Katolicka Biblia
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Esther, 1

1. It was in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus whose empire stretched from India to Ethiopia and comprised one hundred and twenty-seven provinces.

1. Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)

2. In those days, when King Ahasuerus was sitting on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,

2. [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,

3. in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet at his court for all his officers-of-state and ministers, Persian and Median army-commanders, nobles and provincial governors.

3. In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:

4. Thus he displayed the riches and splendour of his empire and the pomp and glory of his majesty; the festivities went on for a long time, a hundred and eighty days.

4. When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an hundred and fourscore days.

5. When this period was over, for seven days the king gave a banquet for all the people living in the citadel of Susa, to high and low alike, on the esplanade in the gardens of the royal palace.

5. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace;

6. There were white and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple thread to silver rings on marble columns, couches of gold and silver on a pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.

6. [Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

7. For drinking there were golden cups of various design and plenty of wine provided by the king with royal liberality.

7. And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.

8. The royal edict did not, however, make drinking obligatory, the king having instructed the officials of his household to treat each guest according to the guest's own wishes.

8. And the drinking [was] according to the law; none did 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. Queen Vashti, for her part, gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.

9. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women [in] the royal house which [belonged] to king Ahasuerus.

10. On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven officers in attendance on the person of King Ahasuerus,

10. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

11. to bring Queen Vashti before the king, crowned with her royal diadem, in order to display her beauty to the people and the officers-of-state, since she was very beautiful.

11. To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she [was] fair to look on.

12. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command delivered by the officers. The king was very angry at this and his rage grew hot.

12. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

13. Addressing himself to the wise men who were versed in the law -- it being the practice to refer matters affecting the king to expert lawyers and jurists-

13. Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so [was] the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

14. he summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, seven Persian and Median officers-of-state who had privileged access to the royal presence and occupied the leading positions in the kingdom.

14. And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;)

15. 'According to law,' he said, 'what is to be done to Queen Vashti for not obeying the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the officers?'

15. What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?

16. In the presence of the king and the officers-of-state, Memucan replied, 'Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officers-of-state and all the peoples inhabiting the provinces of King Ahasuerus.

16. And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

17. The queen's conduct will soon become known to all the women, who will adopt a contemptuous attitude towards their own husbands. They will say, "King Ahasuerus himself commanded Queen Vashti to appear before him and she did not come."

17. For [this] deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

18. Before the day is out, the wives of the Persian and Median officers-of-state will be telling every one of the king's officers-of-state what they have heard about the queen's behaviour; and that will mean contempt and anger all round.

18. [Likewise] shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus [shall there arise] too much contempt and wrath.

19. If it is the king's pleasure, let him issue a royal edict, to be irrevocably incorporated into the laws of the Persians and Medes, to the effect that Vashti is never to appear again before King Ahasuerus, and let the king confer her royal dignity on a worthier woman.

19. If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

20. Let this edict issued by the king be proclaimed throughout his empire -- which is great -- and all the women will henceforth bow to the authority of their husbands, both high and low alike.'

20. And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.

21. This speech pleased the king and the officers-of-state, and the king did as Memucan advised.

21. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

22. He sent letters to all the provinces of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each nation in its own language, ensuring that every husband should be master in his own house.

22. For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.



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Przypisy:

1:1-3 - The setting of King Ahasuerus's banquet highlights the opulence and power of the Persian Empire. The king's extravagance reflects the culture of luxury and ostentation, emphasizing the contrast between earthly wealth and true spiritual riches (see also Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 and 1 Timothy 6:17).

1:4-8 - The 180-day celebration of the banquet symbolizes the attempt to impress neighboring nobles and kingdoms. This event shows how the quest for human approval can lead to extravagant and foolish behavior (see also Proverbs 23:1-3 and Luke 12:15).

1:9-12 - Queen Vashti's refusal to appear before the king reveals issues of dignity and respect. Vashti's refusal to submit to the king's whims is an example of resistance to the abuse of power (see also 1 Peter 3:1-6 and Galatians 5:1).

1:13-20 - King Ahasuerus's reaction to Vashti's disobedience highlights the vulnerability of absolute power. His search for counselors to resolve the situation shows how the king's control is illusory and subject to the influence of others (see also Proverbs 15:22 and James 1:19-20).

1:21-22 - The king's command that all women honor their husbands reflects the power dynamics in family relationships at the time. This statement demonstrates the attempt to maintain order through fear and legislation (see also Ephesians 5:22-24 and 1 Peter 3:7).

Wersety związane z Esther, 1:

Esther chapter 1 introduces the context of the Persian empire. How does this crucial narrative begin? The text describes King Ahasuerus's sumptuous banquet, Queen Vashti's refusal to attend, and her subsequent deposition. This chapter sets the scene for the dramatic events that will follow, exploring themes of power, obedience, and the complexities of life at the Persian court. Esther 1 lays the foundation for the protagonist's rise and the central conflict of the book. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the introductory themes of this fundamental chapter.

Proverbs 20:1: "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a riot; Anyone who is defeated by them is not wise." - This proverb reflects on the dangers of excess alcohol, relating to King Ahasuerus' banquet in Esther 1.

1 Peter 3:1: "In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that if any of them do not obey the word, they may be won without words by the behavior of their wives." - This verse contrasts with Queen Vashti's attitude in Esther 1, offering a different perspective on marital submission.

Proverbs 31:30: "Beauty is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but the woman who fears the Lord will be praised." - This proverb offers insight into true feminine virtue, contrasting with the emphasis on physical beauty seen in Esther 1.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-2: "I thought to myself, 'Come on, now I'm going to experience joy. Discover the pleasure!' But this too proved futile. I concluded that laughter is madness, and that joy leads to nothing." - These verses reflect on the futility of worldly pleasures, relating to the excesses of Ahasuerus' banquet in Esther 1.

Romans 13:1: "Everyone must submit to government authorities, as there is no authority that does not come from God; the authorities that exist were established by him." - This verse offers perspective on governmental authority, relating to King Ahasuerus' decree in Esther 1.

FAQ:

What happened at King Ahasuerus's feast?

King Ahasuerus held a great feast for his subjects, and during it, he asked his wife, Queen Vashti, to perform. She refused, leading to her deposition. (Esther 1:10-22)

Why was Queen Vashti deposed?

Vashti was deposed for disobeying King Ahasuerus's order to perform at the festival, defying his authority and the behavior expected of a queen. (Esther 1:12-19)

What did the king do after deposing Queen Vashti?

After deposing Vashti, King Ahasuerus sought a new wife and held a contest to choose a new queen from among the young women of the kingdom. (Esther 1:19-22)

How does Esther chapter 1 reflect Persian culture?

Chapter 1 reflects Persian culture by describing the grandeur of royal feasts, the absolute power of the king, and the submissiveness of women, who were expected to obey their husbands. (Esther 1:1-22)

What is the importance of Ahasuerus' banquet?

Ahasuerus's banquet is important because it marks the king's opportunity to demonstrate his power, the position of women in Persian society, and the beginning of the plot that would lead to Esther's selection as queen. (Esther 1:3-9)


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