1. This is what happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.
2. At that time King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the castle in Shushan.
3. In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his princes and his servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media plus the nobles and officials of the provinces were present.
4. He displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty for many days, 180 days.
5. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the garden court of the king’s palace for all the people who were present in the palace at Shushan, for both the greatest to the least.
6. There were white and blue linen curtains hung by cords of fine linen and purple on silver rings and marble columns, gold and silver couches on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, marble, mother-of-pearl and minerals.
7. Wine was served in golden goblets, each of which was different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant according to the king’s wealth.
8. In keeping with the law, there were no restrictions on drinking for the king had instructed the supervisors of his household to comply with each person’s desire.