ଏଷ୍ଟର ବିବରଣ 2

1 ଏହିସହୁ ଘଟଣା ପରେ ଅକ୍ଷଶ୍ବରେଶ ରାଜାର କୋର୍ଧ ଶାନ୍ତ ହୁଅନ୍ତେ ସେ ବଷ୍ଟୀକି ଓ ତାହାର କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ଓ ତାହା ପ୍ରତିକୂଳ ରେ ପ୍ରଦତ୍ତ ଆଜ୍ଞା ସ୍ମରଣ କଲା।

2 ତେଣୁ ରାଜାର ସବୋକାରୀ ଭୃତ୍ଯମାନେ ତାହାକୁ କହିଲେ, ମହାରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ୟୁବତୀ କନ୍ଯାଗଣର ଅନ୍ବଷେଣ କରାଯାଉ।

3 ଆଉ ମହାରାଜା ଆପଣା ରାଜ୍ଯର ସମସ୍ତ ପ୍ରଦେଶ ରେ କର୍ମଗ୍ଭରୀଗଣ ନିୟୁକ୍ତି କରନ୍ତୁ। ସମାନେେ ସହେି ସବୁ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ କନ୍ଯାଗଣକୁ ଶୂଶନ ରାଜଧାନୀ ରେ ଏକତ୍ର କରି ଅନ୍ତଃପୁର ରେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କ ରକ୍ଷକ ରାଜନଫୁସକ ହଗଯରେ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ସମର୍ପଣ କରନ୍ତୁ। ପୁଣି ସମାନଙ୍କେ ଅଙ୍ଗରାଗାର୍ଥକ ଦ୍ରବ୍ଯ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ଦତ୍ତ ହେଉ।

4 ଏହାପରେ ଯେଉଁ କନ୍ଯା ମହାରାଜାଙ୍କର ତୁଷ୍ଟୀକାରୀଣୀ ହବେ, ସେ ବଷ୍ଟୀ ବଦଳେ ରାଣୀ ହବେ। ଏହି କଥା ରେ ରାଜା ସନ୍ତାଷେ ହବୋରୁ ସେ ଏପରି କଲା।

5 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ନାମ ରେ ଜଣେ ୟିହୁଦୀଯ ଲୋକ ଶୂଶନ୍ ରାଜଧାନୀ ରେ ଥିଲା, ସେ ବିନ୍ଯାମୀନ ବଂଶୀଯ ୟାଯୀରର ପୁତ୍ର, ଶିମିଯିର ପୌତ୍ର, କୀଶର ପ୍ରପୌତ୍ର।

6 ଯେଉଁ ଲୋକମାନେ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିକନିଯ ସହିତ ବାବିଲର ରାଜା ନବୁଖଦ୍ନିତ୍ସର ଦ୍ବାରା ନିର୍ବାସିତ ହାଇେଥିଲା। ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସହିତ କୀଶ ୟିରୁଶାଲମଠାରୁ ନିର୍ବାସିତ ହାଇେଥିଲା।

7 ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ଆପଣା ମାମୁଁ କନ୍ଯା ହଦସାକୁ ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ଏଷ୍ଟରକୁ ପ୍ରତିପାଳନ କଲା କାରଣ ତାହାର ପିତା କି ମାତା ନ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ପରମସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ଓ ସ୍ନହମେଯୀ ଥିଲା। ତାହାର ପିତାମାତା ମଲାପରେ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ତାହାକୁ ନିଜର କନ୍ଯାରୂପେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିଥିଲା।

8 ଯେତବେେଳେ ରାଜାର ସହେି ବାକ୍ଯ ଓ ଆଜ୍ଞା ପ୍ରଗ୍ଭରିତ ହେଲା ଶୂଶନ୍ ରାଜଧାନୀ ରେ ହଗଯେ ନିକଟରେ ଅନକେ କନ୍ଯା ସଂଗୃହିତ ହବୋ ବେଳେ ଏଷ୍ଟରକୁ ରାଜପୁରିକି ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରକ୍ଷକ ହଗଯେ ନିକଟକୁ ନିଆଗଲା।

