Esther 1:1–2:23
Septuagint (Brenton) compared with World English Bible (Masoretic-derived)
Full reading for Day 212
Esther 1:1–2:23 · Psalm 88 (MT: 89) · Proverbs 22:5–6 · Romans 2:1–29
This Book Has Restored Content
The MT removes God entirely from the Book of Esther. The Masoretic version does not mention God a single time.
God references: 52 LXX vs 0 MT+107 verses in LXX
Showing Esther 1:1 through 2:23
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Septuagint (Brenton)
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World English Bible
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1[In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great king, on the first [day] of Nisan, Mardochæus the [son] of Jairus, the [son] of Semeias, the [son] of Cisæus, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Jew dwelling in the city Susa, a great man, serving in the king's palace, saw a vision. Now he was of the captivity which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried captive from Jerusalem, with Jechonias the king of Judea. And this [was] his dream: Behold, voices and a noise, thunders and earthquake, tumult upon the earth. And, behold, two great serpents came forth, both ready for conflict, and there came from them a great voice, and by their voice every nation was prepared for battle, even to fight against the nation of the just. And, behold, a day of darkness and blackness, tribulation and anguish, affliction and great tumult upon the earth. And all the righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own afflictions; and they prepared to die, and cried to God: and from their cry there came as it were a great river from a little fountain, [even] much water. And light and the sun arose, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the honourable. And Mardochæus who had seen this vision and what God designed to do, having awoke, kept it in his heart, and desired by all means to interpret it, even till night. And Mardochæus rested quiet in the palace with Gabatha and Tharrha the king's two chamberlains, eunuchs who guarded the palace. And he heard their reasonings and searched out their plans, and learnt that they were preparing to lay hands on king Artaxerxes: and he informed the king concerning them. And the king examined the two chamberlains, and they confessed, and were executed. And the king wrote these things for a memorial; also Mardochæus wrote concerning these matters. And the king commanded Mardochæus to attend in the palace, and gave him gifts for this service. And Aman the son of Amadathes the Bugæan was honourable in the sight of the king, and he endeavoured to hurt Mardochæus and his people, because of the two chamberlains of the king.] And it came to pass after these things in the days of Artaxerxes,—(this Artaxerxes ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India)—
1Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),
2in those days, when king Artaxerxes was on the throne in the city of Susa ,
2in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,
3in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to his friends, and the other nations, and to the nobles of the Persians and Medes, and the chief of the satraps.
3in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces being before him.
4And after this, after he had shewn to them the wealth of his kingdom, and the abundant glory of his wealth during a hundred and eighty days,
4He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
5when, [I say], the days of the marriage feast were completed, the king made a banquet to the nations who were present in the city six days, in the court of the king's house,
5When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Susa the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
6[which was] adorned with [hangings] of fine linen and flax on cords of fine linen and purple, fastened to golden and silver studs, on pillarsof Parian marble and stone: [there were] golden and silver couches on a pavement of emerald stone, and of pearl, and of Parian stone, and open-worked coverings variously flowered, [having] roses worked round about;
6There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
7gold and silver cups, and a small cup of carbuncle set out of the value of thirty thousand talents, abundant and sweet wine , which the king himself drank.
7They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
8And this banquet was not according to the appointed law; but so the king would have it: and he charged the stewards to perform his will and that of the company.
8In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
9Also Astin the queen made a banquet for the women in the palace where king Artaxerxes [dwelt].
9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10Now on the seventh daythe king, being merry , told Aman, and Bazan, and Tharrha, and Barazi, and Zatholtha, and Abataza, and Tharaba, the seven chamberlains, servants of king Artaxerxes,
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,
11to bring in the queen to him, to enthrone her, and crown her with the diadem, and to shew her to the princes, and her beauty to the nations: for she was beautiful.
11to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
12But queen Astin hearkened not to him to come with the chamberlains: so the king was grieved and angered.
12But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.
13And he said to his friends, Thus has Astin spoken: pronounce therefore upon this [case] law and judgment.
13Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
14So Arkesæus, and Sarsathæus, and Malisear, the princes of the Persians and Medes, who were near the king, who sat chief [in rank] by the king, drew near to him,
14and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),
15and reported to him according to the laws how it was proper to do to queen Astin, because she had not done the things commanded of the king by the chamberlains.
