Ester 1

NOVA VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Et fuit in diebus Asueri, qui regnavit ab India usque Aethiopiam super centumviginti septem provincias,	1 During the reign of Ahasuerus-this was the Ahasuerus who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia-
2 quando sedit in solio regni sui in castris Susan,	2 while he was occupying the royal throne in the stronghold of Susa,
3 tertio igitur anno imperii sui, fecit grande convivium cunctis principibus etpueris suis, fortissimis Persarum et Medorum, inclitis et praefectisprovinciarum coram se,	3 in the third year of his reign, he presided over a feast for all his officers and ministers: the Persian and Median aristocracy, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces.
4 ut ostenderet divitias gloriae regni sui ac splendorematque iactantiam magnitudinis suae multo tempore, centum videlicet et octogintadiebus.	4 For as many as a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the resplendent wealth of his royal estate.
5 Cumque implerentur dies convivii, invitavit omnem populum, qui inventus est inSusan, a maximo usque ad minimum; et septem diebus iussit convivium praeparariin vestibulo horti palatii regis.	5 At the end of this time the king gave a feast of seven days in the garden court of the royal palace for all the people, great and small, who were in the stronghold of Susa.
6 Et pendebant ex omni parte tentoria linteaet carbasina ac hyacinthina sustentata funibus byssinis atque purpureis, quiargenteis circulis inserti erant et columnis marmoreis fulciebantur; lectuliquoque aurei et argentei dispositi erant super pavimentum smaragdino et pariostratum lapide aliisque varii coloris.	6 There were white cotton draperies and violet hangings, held by cords of crimson byssus from silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were on the pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.
7 Bibebant autem, qui invitati erant,aureis poculis, aliis atque aliis; vinum quoque, ut magnificentia regia dignumerat, abundans et praecipuum ponebatur.	7 Liquor was served in a variety of golden cups, and the royal wine flowed freely, as befitted the king's munificence.
8 Nec erat qui cogeret ad bibendum,quoniam sic rex statuerat omnibus praepositis domus suae, ut facerent secundumuniuscuiusque voluntatem.	8 By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone.
9 Vasthi quoque regina fecit convivium feminarum in palatio regio, ubi rexAsuerus manere consueverat.	9 Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women inside the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
10 Itaque die septimo, cum rex esset hilarior potione meri, praecepit Mauman etBazatha et Harbona et Bagatha et Abgatha et Zethar et Charchas, septem eunuchis,qui in conspectu eius ministrabant,	10 On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he instructed Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerus,
11 ut introducerent reginam Vasthi coramrege, posito super caput eius diademate regni, ut ostenderet cunctis populis etprincipibus pulchritudinem illius; erat enim pulchra valde.	11 to bring Queen Vashti into his presence wearing the royal crown, that he might display her beauty to the populace and the officials, for she was lovely to behold.
12 Quae renuit et ad regis imperium, quod per eunuchos mandaverat, venirecontempsit; unde iratus rex et nimio furore succensus	12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the royal order issued through the eunuchs. At this the king's wrath flared up, and he burned with fury.
13 interrogavit sapientes,qui tempora noverant, et illorum faciebat cuncta consilio scientium leges aciura maiorum —	13 He conferred with the wise men versed in the law, because the king's business was conducted in general consultation with lawyers and jurists.
14 erant autem ei proximi Charsena et Sethar et Admatha etTharsis et Mares et Marsana et Mamuchan, septem duces Persarum atque Medorum,qui videbant faciem regis et primi sedebant in regno C:	14 He summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven Persian and Median officials who were in the king's personal service and held first rank in the realm,
15 “ Secundum legemquid oportet fieri Vasthi reginae, quae Asueri regis imperium, quod per eunuchosmandaverat, facere noluit? ”.	15 and asked them, "What is to be done by law with Queen Vashti for disobeying the order of King Ahasuerus issued through the eunuchs?"
16 Responditque Mamuchan, audiente rege atque principibus: “ Non solum regemlaesit regina Vasthi, sed et omnes principes et populos, qui sunt in cunctisprovinciis regis Asueri.	16 In the presence of the king and of the officials, Memucan answered: "Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but all the officials and the populace throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
17 Egredietur enim sermo reginae ad omnes mulieres, utcontemnant viros suos et dicant: “Rex Asuerus iussit, ut regina Vasthiintraret ad eum, et illa noluit”.	17 For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and they will look with disdain upon their husbands when it is reported, "King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be ushered into his presence, but she would not come.'
18 Atque hac ipsa die dicent omnes principumconiuges Persarum atque Medorum quem audierint sermonem reginae principibusregis; unde despectio et indignatio.	18 This very day the Persian and Median ladies who hear of the queen's conduct will rebel against all the royal officials, with corresponding disdain and rancor.
19 Si tibi, rex, placet, egrediatur edictuma facie tua et scribatur inter leges Persarum atque Medorum, quas immutariillicitum est, ut nequaquam ultra Vasthi ingrediatur ad regem, sed regnum illiusaltera, quae melior illa est, accipiat.	19 If it please the king, let an irrevocable royal decree be issued by him and inscribed among the laws of the Persians and Medes, forbidding Vashti to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus and authorizing the king to give her royal dignity to one more worthy than she.
20 Et hoc in omne, quod latissimum est,provinciarum tuarum divulgetur imperium, et cunctae uxores, tam maiorum quamminorum, deferent maritis suis honorem ”.	20 Thus, when the decree which the king will issue is published throughout his realm, vast as it is, all wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least."
21 Placuit consilium eius regi et principibus, fecitque rex iuxta consiliumMamuchan.	21 This proposal found acceptance with the king and the officials, and the king acted on the advice of Memucan.
22 Et misit epistulas ad universas provincias regni sui, ut quaequegens audire et legere poterat, diversis linguis et litteris, esse virosprincipes ac maiores in domibus suis et subditas habere omnes mulieres, quaeessent cum eis.	22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, to the effect that every man should be lord in his own home.