9 ଏଥି ରେ ଏହି ୟୁବତୀ ହଗଯରେ ତୁଷ୍ଟିଜନକ ହାଇେ ତାହାଠାରୁ ଅନୁଗ୍ରହ ପାଇଲା। ଏଣୁ ସେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ତାକୁ ରାଜଗୃହରୁ ମନୋନୀତ ସାତଜଣ ଦାସୀଙ୍କ ସହିତ ସମସ୍ତ ଅଂଶ ପ୍ରସାଧନ ଏବଂ ତା'ର ଭାଗ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ଦିଆଗଲା। ଆଉ ସେ ତାକୁ ତାହାର ଦାସୀଗଣ ସହିତ ଅନ୍ତଃପୁରର ସର୍ବୋତ୍ତମ ସ୍ଥାନ ରେ ବାସ କରାଇଲା।

10 ମାତ୍ର ଏଷ୍ଟର ଆପଣା ବଂଶ କି କୁଟୁମ୍ବର ପରିଚଯ କାହାକୁ ଦଲୋନାହିଁ କାରଣ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ତାହା ନ ଜଣାଇବାକୁ ଆଜ୍ଞା କରିଥିଲା।

11 ଏହାପରେ, ଏଷ୍ଟର କିପରି ଅଛି ଓ ସେ କଣ କରୁଛି, ଏହା ଜାଣିବା ପାଇଁ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ନ୍ଯାଯାଳଯ ରେ ପ୍ରାଙ୍ଗଣ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ୟାତାଯତ କଲା।

12 ଦ୍ବାଦଶ ମାସ ଶଷେ ରେ, ରାଜା ଅକ୍ଷଶ୍ବରଶ ନିକଟକୁ ଏକ କୁଆଁରୀ କନ୍ଯାର ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ହବୋର ସମୟ ଆସିଲା। କାରଣ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ସୌନ୍ଦର୍ୟ୍ଯ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଇଁ ଛଅ ମାସ ଗନ୍ଧରସର ତୈଳ ଓ ଛଅ ମାସ ସୁଗନ୍ଧି ଓ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଅଙ୍ଗରାଗାର୍ଥକ ଦ୍ରବ୍ଯ ସବେନ କରିବାକୁ ହେଲା।

13 ପୁଣି ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟିବାକୁ ହେଲେ, ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକକ ୟୁବତୀ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଏହିପରି ନିଯମ ଥିଲା। ସେ ଯେ କୌଣସି ଦ୍ରବ୍ଯ ମାଗିଲେ, ଅନ୍ତଃପୁରରୁ ରାଜଗୃହକୁ ୟିବା ସମୟରେ ସାଙ୍ଗ ରେ ନବୋ ନିମନ୍ତେ ତାହାକୁ ଦିଆଗଲା।

14 ରାଜାଙ୍କର ନଫୁସକ ଶାଶ୍ଗସର ତତ୍ତ୍ବାବଧାନ ରେ ଜଣେ କନ୍ଯା ସନ୍ଧ୍ଯା ସମୟରେ ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ହ ରମଙ୍କେ ନିକଟକୁ ୟିବ ଓ ସକାଳ ରେ ଫରେି ଆସିବ। ଶାଶ୍ଗସ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ତତ୍ତ୍ବାବଧାରକ ଥିଲା।

15 ଏହାପରେ, ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟିବାପାଇଁ ଏଷ୍ଟରର ପାଳି ପଡିଲା। ଏଷ୍ଟର ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯଙ୍କ ପାଳିତ କନ୍ଯା ଥିଲା। ସେ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯର କକା ଅବିହଯିଲର କନ୍ଯା ଥିଲା। ହଗଯେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ନଫୁସକ ଓ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ତତ୍ତ୍ବାବଧାରକ, ଯାହା କହିଥିଲେ, ତାହା ଛଡା ଏଷ୍ଟର ଆଉ କିଛି ମାଗିଲା ନାହିଁ। ସମସ୍ତେ ଯେଉଁମାନେ ହଗଯକେୁ ଦେଖିଲେ, ତା ପ୍ରତି ଅନୁକମ୍ପା କଲେ।

