CS
Esther · read by Chuck Smith
29 verses, in order. Only the verses Chuck read aloud are shown.
Esther 2
1
Some time later, when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
2
Then the king's attendants proposed, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king,Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
8
When the king's command and edict had been proclaimed, many young women gathered at the citadel of Susa under the care of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
13
When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
17
And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
18
Then the king held a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king's bounty.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
19
When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
20
Esther still had not revealed her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed. She obeyed Mordecai's command, as she had done under his care.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 3
1
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
2
All the royal servants at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
4
Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
6
And when he learned the identity of Mordecai's people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
9
If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out."Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
14
A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
15
The couriers left, spurred on by the king's command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 4
17
So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 5
2
As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
5
"Hurry," commanded the king, "and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
11
Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
13
Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."Read from NKJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 7
6
Esther replied, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!" And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
7
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 8
2
The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.Read from ESV · (Through the Bible) Esther
3
And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
4
The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king.Read from NKJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
6
For how could I bear to see the disaster that would befall my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?"Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther
Esther 9
19
This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another.Read from KJV · (Through the Bible) Esther