Esther preferred, + Heb. unto the band verte 8. CHAP. I I. CHAP. II. I Out of the choice of virgins, a queen is to be chosen. 5 Mordecai the nursing/ather of Esther. 8 Esther is preferred by Hezas before the rest. 12 The manner of purification, and going in to the king. 15 Esther best pleasing the king, is made queen. 21 Mordecai difcovering a treason, is recorded in the chronicles. A Fter these things, when the wrath of king Ahafuerus was appeased, he remembred Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the kings servants, that ministred unto him, Let there be fair young virgins fought for the king. 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdome, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, tunto the custody of * Hege the kings chamberlain, keeper of the women, and let *Or. Hegis their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king,be queen in stead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king, and he did fo. * 2. Kings 24:15. 5 Now in Shushan the palace, there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the sonne of fair, the sonne of Shimei, the fonne of Kish, a Benjamite: 6 * Who had been carried away from Jeruthron. falem, with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Jer.24: 1. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had 36:10. † Heb. nou rashed + Heb. fair carried away. 7 And he † brought up Hadaffah (that w Efther) his uncles daughter, for the had neither father nor mother, and the maid was of form and fair and beautifull, whom Mordecai (when good of her father and mother were dead) took for counte nance. + Heboher Portsons. his own daughter. 8 So it came to passe, when the kings commandment and his decree was heard, & when many maidens were gathered together unto Shuthan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Efther was brought also unto the kings house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindnesse 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 changed kings house, and the preferred her and her maids, unto the best place of the house of the † Heb. he bar. women. 10 Esther had not shewed her people, nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her, that the should not shew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before She is made queen. the court of the womens house, to know, Hb. 10 how Either did, & what should become of her, know the 12 Now when every maids turn was peace. come, to go in to king Ahafuerus, after that the had been twelve moneths, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the dayes of their purifications accomplished, to wit, fix moneths with oyl of myrrhe, and fix moneths with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king, whatsoever she defired was given her, to go with her out of the house of the women, unto the kings house. 14 In the evening the went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the cuftody of Shaashgaz,the kings chamberlain, which kept the concubines: the came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that the were called by name. 15 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 kings chamberlain, the keeper of the women appointed: and Efther obtained favour in the fight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Efter was taken unto king Ahafuerus, into his house royall, in the tenth moneth (which is the moneth Tebeth) in the seventh yeare of his reigne. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and * favour * Or, kind † in his fight, more then all the virgins; so that s he fet the royall crown upon her head, and fore him. made her queen in stead of Vashti.. t.Heb. be 18. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esthers feast, and he made a trelease to the provinces, & Heb. reft. and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19. And when the virgins were gathered together the fecond time, then Mordecai fat in the kings gate. 20 Efther had not yet shewed her kindred, nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: forEfther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. 21 In those dayes (while Mordecai fat in the kings gate) two of the kings chamberlains, * Bigthan and Theresh, of those which kept "Or, Bigtha † the doore, were wroth, and fought to lay "a, chap.6: hand on the king Ahafuerus: 2. ↑ Heb. shes 22 And the king was known to Mordecai, threshold.. who told it unto Efther the queen, and Efther certified the king thereof, in Mordecar's name. Rr 4 23. And Hamans fuit to the king. 7 + Heb. ESTHER. Mordecai meurneth. ver is given to thee, the people also, to do 12 Then were the kings # fcribes called on & Or, fecre 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the kings 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 moneth, (which is the moneth Adar) and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province, was published unto all people, that they should be. ready againft that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the kings commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace: and the king and Haman fat down to drink, but the city Shu shan was perplexed. CHAP. IV. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on 1 The great mourning of Mordecai and the Jews. 4 Est Mordecai alone, for they had shewed him the 7 In the first moneth (that is the moneth 8 And Haman faid unto king Ahafuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad, and difperfed among the people, in all the provinces of thy kingdome, & their laws are diverse from all people, neither keep they the kings laws;therefore it is not † for the kings profit to meet, or, fuffer them. her understanding it, sendeth to Mordecai, who shew. W Hen Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on fackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter crice: 2 And came even before the kings gate: for none might enter into the kings gate clothed with fackcloth. 