

22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.

23 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.

CHAP. III. Haman advanced by the king, and despised by Mordecai, seek^th revenge upon all the Jews. \

AFTER these things did king Ahafuerus promote Hainan the son of Hammedatha the Agagite; and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that luere with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that ivere Ff«. ia in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced J tun in: tor the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.

The decree against the Jews. E 9 T H E R Mordtcai and the Jew mourn.

jThen the king's servants, which ixiere in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why tranlgreslest 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 Uaman, to see whether Mordccai's matters would ft and: for lie had told them that he <uias a Jew.

5 And when Hainan saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Hainan full of wrath.

6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Hainan (ought to destroy all the Jews tint lucre throughout the whole kingdom of Alufuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 In the first month, that ir, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king AhaJiiurtis, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Hainan, from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

8 And Hainan said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and thjir laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it w not for the king's profit to suffer them.

9 If it pleale the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver- to the hands of thole that have the charge of the business, to bring // into the king's treasuries.

10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews'jenemy.

Ii And the king said unto Haman ,Tlie silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it leemeth good to thee.

n Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Hainan had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors t\\*iiuere 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 Ahafuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perilh, 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.

14. The copy ot the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was publislied 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 Shuihan the palace. And the king and Haman lat down to drink; but the city Shuihan was perplexed.

C H A P. IV.

1 Mordecai and the Jews mown. 15 Esther

appoint el h afaji.

WHEN Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with allies, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; » And came even before the king's gate: for x\oi\emighr enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there ivsis great mourning among the Jews, and failing, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in lackcloth and ashes.

4 So Esther's maids and her chamber lainscame and told it her. Then was ti.e queen exceedingly grieved; and soe sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received /'/ not.

5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom hehad appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it 'was.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which w« 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 Hainan had pranked to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

ii Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shuihan to destroy them, to (hew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that slie mould go in eato the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before nun for her people, . ,

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

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

11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, (hall 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 (hall hold out the golden fee Litre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

11 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not will, thy self that thou (halt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

i+ For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then (hall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the lewsfroui another ulace;but thou and thy father'shoufeihalloe destroyed : and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom {oxsuch a time as this?

15^ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in S human, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: 1 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.

i? So Mordecai wenthis way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

C H A P. V. 'Esther obtaining the kiutsi favour, ini/itetk the king and Haman to a banquet,

NO Witc.imeto pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's bouse, over against the king's house: and the king lat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. .

I And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that (lie obtained favour in his fight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that ixiai in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the seeptre.

3 Then- said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Either ? and whatis thy request? it (hall be even given thee to tht half os the kingdom.

4. And Esther answered, Xiitfeem good unto the king, Ut the king and Hainan

come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5 Then the king said. Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Either hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Either hail prepared.

6 And the king laid unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What ;'/ thy petition? and it (hall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it (hall be performed.

7 Then answered Esther,and said, My petition and my request it;

8 If I have fauna 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 Hii.ian come to the banquet that I (hall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Hainan law Mordecai in the king's gate, that lie ftcod not up nor moved for him, he-was full of indignation against Mordecai.

so Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he enmt home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zcrcih his wife.

11 And Haman told them of the rdory of his riches, and the multitude of lua children, and all the thing] wherein the king had promoted him, ;uid how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

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

ix, Yet all this availeth me nothing, 16 long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14 Then said Zerefh his wife, and all his friends unto him. Let a gallows be made of a sty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon; then go thou in merrily with tiie king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

CHAP. VI.

i Ahafuerui retuardeth Mordecai. 11 Ha

man doeth him honour.

ON that night could not the king deep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

a And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresti, two of the kings chamberlains, the

keepers Mordecai honoured.

ESTHER

Haman hanged.

keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the kiny; Ahasuerus.

3 And the king laid, 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.

4 And the king said, Who it in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward courtof the king's house,tospeak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.

5 And the king's servants said unto, him,Behold,Haman standeth in thecourt. And the king said, Let him come in.

6 So Haman came in. And the king fiid 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?

7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the king ufetk to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the erown royal which is set upon his head -.

9 And let: his 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 {hall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

loThen 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 fate: let nothing fail of all that thou ast spoken. ii qj 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 king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

13 And Haman told Zerefli his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresti his wife unto him, If Mordecai beof the seedof the Jews, beforewhom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but (halt surely fall before him.

1 + And while they were yet talking with

him, came the king's chamberlains, and

hasted to bring Hainan unto the banquet

that Esther had prepared.

CHAP. VII.

1 Esther sueth far her oiun life, and her people. 7 The ting causeth Haman to be hanged on his own gallows.

SO the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said again unto Estheron the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it (hall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight,

0 king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to.be (lain, and to perilh. 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.

5 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?

6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

7 f! 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.

8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet ofvvine; 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 the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said tefore the king, Behold also the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

CHAP. VIII.

1 Mordecai is advanced. 7 Ahasuerusgrant

eth to the Jews to defend themselves. 15 Mordecai's honour, and the Jews'joy.

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