33,354 verses contain “the” (in the KJV: 32,434, in the BSB: 26,201) — showing 12,001–12,100
King James Bible KJV Bible
Berean Standard Bible BSB Bible
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:
Then the king consulted
the wise men who knew
the times, for it was customary for him to
confer with
the experts in law and justice.
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;)
His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha,
Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan,
the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to
the king and ranked highest in
the kingdom.
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?
“According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey
the command of King
Xerxes delivered by
the eunuchs?”
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.
And in
the presence of
the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only
the king, but all
the princes and
the peoples in all
the provinces of King
Xerxes.
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.
For
the conduct of
the queen will become known to all women, causing
them to
despise their husbands and say, ‘King
Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’
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.
This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath.
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.
So if it pleases
the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in
the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be
repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter
the presence of King
Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.
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.
The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom—and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.”
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so
the king did as Memucan had
advised.
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.
He sent letters to all
the provinces of
the kingdom, to each province in its own
script and to each people in
their own language,
proclaiming that every man should be master of his own household.
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.
Some time later, when
the anger of King
Xerxes had
subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.
Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
Then the king’s attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king,
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:
and let
the king
appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to
assemble all
the beautiful young women into
the harem at
the citadel of
Susa. Let
them be placed under
the care of Hegai,
the king’s
eunuch in charge of
the women, and let
them be given beauty treatments.
And let
the maiden which pleaseth
the king be queen instead of Vashti. And
the thing pleased
the king; and he did so.
Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.
Now
there was at
the citadel of
Susa a Jewish man from
the tribe of Benjamin named
Mordecai son of
Jair,
the son of Shimei,
the son of
Kish.
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.
He had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon among those taken
captive with Jeconiah king of Judah.
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.
And
Mordecai had brought up Hadassah (that is,
Esther),
the daughter of his uncle, because she did not have a father or mother.
The young woman was lovely in form and appearance, and when her father and mother had died,
Mordecai had taken her in as his own daughter.
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.
When
the king’s command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women gathered at
the citadel of
Susa under
the care of Hegai.
Esther was also taken to
the palace and placed under
the care of Hegai,
the custodian of
the women.
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.
And
the young woman pleased him and obtained his favor, so he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and
the special diet. He assigned to her seven select maidservants from
the palace and transferred her with
them to
the best place in
the harem.
And
Mordecai walked every day before
the court of
the women’s house, to know how
Esther did, and what should become of her.
And every day
Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of
the court of
the harem to learn about
Esther’s
welfare and what was happening to her.
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;)
In
the twelve months before her turn to go to King
Xerxes,
the harem regulation required each young woman to receive beauty treatments with oil of
myrrh for six months, and
then with perfumes and cosmetics for another six months.
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.
When
the young woman would go to
the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from
the harem to
the king’s palace.
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.
She would go
there in
the evening, and in
the morning she would return to a second
harem under
the care of Shaashgaz,
the king’s
eunuch in charge of
the concubines. She would not return to
the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.
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.
Now
Esther was
the daughter of Abihail,
the uncle from whom
Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. And when it was her turn to go to
the king, she did not ask for anything except what Hegai,
the king’s trusted official in charge of
the harem, had
advised. And
Esther found favor in
the eyes of
everyone who saw her.
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.
She was taken to King
Xerxes in
the royal palace in
the tenth month,
the month of
Tebeth, in
the seventh year of his reign.
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.
And
the king loved
Esther more than all
the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of
the other virgins. So he placed
the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
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.
Then the king held a great
banquet,
Esther’s
banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax
holiday in
the provinces and gave gifts worthy of
the king’s
bounty.
And when
the virgins were gathered together
the second time,
then Mordecai sat in
the king’s gate.
When
the virgins were assembled a second time,
Mordecai was sitting at
the king’s gate.
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.
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 hand on
the king
Ahasuerus.
When
Mordecai learned of
the plot, he reported it to Queen
Esther, and she informed
the king on
Mordecai’s behalf.
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.
After
the report had been investigated and
verified, both officials were
hanged on
the gallows. And all this was recorded in
the Book of
the Chronicles in
the presence of
the king.
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.
After
these events, King
Xerxes honored
Haman son of Hammedatha,
the Agagite,
elevating him to a position above all
the princes who were with him.
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.
