1 Kings 22

1 ଅନନ୍ତର ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଦୁଇବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଓ ଅରାମ ମଧିଅରେ ଶାନ୍ତି ବିରାଜମାନ କଲା।

2 ତତ୍ପରେ ତୃତୀୟ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ, ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିବାକୁ ଆସିଲେ।

3 ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କର ଅଧିକାରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ରାମାେତ୍ ଗିଲିଯଦ୍ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଅଟେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଏହା ଜାଣ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଅରାମର ରାଜା ଏହା ଅଧିକାର କଲା। ତଥାପି ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ନୀରବ ରେ ବସି ରହିଛୁ, ଆମ୍ଭେ ଅରାମର ରାଜାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ତାହା ଫରୋଇ ନଇେ ନାହୁଁ।

4 ତେଣୁ ଆହାବ୍ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ କ'ଣ ମାେ ସହିତ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦକୁ ଯାଉଛ?

5 କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ବିନଯ କରୁଛି, ଆମ୍ଭେ ସର୍ବ ପ୍ରଥମେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯ ପଗ୍ଭରିବା।

6 ତେଣୁ ଆହାବ୍ 400 ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ଡକାଇ ଏକତ୍ରୀତ କଲେ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ମୁଁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ପ୍ରଥମେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ୟିବା ଉଚିତ୍ କି, ଏଥିରୁ କ୍ଷାନ୍ତ ହବୋ ଉଚିତ୍?

7 କିନ୍ତୁ ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯତୀତ ଆଉ କହେି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏଠା ରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି କି? ଯଦି ସଠାେରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ଆମ୍ଭେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ବାକ୍ଯ ପଗ୍ଭରନ୍ତୁ।

8 ତହୁଁ ଆହାବ୍ କହିଲେ, ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏଠା ରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ଯାହାଙ୍କୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ବାକ୍ଯ ବିଷଯ ରେ ପଗ୍ଭରି ପାରୁ। ସେ ଇମ୍ଲର ପୁତ୍ର ମୀଖାଯ। କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ଘୃଣା କରେ। କାରଣ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ମାେ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯତବାଣୀ କ ହେ। ସେ କବେେ ମାରେ ମଙ୍ଗଳ କଥା କ ହେ ନାହିଁ।

9 ତେଣୁ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଜଣେ ଅଧିକାରୀକୁ ଡାକିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ଇମ୍ଲର ପୁତ୍ର ମୀଖାଯଙ୍କୁ ଶିଘ୍ର ଆଣ।

10 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଓ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ନିଜ ନିଜର ରାଜ ପୋଷାକ ପରିଧାନ କରି ଶମରିଯାର ପ୍ରବେଶଦ୍ବାର ନିକଟବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ମଲୋ ରେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ସିଂହାସନ ରେ ବସିଥିଲେ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଗଣ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବାଣୀ ପ୍ରଗ୍ଭର କରୁଥିଲେ।

11 କନାନାର ପୁତ୍ର ସିଦିକିଯ ଜଣେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଲୌହମଯ ଶିଙ୍ଗମାନ ନିର୍ମାଣ କରି ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, 'ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ଲୌହମଯ ଶିଙ୍ଗ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ବ୍ଯବହାର କରିବ ଏବଂ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଅରାମର ସମସ୍ତ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଂହାର କରିବ ଏବଂ ଜଯଲାଭ କରିବ।'

12 ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଏକମତ ହାଇେ କହିଲେ, ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ୟାଅ ଓ ଅରାମୀଯ ସୈନ୍ଯବାହୀନି ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଜଯଲାଭ କର। କାରଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପରାସ୍ତ କରାଇବେ।

13 ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ଅଧିକାରୀ ମୀଖାଯଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟାଇ କହିଲା, ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏକ ମୁଖ ରେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ମଙ୍ଗଳ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ମୁଁ ବିନଯ କରୁଛି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ପରି ମଙ୍ଗଳ ବାକ୍ଯ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସପକ୍ଷ ରେ କୁହ।

