Esther 1:1-13

1 Now it happened in the days of Achashverosh (this is Achashverosh who reigned from Hoddu even to Kush, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),
2 that in those days, when the king Achashverosh sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
3 in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his princes and his servants; the power of Paras and Madai, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
4 when he shown the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.
5 When these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.
6 [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, on a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black marble.
7 They gave them drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one from another), and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.
8 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.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Achashverosh.
10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizeta, Harvona, Bigta, and Avagta, Zetar, and Karkas, the seven chamberlains who ministered in the presence of Achashverosh the king,
11 to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful to look on.
12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's mitzvah by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very angry, and his anger burned in him.
13 Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment;
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.