All
the royal servants at
the king’s gate bowed down and paid
homage to
Haman, because
the king had commanded that this be done for him. But
Mordecai would not bow down or pay
homage.
Then the king’s servants, which were in
the king’s gate, said unto
Mordecai, Why transgressest thou
the king’s commandment?
Then the royal servants at
the king’s gate asked
Mordecai, “Why do you disobey
the command of
the king?”
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.
And when
Haman saw that
Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence,
then was
Haman full of wrath.
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.
And when he learned
the identity of
Mordecai’s people, he
scorned the notion of laying hands on
Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of
Mordecai’s people,
the Jews, throughout
the kingdom of
Xerxes.
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.
In
the twelfth year of King
Xerxes, in
the first month,
the month of
Nisan,
the Pur (that is,
the lot) was cast before
Haman to determine a day and month. And
the lot fell on
the twelfth month,
the month of
Adar.
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.
Then Haman informed King
Xerxes, “
There is a certain people scattered and
dispersed among
the peoples of every province of your kingdom.
Their laws are different from
everyone else’s, and
they do not obey
the king’s laws. So it is not in
the king’s best interest to
tolerate them.
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.
If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”
And
the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto
Haman the son of Hammedatha
the Agagite,
the Jews’ enemy.
So
the king removed
the signet ring from his finger and gave it to
Haman son of Hammedatha,
the Agagite,
the enemy of
the Jews.
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.
“Keep your money,” said
the king to
Haman. “
These people are given to you to do with
them as you please.”
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.
On
the thirteenth day of
the first month,
the royal
scribes were summoned and
the order was written exactly as
Haman commanded
the royal satraps,
the governors of each province, and
the officials of each people, in
the script of each province and
the language of every people. It was written in
the name of King
Xerxes and sealed with
the royal
signet ring.
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.
And
the letters were sent by couriers to each of
the royal provinces with
the order to destroy, kill, and
annihilate all
the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to
plunder their possessions on a single day,
the thirteenth day of
Adar,
the twelfth month.
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.
A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.
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.
The couriers left,
spurred on by
the king’s command, and
the edict was issued in
the citadel of
Susa.
Then the king and
Haman sat down to drink, but
the city of
Susa was in confusion.
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;
When
Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he
tore his clothes, put on
sackcloth and ashes, and went out into
the middle of
the city,
wailing loudly and bitterly.
And came even before
the king’s gate: for none might enter into
the king’s gate clothed with
sackcloth.
But he went only as far as
the king’s gate, because
the law prohibited
anyone wearing
sackcloth from entering that gate.
In every province to which
the king’s command and edict came,
there was great
mourning among
the Jews.
They fasted,
wept, and
lamented, and many lay in
sackcloth and ashes.
When
Esther’s maidens and eunuchs came and told her about
Mordecai,
the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for
Mordecai to wear instead of his
sackcloth, but he would not accept
them.
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.
Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of
the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she
dispatched him to
Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why.
So Hatach went forth to
Mordecai unto
the street of
the city, which was before
the king’s gate.
So Hathach went out to
Mordecai in
the city square in front of
the king’s gate,
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.
and
Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including
the exact amount of money that
Haman had promised to pay into
the royal treasury in order to destroy
the Jews.
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.
Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of
the written decree issued in
Susa for
the destruction of
the Jews, to show and explain to
Esther,
urging her to approach
the king,
implore his favor, and
plead before him for her people.
Again
Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto
Mordecai;
All
the king’s servants, and
the people of
the king’s provinces, do know, that
whosoever, whether man or woman, 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.
“All
the royal officials and
the people of
the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches
the king in
the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if
the king extends
the gold
scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before
the king for
the past thirty days.”
Then Mordecai commanded to answer
Esther, Think not with
thyself that thou shalt escape in
the king’s house, more than all
the Jews.
he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
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?
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and
deliverance for
the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to
the kingdom for such a time as this?”
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.
“Go and
assemble all
the Jews who can be found in
Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to
the king, even though it is against
the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
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.
On
the third day,
Esther put on her royal
attire and stood in
the inner court of
the palace across from
the king’s quarters.
The king was sitting on his royal throne in
the royal courtroom, facing
the entrance.
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.
As soon as
the king saw Queen
Esther standing in
the court, she found favor in his sight.
The king extended
the gold
scepter in his hand toward
Esther, and she approached and touched
the tip of
the scepter.
