Esther 1:1–8

Now it came to pass in the days of aAhasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from bIndia even unto cEthiopia, over dan hundred and seven and twenty eprovinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus fsat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in gShushan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he hmade a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the inobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 *When he shewed 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 Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of kthe garden of the king’s palace; 6 Where were white, green, and ||blue, hangings, fastened with cords of lfine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: mthe beds were of 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 should do according to every man’s pleasure.