Esther 2 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Later on, after all this had happened, King Xerxes' anger subsided and he thought about Vashti and what she'd done, and the decree issued against her.
1 PASADAS estas cosas, sosegada ya la ira del rey Assuero, acordóse de Vasthi, y de lo que hizo, y de lo que fué sentenciado contra ella.
1 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2 His advisors suggested to him, “Why not order a search to find beautiful young virgins for Your Majesty?
2 Y dijeron los criados del rey, sus oficiales: Busquen al rey mozas vírgenes de buen parecer;
2 Then the king’s servants who served him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
3 Your Majesty should appoint officers in each province of his empire to gather all the beautiful young women and bring them to the king's harem at the fortress of Susa. They should be placed under the supervision of Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the women, and they should be given beauty treatments.
3 Y ponga el rey personas en todas las provincias de su reino, que junten todas las mozas vírgenes de buen parecer en Susán residencia regia, en la casa de las mujeres, al cuidado de Hegai, eunuco del rey, guarda de las mujeres, dándoles sus atavíos;
3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women’s house, to the custody of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them;
4 The young woman the king finds most attractive can become queen in place of Vashti.” The king thought this was a good idea, so he acted upon it.
4 Y la moza que agradare á los ojos del rey, reine en lugar de Vasthi. Y la cosa plugo en ojos del rey, é hízolo así.
4 and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” The thing pleased the king, and he did so.
5 There was a Jewish man living in the fortress of Susa named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite
5 Había un varón Judío en Susán residencia regia, cuyo nombre era Mardochêo, hijo de Jair, hijo de Simi, hijo de Cis, del linaje de Benjamín;
5 There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,
6 who was among those taken prisoner with King Jehoiachin of Judah and carried into exile from Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
6 El cual había sido trasportado de Jerusalem con los cautivos que fueron llevados con Jechônías rey de Judá, á quien hizo trasportar Nabucodonosor rey de Babilonia.
6 who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 He had brought up Hadassah (or Esther), his uncle's daughter, because she had no father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. After her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.
7 Y había criado á Hadassa, que es Esther, hija de su tío, porque no tenía padre ni madre; y era moza de hermosa forma y de buen parecer; y como su padre y su madre murieron, Mardochêo la había tomado por hija suya.
7 He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
8 When the king's order and decree had been announced, many young women were brought to the fortress of Susa under the supervision of Hegai. Esther was also taken to the king's palace and placed under the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the women.
8 Sucedió pues, que como se divulgó el mandamiento del rey y su acuerdo, y siendo reunidas muchas mozas en Susán residencia regia, á cargo de Hegai, fué tomada también Esther para casa del rey, al cuidado de Hegai, guarda de las mujeres.
8 So, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, Esther was taken into the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 Esther caught his eye and he treated her favorably. He quickly arranged beauty treatments and special food for her. He also provided her with seven specially-chosen maids from the king's palace, and moved her and her maids to the best location in the harem.
9 Y la moza agradó en sus ojos, y halló gracia delante de él; por lo que hizo darle prestamente sus atavíos y sus raciones, dándole también siete convenientes doncellas de la casa del rey; y pasóla con sus doncellas á lo mejor de la casa de las mujeres.
9 The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king’s house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women’s house.
10 Esther had not let anyone know her nationality or who her family was, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.
10 Esther no declaró su pueblo ni su nacimiento; porque Mardochêo le había mandado que no lo declarase.
10 Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.
11 Each day Mordecai spent time walking around in front of the courtyard of the harem so he could find out how Esther was doing and what was happening to her.
11 Y cada día Mardochêo se paseaba delante del patio de la casa de las mujeres, por saber cómo iba á Esther, y qué se hacía de ella.
11 Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women’s house, to find out how Esther was doing, and what would become of her.
12 Before it was the turn of a young woman to go to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments for women that were required: six months with oil of myrrh, and six with perfumed oils and ointments.
12 Y como llegaba el tiempo de cada una de las mozas para venir al rey Assuero, al cabo de haber estado ya doce meses conforme á la ley acerca de las mujeres (porque así se cumplía el tiempo de sus atavíos, [esto es], seis meses con óleo de mirra, y seis meses con cosas aromáticas y afeites de mujeres),
12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women).
