²⁵ While they were in high spirits,^(A) they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars,

⁷ When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits,^(A) he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile.^(B) Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down.

¹⁸ Then Melchizedek^(A) king of Salem^(B) brought out bread^(C) and wine.^(D) He was priest of God Most High,^(E)

¹⁵ The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.^(A) The king and Haman sat down to drink,^(B) but the city of Susa was bewildered.^(C)

⁶ As they were drinking wine,^(A) the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,^(B) it will be granted.”^(C)

² and as they were drinking wine^(A) on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,^(B) it will be granted.^(C)”

The Writing on the Wall

5 King Belshazzar^(A) gave a great banquet^(B) for a thousand of his nobles^(C) and drank wine with them. ² While Belshazzar was drinking^(D) his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets^(E) that Nebuchadnezzar his father^[a] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines^(F) might drink from them.^{(G) 3} So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ As they drank the wine, they praised the gods^(H) of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.^(I)

⁹ Then Harbona,^(A) one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits^[a](B) stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!”^(C)