[1:1] Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces,
[1:2] in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel,
[1:3] in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,
[1:4] while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.
[1:5] And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
[1:6] There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.
[1:7] Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king.
[1:8] And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.
[1:9] Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace that belonged to King Ahasuerus.