 chapters 1 through 5 of Esther, American Standard Version. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sam Stinson chapter 1. Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus. This is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even unto Ethiopia over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces that in those days when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom which was in Shushan, the palace. 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. When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and four score days. And when these days were fulfilled the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan, the palace, both great and small, seven days in the court of the garden of the king's palace. There were hangings of white cloth, of green and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble. The couches were of gold and silver upon a pavement of red and white and yellow and black marble and they gave them drink and vessels of gold, the vessels being diverse one from another. And royal wine in abundance according to the bounty of the king and the drinking was according to the law. None could compel for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Also Vashti, the queen, made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day when the heart of the king was married with wine, he commanded Mahuman, Bistha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abaghtha, Zathar, and Karkis, the seven chamberlands that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king, with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlands. Therefore was the king very roth and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times, for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment. And the next unto him were Karshanah, Shethar, Ad-Mathah, Tarshish, Me-res, Mar-senah, and Me-mu-ken, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom. What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlands? And Me-mu-ken 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 peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible 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, and this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king's princes. So will there arise much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go forth 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. And when the king's decree, which he shall make, shall be published throughout all his kingdom, for it is great. All the wives will give to their husbands honor, both too great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Me-mu-ken, 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 should speak according to the language of his people. After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what was decreed against her, then said the king's servants that ministered unto him. Let there be fair young virgins sought 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 Hegai, the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women, and let their things for purification be given them, and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti, and the thing pleaseth the king, and he did so. There was a certain Jew and Shushan, the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimi, the son of Kish, a benjamite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jecaniah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was fair and beautiful, and when her father and mother were dead Mordecai took her for 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 taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women, and the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him, and he speedily gave her things for purification with her portions, and the seven maidens who were meat to be given her out of the king's house, and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred, for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known, and Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her. Now, when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to King Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months, for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and wit the things for the purifying of the women, then in this wise came the 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. 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 who kept the concubines. She came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name. Now, when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abi Ha'il, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Haggai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed, and Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon 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. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness 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. 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 bounty of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate. Esther had not yet made known 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 was sitting in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlands, big, thin, and tarish, of those that kept the threshold, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king, ahasaris. And the thing became known to Mordecai, who showed it unto Esther, the queen, and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree, and it was written in the book of the Chronicles before the king. Chapter 3 After these things did king Ahasaris promote Haman, the son of Ham Medatha, the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king's servants that were in the king's gate bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. Then the king's servants that were in the king's gate set unto Mordecai. Why transgresses thou the king's commandment? 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 down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasaris, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, which is the month Nisan in the twelfth year of King Ahasaris, they cast Purr that is the lot before Haman, from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. And Haman said unto King Ahasaris, There is a certain people, scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples, in all the provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws are diverse from those of every people. Neither keep they the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it pleased the king, let it be written that they be destroyed. And I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the son of Ham Medatha, the Agagite, the Jews enemy. 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. Then were the king's scribes called in, the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof. And there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king's satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language. And the name of King Ahasaris was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring. And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, and 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. A copy of the writing that the decree should be given out in every province was published unto all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went forth in haste by the king's commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan, the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed. Now, when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes and put on satcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry. And he came even before the king's gate, for none might enter within the king's gate clothed with satcloth. And in every province, whither so ever 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 satcloth and ashes. And Esther's maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her, and the queen was exceedingly grieved, and she sent Raymond to clothe Mordecai and to take his satcloth from off him, but he received it not. Then called Esther for Hathak, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai to know what this was and why it was. So Hathak went forth to Mordecai, unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king's gate, and Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay the king's treasuries for the Jews to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushen to destroy them, to show 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. And Hathak came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Then Esther spake unto Hathak, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying, 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 and to the inner court who is not called. There is one law for him that he be put to death, except those to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter that he may live. But I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther. Think not with thyself, that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews, for if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place. But thou and thy father's house will perish. And who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai. Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushen, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will fast in like manner, and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. End of chapter 4. Chapter 5 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 entrance of the house. And it was so when the king saw Esther, the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. Then said the king under her, What wilt thou, Queen Esther? And what is thy request? It shall be given thee, even to the half of the kingdom. And Esther said, If it seemed good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath set. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 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? Then answered Esther and said, My petition, and my request, is, if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleased 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. Then went Haman forth that day, joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman refrained himself and went home, and he sent and fetched his friends in Zeresh, his wife. And Haman recounted unto them 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 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 also am I invited by her together with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends unto him. Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king, that Mordecai may be hanged thereon. Then go thou and merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the gallows to be made. End of chapter 5 Chapters 6-10 of Esther, American Standard Version. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Sam Stinson. Chapter 6 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. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Big Thanah and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, of those that kept the threshold, who had sought to lay hands on the king of Hazris. And the king said, What honor and dignity hath Ben bestowed on Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him. There's nothing done for him. 