3 And in every province whither soever the kings commandment, and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fafting, and weeping and wailing, and many theb. Sarklay in sackcloth and ashes. cloth and 4 So Esthers maids, and her † chamber-ashes were laid under lains came and told it her: then was the queen many. exceedingly grieved, and she sent raiment tot Heb. enclothe Mordecai, and to take away his fack-nuchs. cloth from him: but he received it not. + Heb. 5 Then called Either for Hatach, one of the kings chamberlains, twhom he had appointed when to attend upon her, and gave him a command-had fer bement to Mordecai, to know what it was, and fore her. why it was. 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city, which was before the kings gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the fumme of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the kings treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 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 declaré it unto her, and to charge her that the should go in unto the king, to make fupplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Again Efther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the kings servants and the people of the kings 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 dayes. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esthers words. 13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thy felf that thou shalt escape in the kings house, more then all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace + Heb. ro- at this time, then shall there † enlargement Spiration and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy fathers house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth, whether thou art come to the kingdome for fuch a time as this? found. fed. Heb. 15. Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, N th Mordecai contemneth Haman. Ow it came to paffe on the third day, at Efther put on her royall apparel, and stood in the inner court of the kings house, over against the kings house: and the king fat upon his royall throne in the royall house, over against the gate of the house. 2 And it was so when the king faw Efther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his fight: and the king held out to Efther the golden fceptre that was in his hand: fo Esther drew neare and touched the top of the fceptre. 3 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 kingdome. 4 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. 5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said: so the king and Haman came to the banquet that Efther had prepared. 6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What u thy petition ? and it shall be granted thee, and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdome it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition, and my request is; 8 If I have found favour in the fight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and † to perform my request, let the Heb.to do. king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath faid. 9 Then went Haman forth that day, joyfull, and with a glad heart: but when Haman faw Mordecai in the kings gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. 10 Neverthelesse, Haman refrained himfelf, and when he came home, he fent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are † present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three dayes, night ort day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise, and fo will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish. H.b. faf 17 So Mordecai † went his way, and did according to al that Esther had commanded him. | CHAP. Haman to a V. 1 Efther adventuring on the kings favour, obtaineth the grace of the golden fceptre, and inviteth the king and banquet. 6 She being incouraged by the king in ber fuit. inviteth them to another banquet the next day. 9 Haman proud of his advancement, repineth at the contempt of Mordecai. 14 By the counfel of Zeresh, he buildeth for him a pair of gallows. Heb. cau And Haman told them of the glory of sed to come. 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. 12 Haman faid moreover, Yea, Efther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared, but my felf; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew fitting at the kings gare. 141 Then Rr5 J 3 And the king faid, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the kings servants that ministred unto him, There is nothing done for him. to 4 And the king said, Who is in the court? (now Haman was come into the outward court of the kings house, speak unto the king, to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him) 5 And the kings servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king faid, Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in: and the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man. + Heb. is whom the king delighteth to honour? (now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more then to my self?) whose henour the king de. lightesh + Heb. in whise bo nour he king de 7 And Haman answered the king, For the mant whom the king delighteth to honour. 8. Let the royall apparel be brought † which the king useth to wear, and the horse lighteth. that the king rideth upon, and the crown ro+ Heb. let yall which is fet upon his head: them bring the royall apparel. ↑ Heb. 9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the kings most noble princes, that they may aray the man withwhere with all whom the king delighteth to honour, and the king clotheth hmielf. Toring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall because it be done to the man whom the king delight ham to ride. eth to honour. To Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel, and the horfe, as dou haft faid, and do even so to Mordecai the Haman accused and hanged. Jew, that fitteth at the kings gate: † let no- Heb. fuffer thing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horfe, and arayed 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 kings gate: but Hanian hasted to his house, mourning, and having his head covered. 