Thursday in Season after Pentecost

1Verse 1. This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. 2Verse 2. In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. 3Verse 3. In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. 4Verse 4. And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness. 5Verse 5. At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of Susa, from the least to the greatest. 6Verse 6. Hangings of white and blue linen were fastened with cords of fine white and purple material to silver rings on the marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were arranged on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. 7Verse 7. Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. 8Verse 8. By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired. 9Verse 9. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. 10Verse 10. On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him — Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas — 11Verse 11. to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold. 12Verse 12. Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him. 13Verse 13. Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. 14Verse 14. His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. 15Verse 15. “According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?” 16Verse 16. And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17Verse 17. For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’ 18Verse 18. This very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will say the same thing to all the king’s officials, resulting in much contempt and wrath. 19Verse 19. So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she. 20Verse 20. The edict the king issues will be heard throughout his vast kingdom — and so all women, from the least to the greatest, will honor their husbands.” 21Verse 21. The king and his princes were pleased with this counsel; so the king did as Memucan advised.

13Verse 13. The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. 14Verse 14. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” 15Verse 15. “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. 16Verse 16. “Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” 17Verse 17. But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18Verse 18. Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. 19Verse 19. Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. 20Verse 20. Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do. 21Verse 21. Furthermore, select capable men from among the people — God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22Verse 22. Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. 23Verse 23. If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.” 24Verse 24. Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25Verse 25. So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26Verse 26. And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. 27Verse 27. Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.