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. And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? And Haman said unto the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honor, Let royal apparel be brought, Which the king useth to wear, And the horse that the king righteth upon, And on the head of which a crowned royal is set. And let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, That they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honor, And cause him to ride 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 honor. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste and take the apparel and the horse as thou hast set, And do even so to Mordecai the Jew, That citeth at the king's gate, Let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. And took Haman the apparel and the horse, And arrayed Mordecai, And caused him to ride through the street of the city, And proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasteth to his house, mourning and having his head covered. And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then said his wise men in Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai before whom thou hast begun to fall, Be of the seed of the Jews, Thou shalt not prevail against him, But shalt surely fall before him. While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen, 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, Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed? Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor 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. For we are sold, I and my people, To be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bond men and bond women, I had held my peace. Although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage. Then spake the king of Hasris and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, That durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, Even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen, And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine, And 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. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine, And Haman was fallen upon the couch where on Esther was. Then said the king, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then said Harbona, one of the chamberlains that were before the king. Behold also the gallows fifty cubits high which Haman hath made for Mordecai, Who spake good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the jew's enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, And gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, And besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, And his device that he had devised against the jew's. Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose and stood before the king, and she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, And the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, Let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, The son of Ham Med Atha, the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the jew's, That are in all the king's provinces. For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the jew. Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, And him they have hanged upon the gallows, Because he laid his hand upon the jew's. Write ye also to the jew's, as it pleaseth you, In the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring, For the writing which is written in the king's name, And sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. Then were the king's scribes called at that time, In the third month, Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof, And it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the jews, And to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces, Which are from India unto Ethiopia, A hundred and twenty and seven provinces, Unto every province according to the writing thereof, And unto every people after their language, And to the jews according to their writing, And according to their language. And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, And sealed it with the king's ring, And sent letters by posts on horseback, Writing on swiss steeds that were used in the king's service, Bread of the stud. Wherein the king granted the jews that were in every city, To gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, To destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, All the power of the people in province that would assault them, Their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. Upon one day, and all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, Namely upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Which is the month Adar. A copy of the writing that the decree should be given out in every province Was published unto all the peoples, And that the jews should be ready against that day To avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that wrote upon swiss steeds That were used in the king's service went out, Being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment, And the decree was given out in Shushan, the palace. And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king In royal apparel of blue and white, And with a great crown of gold, And with a robe of fine linen and purple, And the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The jews had light and gladness and joy and honor, And in every province and in every city, Whither so ever the king's commandment and his decree came, The jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day, And many from among the peoples of the land became jews, For the fear of the jews was fallen upon them. Now, in the twelfth month, Which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, When the king's commandment and his decree Drew near to be put in execution, On the day that the enemies of the jews Hoped to have rule over them, Whereas it was turned to the contrary, That the jews had rule over them that hated them. The jews gathered themselves together in their cities Throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, To lay hand on such as sought their hurt, And no man could withstand them, For the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples, And all the princes of the provinces, And the satraps and the governors, And they that did the king's business helped the jews, Because the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king's house, And his fame went forth throughout all the provinces, For the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater, And the jews smote all their enemies With the stroke of the sword, And with slaughter and destruction, And did what they would unto them that hated them. And in Chuchin the palace, The jews slew and destroyed five hundred men, In Parshandatha, in Delfin, in Aspatha, in Poratha, In Adalia, in Aridatha, in Parmeshta, In Arisai, in Aridai, in Vaizatha, The ten sons of Haman, The son of Hammedatha, the jews enemy, slew they, But on the spoil they laid not their hand. On that day the number of those that were slain in Chuchin the palace Was brought before the king. And the king said unto Esther the queen, The jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Chuchin the palace, And the ten sons of Haman, What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is thy petition, and it shall be granted thee? Or what is thy request further, and it shall be done? Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the jews, That our in Chuchin to do tomorrow also according unto this day's decree, And let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done, And a decree was given out in Chuchin, And they hanged Haman's ten sons. And the jews that were in Chuchin gathered themselves together On the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, And slew three hundred men in Chuchin. But on the spoil they laid not their hand. And the other jews that were in the king's provinces Gathered themselves together and stood for their lives And had rest from their enemies, And slew of them that hated them seventy and five thousand. But on the spoil they laid not their hand. This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, And on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, And made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the jews that were in Chuchin assembled together On the thirteenth day thereof, And on the fourteenth thereof, And on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, And made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore do the jews of the villages that dwell in the unwalled towns Make the fourteenth day of the month Adar A day of gladness and feasting, And a good day, and of sending portions one to another. And Mordecai wrote these things, And sent letters unto all the jews That were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, Both nigh and far, to enjoin them That they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, And the fifteenth day of the same, yearly. As the days wherein the jews had rest from their enemies, And the month which was turned unto them From sorrow to gladness, And from mourning into a good day, That they should make them days of feasting and gladness, And of sending portions one to another, And gifts to the poor. And the jews undertook to do as they had begun, And as Mordecai had written unto them, Because Haman, the son of Hammedathah, the Agagite, The enemy of all the jews, Had plotted against the jews to destroy them, And had cast purr, that is the lot, To consume them, and to destroy them. But when the matter came before the king, He commanded by letters that his wicked device, Which he had devised against the jews, Should return upon his own head, And that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called these days, Purim, after the name Purr. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, And of that which they had seen concerning this matter, And that which had come unto them, The jews ordained and took upon them, And upon their seed, And upon all such as joined themselves unto them, So that it should not fail, That they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, And according to the appointed time thereof, Every year, And that these days should be remembered and kept Throughout every generation, every family, Every province, and every city. And that these days of Purim Should not fail from among the jews, Nor the remembrance of them perish from their seed. Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail And Mordecai the jew, Wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim, And he sent letters unto all the jews, To the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, With words of peace and truth, To confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, According as Mordecai the jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, And as they had ordained for themselves, And for their seed, In the matter of the fastings and their cry. And the commandment of Esther Confirmed these matters of Purim, And it was written in the book. End of chapter 9 Chapter 10 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, And upon the aisles of the sea, And all the acts of his power and of his might, And the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, Where unto the king advanced him, Are they not written in the book of the chronicles Of the kings of media and Persia? For Mordecai the jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, And great among the jews, And accepted of the multitude of his brethren, Seeking the good of his people, And speaking peace to all his seed. End of chapter 10 And also the end of Esther, American Standard Version