15“What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”
16And Muchæus said to the king and to the princes, Queen Astin has not wronged the king only, but also all the king's rulers and princes:
16Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.
17for he has told them the words of the queen , and how she disobeyed the king. As then, [said he], she refused [to obey] king Artaxerxes,
17For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’
18so this day shall the other ladies of the chiefs of the Persians and Medes, having heard what she said to the king, dare in the same way to dishonour their husbands.
18Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.
19If then it seem good to the king, let him make a royal decree, and let it be written according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, and let him not alter [it]: and let not the queen come in to him any more; and let the king give her royalty to a woman better than she.
19“If it pleases the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.
20And let the law of the kingwhich he shall have made, be widely proclaimed, in his kingdom: and so shall all the women give honour to their husbands , from the poor even to the rich.
20When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”
21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did as Muchæus had said,
21This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:
22and sent into all his kingdom through the several provinces, according to their language, in order that men might be feared in their own houses.
22for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.
1And after this the king's anger was pacified, and he no more mentioned Astin, bearing in mind what she had said, and how he had condemned her.
1After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2Then the servants of the kingsaid, Let there be sought for the king chaste [and] beautiful young virgins.
2Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
3And let the king appoint local governors in all the provinces of his kingdom, and let them select fair [and] chaste young damsels [and bring them] to the city Susa, into the women's apartment, and let them be consigned to the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women; and let things for purification and other attendance be given [to them].
3Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;
4And let the woman who shall please the king be queen instead of Astin. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
4and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
5Now there was a Jew in the city Susa, and his name was Mardochæus, the [son] of Jairus, [the son] of Semeias, [the son] of Cisæus, of the tribe of Benjamin;
5There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
6who had been brought a prisoner from Jerusalem , which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried into captivity.
6who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7And he had a foster-child, daughter of Aminadab his father's brother, and her name [was] Esther; and when her parents were dead, he brought her up for a wife for himself: and the damsel was beautiful.
7He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8And because the king's ordinance was published, many damsels were gathered to the city Susa under the hand of Gai; and Esther was brought to Gai the keeper of the women.
8So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9And the damsel pleased him, and she found favour in his sight; and he hasted to give her the things for purification, and her portion, and the seven maidens appointed her out of the palace: and he treated her and her maidens well in the women's apartment.
9The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.
10But Esther discovered not her family nor her kindred: for Mardochæus had charged her not to tell.
10Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.
11But Mardochæus used to walk every day by the women's court, to see what would become of Esther.
11Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
12Now this was the time for a virgin to go in to the king, when she should have fulfilled twelve months; for so are the days of purification fulfilled, six months while they are anointing themselves with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices and women's purifications.
12Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).
13And then [the damsel] goes in to the king; and [the officer] to whomsoever he shall give the command, will bring her to come in with him from the women's apartment to the king's chamber.
13The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house.
14She enters in the evening , and in the morning she departs to the second women's apartment, where Gai the king's chamberlain [is] keeper of the women: and she goes not in to the king again, unless she should be called by name.
14In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
15And when the time was fulfilled for Estherthe daughter of Aminadab the brother of Mardochæus' father to go in to the king, she neglected nothing which the chamberlain, the women's keeper , commanded; for Esther found grace in the sight of all that looked upon her.
15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16So Esther went in to king Artaxerxes in the twelfth month, which is Adar, in the seventh year of his reign.
16So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17And the king loved Esther , and she found favour beyond all the [other] virgins: and he put on her the queen's crown.
17The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18And the king made a banquet for all his friends and great men for seven days, and he highly celebrated the marriage of Esther; and he made a release to those who were under his dominion.
18Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.
19But Mardochæus served in the palace.
19When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
20Now Esther had not discovered her kindred; for so Mardochæus commanded her , to fear God, and perform his commandments, as when she was with him: and Esther changed not her manner of life.
20Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
21And two chamberlains of the king, the chiefs of the body-guard, were grieved, because Mardochæus was promoted; and they sought to kill king Artaxerxes.
21In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
22And the matter was discovered to Mardochæus, and he made it known to Esther, and she declared to the king the matter of the conspiracy.
22This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.
23And the king examined the two chamberlains, and hanged them: and the king gave orders to make a note for a memorial in the royal records of the good offices of Mardochæus, as a commendation.
23When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.