Esther 1:3-8

New Catholic Bible

³ and in the third year of his reign, he threw a great banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military commanders of Persia and Media were present, and so were the princes and the nobles of the provinces.

⁴ For a full one hundred and eighty days the king showcased the wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. ⁵ When these days were over, he threw a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of his palace, for all the people, from the least to the greatest, who lived 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. Gold and silver couches were on the pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones. ⁷ Wine was served in golden goblets, each different from one another, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s beneficence. ⁸ By the order of the king, there were no limits on the drinks. For he instructed all the wine stewards to give everyone whatever was requested.