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.
“What is it, Queen
Esther?”
the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half
the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
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.
“If it pleases
the king,”
Esther replied, “may
the king and
Haman come
today to
the banquet I have prepared for
the king.”
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.
And as
they drank their wine,
the king said to
Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half
the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”
Then answered
Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:
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.
If I have found favor in
the sight of
the king, and if it pleases
the king to grant my petition and
fulfill my request, may
the king and
Haman come
tomorrow to
the banquet I will prepare for
them.
Then I will answer
the king’s question.”
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.
Haman recounted to
them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all
the ways
the king had honored and promoted him over
the other officials and servants.
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.
“What is more,”
Haman added, “Queen
Esther invited no one but me to join
the king at
the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back
tomorrow along with
the king.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see
Mordecai the Jew sitting at
the king’s gate.
Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see
Mordecai the Jew sitting at
the king’s gate.”
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have
them build a
gallows fifty cubits high, and ask
the king in
the morning to have
Mordecai hanged on it.
Then go to
the banquet with
the king and enjoy
yourself.”
The advice pleased
Haman, and he had
the gallows constructed.
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.
That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him.
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.
And
there it was found recorded that
Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of
the eunuchs who guarded
the king’s entrance, when
they had
conspired to
assassinate King
Xerxes.
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.
The king inquired, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on
Mordecai for this act?” “Nothing has been done for him,” replied
the king’s attendants.
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.
“Who is in
the court?”
the king asked. Now
Haman had just entered
the outer court of
the palace to ask
the king to
hang Mordecai on
the gallows he had prepared for him.
And
the king’s servants said unto him, Behold,
Haman standeth in
the court. And
the king said, Let him come in.
So
the king’s attendants answered him, “
Haman is
there, standing in
the court.” “Bring him in,” ordered
the king.
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?
Haman entered, and
the king asked him, “What should be done for
the man whom
the king is delighted to honor?” Now
Haman thought to himself, “Whom would
the king be delighted to honor more than me?”
And
Haman answered
the king, For
the man whom
the king delighteth to honour,
And
Haman told
the king, “For
the man whom
the king is delighted to honor,
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:
have
them bring a royal
robe that
the king himself has worn and a horse on which
the king himself has
ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head.
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.
Let
the robe and
the horse be entrusted to one of
the king’s most noble princes. Let
them array the man
the king wants to honor and
parade him on
the horse through
the city square,
proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for
the man whom
the king is delighted to honor!’”
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.
“
Hurry,” said
the king to
Haman, “and do just as you proposed. Take
the robe and
the horse to
Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at
the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything that you have suggested.”
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.
So
Haman took
the robe and
the horse,
arrayed Mordecai, and
paraded him through
the city square, crying out before him, “This is what is done for
the man whom
the king is delighted to honor!”
And
Mordecai came again to
the king’s gate. But
Haman hasted to his house
mourning, and having his head covered.
Then Mordecai returned to
the king’s gate. But
Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.
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.
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since
Mordecai, before whom your
downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”
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.
While
they were still speaking with
Haman,
the king’s eunuchs arrived and
rushed him to
the banquet that
Esther had prepared.
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.
and as
they drank their wine on that second day,
the king asked once more, “Queen
Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half
the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”
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:
Queen
Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases
the king, grant me my life as my petition, and
the lives of my people as my request.
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.
For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and
annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would
justify burdening
the king.”
Then King
Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen
Esther, “Who is this, and where is
the one who would
devise such a scheme?”
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.
In his
fury,
the king arose from drinking his wine and went to
the palace garden, while
Haman stayed behind to
beg Queen
Esther for his life, for he realized that
the king was
planning a terrible fate for him.
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
the king’s mouth,
they covered
Haman’s face.
Just as
the king returned from
the palace garden to
the banquet hall,
Haman was falling on
the couch where
Esther was
reclining.
The king
exclaimed, “Would he actually
assault the queen while I am in
the palace?” As soon as
the words had left
the king’s mouth,
they covered
Haman’s face.
And Harbonah, one of
the chamberlains, said before
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.
Then Harbonah, one of
the eunuchs attending
the king, said: “
There is a
gallows fifty cubits high at
Haman’s house. He had it built for
Mordecai, who gave
the report that saved
the king.” “
Hang him on it!” declared
the king.