16 ରାଜାର ଅଧିକାରର ସପ୍ତମ ବର୍ଷର ଦଶମ ମାସ ରେ ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ଟବେେତ୍ ସାମ ରେ, ଏଷ୍ଟରକୁ ରାଜଗୃହ ରେ ଅକ୍ଷଶ୍ବରେଶ ରାଜା ନିକଟକୁ ନିଆଗଲା।

17 ତହିଁରେ ରାଜା ଅନ୍ୟସକଳ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଠାରୁ ଏଷ୍ଟରକୁ ଅଧିକ ପ୍ ରମେ କଲା ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ୟୁବତୀଠାରୁ ସେ ରାଜାର ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ରେ ଅନୁଗ୍ରହ ଓ ଦୟା ପାଇଲା। ଏଣୁ ସେ ତାହାର ମସ୍ତକରେ ରାଜ ମୁକୁଟ ଦଇେ ବଷ୍ଟୀ ବଦଳ ରେ ତାହାକୁ ରାଣୀ କଲା।

18 ଏହାପରେ ରାଜା ଓ ଆପଣା ସମସ୍ତ ଅଧିପତି ଓ ଦାସମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏଷ୍ଟର ଭୋଜି ବୋଲି ମହା ଭୋଜି ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କଲା ଓ ସବୁ ପ୍ରଦେଶର ଛୁଟି କଲା ଓ ରାଜାର ବଦାନ୍ଯତାନୁସା ରେ ଦାନ କଲା।

19 କନ୍ଯାମାନେ ଦ୍ବିତୀୟଥର ସଂଗୃହିତା ହବୋ ସମୟରେ ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ରାଜ ଦ୍ବାର ରେ ବସିଲା।

20 ଏଷ୍ଟର ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯର ଆଜ୍ଞାନୁସା ରେ ଆପଣା ବଂଶ ଓ କୁଟୁମ୍ବର ପରିଚଯ କାହାକୁ ହିଁ ଦଲୋ ନାହିଁ। କାରଣ ଏଷ୍ଟର ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ନିକଟରେ ପ୍ରତିପାଳିତା ହବୋ ସମୟରେ ଯେପରି କରୁଥିଲା ସେତବେେଳେ ହିଁ ସପରେି ତାହାର ଆଜ୍ଞା ପାଳନ କଲା।

21 ସହେି ସମୟରେ, ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ରାଜଦ୍ବାର ରେ ବସିବା ବେଳେ ଦ୍ବାରପାଳମାନଙ୍କ ମଧିଅରେ ବିଗ୍ଥନ୍ ଓ ତରେଶ୍ ନାମକ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ଦୁଇ ଜଣ ନଫୁସକ କୋର୍ଧିତ ହାଇେ ଅକ୍ଷଶ୍ବରେଶ ରାଜାକୁ ବଧ କରିବାକୁ ଷଡୟନ୍ତ୍ର କଲେ।

22 ମାତ୍ର ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ଏହା ଜାଣି ଏଷ୍ଟର ରାଣୀକୁ ଜଣାଇଲା। ପୁଣି ଏଷ୍ଟର ମର୍ଦ୍ଦଖଯ ନାମ ଦଇେ ରାଜାକୁ ତାହା ଜଣାଇଲା।

23 ତହିଁରେ ଅନୁସନ୍ଧାନ ଦ୍ବାରା ସହେି କଥା ପ୍ରମାଣ ହବୋରୁ ସହେି ଦୁଇଜଣ ବୃକ୍ଷ ରେ ଫାଶି ପାଇଲେ। ଆଉ ସହେି କଥା ରାଜାର ସାକ୍ଷାତ ରେ କଚରେୀର ନକଲ ଖାତା ରେ ଲଖାଗେଲା।

1 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:

4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

12 Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.

14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.

22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.

23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.