Cookie & Bean: Esther 1 New International Version (NIV) Queen Vashti Deposed 1 This is what #happened during the time of Xerxes,[a] the Xerxes who #ruled over 127 provinces #stretching from #India to Cush[b]: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his #royal #throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his #reign he gave a #banquet for all his #nobles and officials. The #military leaders of Persia and Media, the #princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. 4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast #wealth of his #kingdom and the splendor and #glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the #king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the #citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on #marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic #pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 #Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the #king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. #biblestudy #bibleverse #bibleverses #biblejournaling #bibleverse #bible #niv #booksofthebible #booksoftheday