13 When it was time for the young woman to go to the king, she was given whatever she asked for to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.
13 Entonces la moza venía así al rey: todo lo que ella decía se le daba, para venir con ello de la casa de las mujeres hasta la casa del rey.
13 The young woman then came to the king like this: whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women’s house to the king’s house.
14 In the evening she would go, and in the morning she would return to a different harem under the supervision of Shaashgaz, who was the king's eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not go back to be with the king again unless he was particularly attracted to her and called for her by name.
14 Ella venía á la tarde, y á la mañana se volvía á la casa segunda de las mujeres, al cargo de Saasgaz eunuco del rey, guarda de las concubinas: no venía más al rey, salvo si el rey la quería, y era llamada por nombre.
14 In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women’s house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
15 (Esther was the daughter of Abihail, Mordecai's uncle. Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.) When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she didn't ask for anything to take with her except what Hegai advised. (He was the king's eunuch in charge of the women.) Esther was looked on with admiration by everybody.
15 Y llegado que fué el tiempo de Esther, hija de Abihail tío de Mardochêo, que él se había tomado por hija, para venir al rey, ninguna cosa procuró sino lo que dijo Hegai eunuco del rey, guarda de las mujeres: y ganaba Esther la gracia de todos los que la veían.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
16 Esther was taken to King Xerxes into his royal palace, in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
16 Fué pues Esther llevada al rey Assuero á su casa real en el mes décimo, que es el mes de Tebeth, en el año séptimo de su reinado.
16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women. He treated her more favorably and with greater kindness than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
17 Y el rey amó á Esther sobre todas las mujeres, y halló gracia y benevolencia delante de él más que todas las vírgenes; y puso la corona real en su cabeza, é hízola reina en lugar de Vasthi.
17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 The king gave a great feast for all his officials and administrators—Esther's feast. He also declared it a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed generous gifts.
18 Hizo luego el rey gran banquete á todos sus príncipes y siervos, el banquete de Esther; y alivió á las provincias, é hizo y dió mercedes conforme á la facultad real.
18 Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king’s bounty.
19 Even though there had been a second gathering of virgins, and Mordecai had been given a position by the king,
19 Y cuando se juntaban las vírgenes la segunda vez, Mardochêo estaba puesto á la puerta del rey.
19 When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate.
20 Esther still did not let anyone know about her family or her nationality, as Mordecai had ordered her. She followed Mordecai's instructions just as she did when he brought her up.
20 Y Esther, según le tenía mandado Mardochêo, no había declarado su nación ni su pueblo; porque Esther hacía lo que decía Mardochêo, como cuando con él se educaba.
20 Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
21 At that time, as Mordecai was doing his work at the palace gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the entrance to the king's rooms, became furious with King Xerxes and looked for a way to assassinate him.
21 En aquellos días, estando Mardochêo sentado á la puerta del rey, enojáronse Bigthán y Teres, dos eunucos del rey, de la guardia de la puerta, y procuraban poner mano en el rey Assuero.
21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.
22 Mordecai found out about the plot and reported it to Queen Esther. Esther in turn told the king on Mordecai's behalf.
22 Mas entendido que fué esto por Mardochêo, él lo denunció á la reina Esther, y Esther lo dijo al rey en nombre de Mardochêo.
22 This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.
23 When the plot was investigated and found to be true, both men were impaled on poles. This was recorded in the official Book of Records by order of the king.
23 Hízose entonces indagación de la cosa, y fué hallada cierta; por tanto, entrambos fueron colgados en una horca. Y escribióse [el caso] en el libro de las cosas de los tiempos delante del rey.
23 When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Abihail
Mordecai’s uncle and the father of Esther, who had died, leaving Esther to be adopted by Mordecai.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:15; Esther 9:29
Bigthan
With Teresh, a doorkeeping eunuch who conspired to assassinate Xerxes; Mordecai exposed the plot and both were hanged. (Esther 6:2 spells the name Bigthana.)