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends, every thing that had befallen him. Then faid his wife men, and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the feed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fail, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt furely fall before him. 14. And while they were yet talking with him, came the kings chamberlains, and hafted to bring Haman unto the banquct that Efther had prepared. CHAP. VII. I Esther entertaining the king and Haman, maketh fuit for her own life and her peoples. 5 She accuseth Haman. 7 The king in his anger understanding of the gallows, which Haman had made for Mordecai, causeth h imtobe hanged thereon. S not a wlist to fail. O the king and Haman came to banquet Heb. to with Efther the queen. 2 And the king said again to Efther, 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 kingdome. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and faid, If I have found favour in thy fight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. drink. . they shou'd destroy and 4 For we are fold, I and my people, t to be Heb. that destroyed, to be flain, and to perish: but if we had been fold for bond-men & bond-women, kill, and I had held my tongue, although the enemy cause to could not countervail the kings damage. perish. Then the king Ahafuerus answered and faid unto Efther the queen, Who is he?and where is he † that durst prefume in his heart Heb to do fo? whose heart hath filled † Heb. the 6 And Esther faid, † The adversary and ene- him. my, is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was man adafraid before the king and the queen. ve:fary. 7 And the king arifing from the banquet & Or, at the of wine in his wrath, went into the palace-gar-prefence of. den; and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Efther the queen: for he faw that there was evil determined against him by the king 8. Chens Mordecai is advanced. CHAP. VIII. IX. The Jews granteth to defend themselves. 8 Then the king returned out of the palacegarden, into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Efther is. Then said the king, Will he force * Heb.with the queen also † before me in the house? As the word went out of the kings mouth, they covered Hamans face. 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, + Heb, we faid 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 faid, Hang him thereon. JO So they hanged Haman on the galows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was thekings wrath pacified. CHAP. VIII. I Mordecai is advanced. 3 Efther maketh fuit to re- N that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house ofHaman the Jews enemy, unto Efther the queen: and Mordecai came before the king, for Efther had told what he was unto her. 2 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. 3 And Esther spake yet again before the + Heb. and king, and fell down at his feet † and befought wept him with tears, to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. befought tim. diuice. 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, 5 And faid, Ifit please the king, and if I have found favour in his fight, and the thingseem | right before the king, and I be pleasing in his + Heb. the eyes; let it be written to reverset the letters devised by Hawan the fonne of Hammedatha the Agagite, & which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the kings provinces: † Heb. be 6 For how can I T endure to fee the evil that able that I shal come unto my people ? or how can I endure to fee the destruction of my kindred? Or, who Erate. may fee. 7 Then the king Ahafuerus faid unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, Ihave given Efther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he land his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the kings name, and feal it with the kings ring: for the writing which is written in the *Se chap, kings name, and fealed with the kings ring, * by no manreverse. 9 Then were the kings scribes called at that time in the third moneth (that is the moneth Sivan) on the three and twentieth day thereof, and it was written (according to all that Mordecai commanded) unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and feven 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. 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus name, and fealed it with the kingsring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: II Wherein the king granted the Jews, which were in every city, to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to flay, and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province, that would affault them, both little ones, and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey : 12 Upon one day, in all the provinces of king Ahafuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth, which is the moneth Adar. 1 13 The copy of writing, for a commandment to be given in every province, wast pu- + Hebre blished unto all people, and that the Jews vealed. should be readdy againft that day, to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14. So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened, and pressed on by the kings commandment; and the decre was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king, in royall apparel of ‡ for, violet blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, & with a garment of fine linen, & purple; & the city of Shushan rejoyced & was glad: 16 The Jews had light and gladnesse, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the kings commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladneffe, a feaft and a good day: and many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. CHAP. IX. |