be

For this deed of the queene shall come abroad vnto all women, so that they shal despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall bee reported; The king Ahasuerus commanded Uasthi the queene to be brought in before him, but she came not.

If it please the king, let there go a royall commandement from him, and let it bee written among the lawes of the Persians, and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Uasthi come no more before king Ahasuerus, and let the king giue her royall estate vnto another that is better then she.

1611 marginal noteHeb. if it be good with the king.

1611 marginal noteHeb. from before him.

1611 marginal noteHeb. that it passe not away.

1611 marginal noteHebr. vnto her companion.

And when the kings decree, which he shal make, shalbe published throughout all his empire, (for it is great:) all the wiues shall giue to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

For he sent letters into all the kings prouinces, into euery prouince, according to the writing thereof, and to euery people after their language, that euery man should beare rule in his owne house, and that it should be published according to the language of euerie people.

1611 marginal noteHebr. that one should publish it according to the language of his people.

Then saide the kings seruants, that ministred vnto him, Let there bee faire yong virgins sought for the king:

And let the king appoint officers in all the prouinces of his kingdome, that they may gather together all the faire yong virgins vnto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women vnto the custodie of Hege the kings chamberlaine, keeper of the women, and let their things for purification bee giuen them:

1611 marginal noteHeb. vnto the hand.

1611 marginal noteOr, Hegai, ver.8.

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king, bee Queene in stead of Uasthi. And the thing pleased the king, and he did so.

And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindnesse of him, and hee speedily gaue her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seuen maidens, which were meet to be giuen her, out of the Kings house, and hee preferred her and her maids, vnto the best place of the house of the women.

1611 marginal noteHeb. her portions.

1611 marginal noteHebr. hee changed her.

If it please the king, let it be written, that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of siluer to the handes of those that haue the charge of the businesse, to bring it into the kings treasuries.

1611 marginal noteHeb. to destroy them.

1611 marginal noteHeb. weigh.

The copie of the writing for a commandement to bee giuen in euery prouince, was published vnto all people, that they should bee ready against that day.