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:21; Esther 6:2
Esther
Hadassah, an orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, was made queen in place of Vashti; she risked her life to plead for her people, exposed Haman, and with Mordecai confirmed the…
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:7; Esther 2:17; Esther 5:2
Hegai
The king’s eunuch who oversaw the harem; he favored Esther, gave her beauty treatments and the best place, and advised her.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:3; Esther 2:8; Esther 2:15
Jair
Named as the father of Mordecai and the son of Shimei.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:5
Kish
Benjaminite named at the head of Mordecai’s ancestry; the text does not say whether he is Saul’s father.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:5
Mordecai
Benjaminite of Susa, exiled with Jeconiah, who raised his cousin Esther, exposed the plot of Bigthan and Teresh, refused to bow to Haman, was honored by the king, and became…
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:5; Esther 2:22; Esther 3:2
Shaashgaz
The king’s eunuch over the second harem where women returned after their night with the king.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:14
Shimei
Son of Kish and father of Jair in Mordecai’s ancestry; "son" may mean descendant.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:5
Teresh
With Bigthan, a doorkeeping eunuch who conspired to assassinate Xerxes and was hanged after Mordecai reported the plot.
Cited in the guide: Esther 2:21; Esther 6:2
Xerxes
King who reigned over 127 provinces from Susa; he deposed Vashti, made Esther queen, honored Mordecai, hanged Haman and allowed the Jews to defend themselves. Ezra 4:6 mentions an…
Cited in the guide: Ezra 4:6; Esther 1:1; Esther 2:16
Cross references (22)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Esther 7:10; Daniel 6:14–18; Esther 1:12–21
- 2 1 Kings 1:2; Esther 6:14; Genesis 12:14; Esther 1:14; Esther 1:10
- 3 Esther 2:8–9; Esther 2:12–15; Esther 1:1–2; Isaiah 3:18–23
- 4 Matthew 14:6; Matthew 20:16; Matthew 22:14; Esther 3:9–10; 2 Samuel 17:4
- 5 2 Samuel 16:5; Esther 2:3; 1 Samuel 9:1; Esther 1:2; Esther 5:1
- 6 2 Kings 24:14–15; 2 Chronicles 36:20; Jeremiah 24:1; 2 Kings 24:6; Jeremiah 22:24
- 7 Esther 2:15; Esther 1:11; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 6:18; 1 John 3:1
- 8 Esther 2:3; Esther 2:15
- 9 Genesis 39:21; Proverbs 16:7; Esther 2:12; Esther 2:3; Daniel 1:9
- 10 Esther 2:20; Matthew 10:16; Esther 3:8; Ephesians 6:1; Esther 4:13–14
- 11 Genesis 37:14; 1 Samuel 17:18; Acts 15:36; Esther 2:13–14
- 12 Proverbs 7:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:4–5; Isaiah 57:9; Song of Songs 3:6; Luke 7:37–38
- 14 Esther 4:11; Genesis 34:19; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 45:4; Isaiah 62:4–5
- 15 Song of Songs 6:9; Esther 2:3; Esther 9:29; Acts 7:10; Song of Songs 8:10
- 16 Esther 8:9; Esther 2:3; Esther 2:1; Ezra 7:8
- 17 Psalm 113:7–8; Luke 1:48–52; Ezekiel 17:24; Psalm 75:6–7; 1 Samuel 2:8
- 18 Genesis 29:22; Judges 14:10–17; 1 Samuel 25:8; Matthew 22:2; Esther 1:3–5
- 19 Esther 2:21; Esther 2:3–4; Esther 3:2–3; Esther 5:13
- 20 Esther 2:10; Ephesians 6:1–3; Esther 2:7
- 21 Esther 6:2; 2 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 21:23; 1 Kings 16:9; 2 Samuel 4:5–6
- 22 Esther 6:1–2; Acts 23:12–22; Romans 11:33; Philippians 2:4; Ecclesiastes 10:20
- 23 Genesis 40:19; Genesis 40:22; Esther 10:2; Joshua 8:29; Esther 5:14–6:2
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences