- 1 Esther 1 1 Esther 1 (22 verses in the MT) opens: Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even to Ethiopia, an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) The middle of the chapter continues: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. It closes: 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 should be.
- 2 Esther 2 2 Esther 2 (23 verses in the MT) opens: After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. The middle of the chapter continues: Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, , six months with. It closes: And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
- 3 Esther 3 3 Esther 3 (15 verses in the MT) opens: After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that with him. The middle of the chapter continues: And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; and their laws diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's. It closes: The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
- 4 Esther 4 4 Esther 4 (17 verses in the MT) opens: When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; The middle of the chapter continues: And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. It closes: So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
- 5 Esther 5 5 Esther 5 (14 verses in the MT) opens: Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on royal , and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against. The middle of the chapter continues: If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to. It closes: Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends to him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak you to the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go you in merrily with the king to the.
- 6 Esther 6 6 Esther 6 (14 verses in the MT) opens: On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. The middle of the chapter continues: Let the royal apparel be brought which the king to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: It closes: And while they yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
- 7 Esther 7 7 Esther 7 (10 verses in the MT) opens: So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. The middle of the chapter continues: And Esther said, The adversary and enemy this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. It closes: So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
- 8 Esther 8 8 Esther 8 (17 verses in the MT) opens: On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he to her. The middle of the chapter continues: Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that , the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the. It closes: And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of.
- 9 Esther 9 9 Esther 9 (32 verses in the MT) opens: Now in the twelfth month, that , the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have. The middle of the chapter continues: On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. It closes: And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
- 10 Esther 10 10 Esther 10 (3 verses in the MT) opens: And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and the isles of the sea. The middle of the chapter continues: And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? It closes: For Mordecai the Jew next to king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.