14 ତହୁଁ ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲେ, ଯେ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ମୁଁ ଶପଥ କରୁଛି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଯାହା କହିବେ ମୁଁ ତାହା ହିଁ କହିବି।

15 ତା'ପରେ ମୀଖାଯ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ଛିଡା ହେଲେ ଓ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ମୀଖାଯ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦକୁ ୟିବା ଉଚିତ୍ କି କ୍ଷାନ୍ତ ହବୋ ଉଚିତ୍?

16 ଆହାବ୍ ପୁଣି ମୀଖାଯକୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ନିଜର ବାକ୍ଯ କୁହ, ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭଙ୍କୁ ସତ କହିବାକୁ କହିଛି। କେତେଥର ମାେତେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଏହା କହିବାକୁ ପଡିବ? ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କଠାରୁ ସତ କୁହ।

17 ମୀଖାଯ ଉତ୍ତର କଲେ, ମୁଁ ସମଗ୍ର ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକୁ ମାଲିକହୀନ ମଷେପଲ ସଦୃଶ ଏଣେ ତଣେେ ପର୍ବତମାନଙ୍କ ରେ ବୁଲୁଥିବାର ଦେଖିଲି, ଆଉ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, ' ସମାନଙ୍କେର ମୂଖ୍ଯ ନାହିଁନ୍ତି, ସମାନେେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ନ କରି କୁଶଳ ରେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ଗୃହକୁ ଫରେି ୟାଆନ୍ତୁ।'

18 ଆହାବ୍ ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖ, ମୁଁ କଣ କହି ନଥିଲି, ମୀଖାଯ କବେେ ଅମଙ୍ଗଳ ବିନା ମଙ୍ଗଳକର ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବାଣୀ ମାେ ବିଷଯ ରେ କରିବ ନାହିଁ।

19 ପୁଣି ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯ ଶୁଣ, ମୁଁ ଦେଖିଲି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସିଂହାସନ ରେ ଉପବିଷ୍ଟ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଓ ବାମ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ତାହାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗୀଯ ଦୂତମାନେ ଉଭା ହାଇେଛନ୍ତି।

20 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ଯରୁ କିଏ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍କୁ କୁମନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଦବୋକୁ ୟିବ, ସେ ଯେପରି ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ୟାଇ ଅରାମୀଯ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରି ମୃତ୍ଯୁବରଣ କରିବ।' ଏଥି ରେ କହେି ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତଗଣ ଏକମତ ହେଲେ ନାହିଁ, ସମାନଙ୍କେର କଣ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍।

21 ତା'ପରେ ଜଣେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟାଇ କହିଲା, 'ମୁଁ ତା' ପ୍ରତି ପ୍ରତାରଣା କରିବି।'

22 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ତୁମ୍ଭେ କିପରି ତାକୁ ପ୍ରତାରଣା କରିବ?' ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ଉତ୍ତର ଦଲୋ, 'ମୁଁ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦ୍ବନ୍ଦ ରେ ପକାଇବି। ମୁଁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ମିଛ କୁହାଇବି।' ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ଉତ୍ତମ, ୟାଅ, ତାକୁ କୌଶଳ ରେ ଠକିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କର। ଏଥି ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ କୃତକାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହବେ।'

23 ମୀଖାଯ ଶଷେ ରେ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖ, ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭର ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ମିଥ୍ଯା କୁହାଇଛନ୍ତି। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ଉପରେ ଏକ ବଡ ବିପତ୍ତି ଆଣିବାକୁ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି କରିଛନ୍ତି।

24 ତହିଁରେ କନାନାର ପୁତ୍ର ସିଦିକିଯ ମୀଖାଯର ଗାଲ ରେ ଏକ ଗ୍ଭପୁଡା ମାରି କହିଲା, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଭାବୁଛ କି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଆତ୍ମା ମାେତେ ଛାଡି ଦଇେଛନ୍ତି ଓ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତୁମ୍ଭ ମାଧ୍ଯମ ରେ କହୁଛନ୍ତି। ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ କିପରି କହିଲେ?

25 ତହିଁରେ ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲା, ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ସଂକଟ ଆସିବ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ନିଜକୁ ଲୁଗ୍ଭଇବା ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ େଛାଟ କଠାେରୀକୁ ୟିବ। ସେତବେେଳେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଆମ୍ଭ କଥା ସତ୍ଯତା ଜାଣିବ।

26 ଆହାବ୍, ମୀଖାଯକୁ ବନ୍ଦୀ କରିବାକୁ ଜଣେ ଅଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ଆମାନରେ ନଗରାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷ ଓ ୟୁବରାଜ ଯୋୟାଶର ନକଟକୁ ନଇେ ୟିବାକୁ କହିଲେ।

27 ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିବ ମୁଁ ୟୁଦ୍ଧରୁ ନିରାପଦ ରେ ଫରେିବା ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ମୀଖାଯକୁ କାରାଗାର ରେ ରଖିବେ ଓ କିଛି ନଦଇେ ରୋଟୀ ଓ ପାଣି ଦବେ।

28 ତହିଁରେ ମୀଖାଯ ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ବର ରେ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ସମସ୍ତେ ଶୁଣ, ଯଦି ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ କୁଶଳ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରୁ ଫରେି ଆ ସେ, ତବେେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମାେତେ ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଦଇେ ନାହାଁନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ଜାଣିବ।

29 ଅନନ୍ତର ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଓ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ଗଲେ।

30 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ଛଦ୍ମ ବେଶ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ୟିବି, ମାତ୍ର ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ରାଜ ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିବ। ତେଣୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଛଦ୍ମ ବେଶ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧକୁ ଗଲେ।

31 ମାତ୍ର ଅରାମର ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କର ବତିଶ ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷଙ୍କୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ବ୍ଯତୀତ ଅନ୍ୟ କାହା ସଙ୍ଗେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରନାହିଁ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ନିଶ୍ଚଯ ତାକୁ ହତ୍ଯା କରିବ।

32 ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ସହେି ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷମାନେ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଭାବି ଯେତବେେଳେ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କଲେ, ସେ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି କହିଲେ।

33 ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷମାନେ ଜାଣିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ନିହଁନ୍ତି, ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ମାରିବାରୁ ନିବୃତ୍ତ ହେଲେ।

34 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଏକ ଶର ଜଣେ ସୈନ୍ଯ ଦ୍ବାରା ବିଦ୍ଧ ହାଇେ ଆସିଲା। ଏହା ରାଜାଙ୍କର ସାଞ୍ଜୁ ଦ୍ବାରା ଆଚ୍ଛାଦିତ ହାଇନେଥିବା ଦହରେ ଅଂଶକୁ ଭଦେ କଲା। ତେଣୁ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ସାରଥିକି କହିଲେ, ମାେତେ ଏ ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ନଇୟୋଅ, କାରଣ ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶରଦ୍ବାରା ଅତିଶଯ ଆଘାତ ପାଇଲି।

35 ସଦେିନ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନେ ପ୍ରବଳ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ଚଳାଇଲେ, ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ରଥରେ ରହିଲେ। ସେ ଅରାମୀଯ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ରଥର ପାଶର୍‌ବ ରେ ଆଉଜି ହାଇେ ରହିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ରକ୍ତ ରେ ରଥର ତଳ ସିକ୍ତ ହେଲା ଓ ସନ୍ଧ୍ଯାବଳକେୁ ସେ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ବରଣ କଲେ।

36 ପୁଣି ସୂର୍ୟ୍ଯାସ୍ତ ବଳକେୁ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ନିଜ ନଗରକୁ ଓ ଦେଶକୁ ଫରେିୟିବାକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦିଆଗଲା।

37 ଏହିପରି ଭାବରେ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ବରଣ କଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ଲୋକ ଶମରିଯାକୁ ବୋହି ଆଣି ତାଙ୍କୁ କବର ଦେଲେ।

38 ଆଉ ସମାନେେ ଶମରିଯାର ପୋଖରୀଠା ରେ ତାହାଙ୍କ ରଥକୁ ଧୋଇଲେ, ଯେଉଁଠା ରେ ବେଶ୍ଯାମାନେ ସ୍ନାନ କରନ୍ତି। କୁକୁରମାନେ ଆହାବ୍ର ରକ୍ତ ଗ୍ଭଟି ଖାଇଲେ। ଏହିସବୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯାନୁସା ରେ ଘଟିଲା।

39 ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କର ଅବଶିଷ୍ଟ ବୃତ୍ତାନ୍ତ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯକଳାପ ତାଙ୍କର ହସ୍ତୀଦନ୍ତ ନିର୍ମିତ ମନୋହର ପ୍ରାସାଦ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ନିର୍ମିତ ସୁଦୃଢ ନଗର ବିଷଯ ରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜବଂଶ ଇତିହାସ ରେ ଲିଖିତ ହାଇେଅଛି।

40 ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ଯୁପରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପୂର୍ବ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ସହିତ କବର ନେଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ଅନ୍ତେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ତାଙ୍କ ପଦ ରେ ରାଜ୍ଯ କଲେ।

41 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ବର ଚତୁର୍ଥ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଆସାଙ୍କର ପୁତ୍ର ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ହେଲେ।

42 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ପଞ୍ଚତିରିଶ ବର୍ଷ ବଯସ ରେ ରାଜା ହେଲେ ଓ ସେ ପଚିଶ ବର୍ଷ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ରାଜତ୍ବ କଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ମାତାଙ୍କ ନାମ ଅସୂବା ଓ ସେ ଶଲହିର କନ୍ଯା।

43 ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ଅତି ଉତ୍ତମ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପିତା ଆସାଙ୍କର ପଥ ଅନୁସରଣ କଲେ ଓ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ରେ ଯାହା ଯଥାର୍ଥ ତାହାହିଁ କଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ଥଳୀଗୁଡିକୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କଲେ ନାହିଁ। ସେ ସମୟରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ସହେି ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ଥଳୀ ରେ ବଳିଦାନ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କଲେ ଓ ଧୂପ ଜଳାଇଲେ।

44 ପୁଣି ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଶାନ୍ତି ଚୁକ୍ତି କଲେ।

45 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଅତି ସାହସୀ ଥିଲେ ଓ ସେ ବହୁ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜଗଣଙ୍କ ଇତିହାସ ପୁସ୍ତକରେ ଲିଖିତ ହାଇେଛି।

46 ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା ଆସାଙ୍କ ସମୟରେ ଯେଉଁ ପୁରୁଷ ବେଶ୍ଯାମାନେ ଥିଲେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ସେ ଦେଶରୁ ତଡି ଦେଲେ।

47 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଇଦୋମର କହେି ରାଜା ନଥିଲେ। ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ନିୟୁକ୍ତି ଜଣେ ପ୍ରତିନିଧି ତା'ର ଶାସନ ଚଳାଇଲେ।

48 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଓଫୀରକୁ ୟାଇ ସୁନା ଆଣିବା ସକାେଶ ତର୍ଶୀଶର କେତକେ ବାଣିଜ୍ଯ ପୋତ ନିର୍ମାଣ କଲେ, ମାତ୍ର ସେ ସବୁ ଗଲାନାହିଁ କାରଣ ସହେି ଜାହାଜଗୁଡିକ ଇତ୍ସିୟୋନ୍ଗବରେ ରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଗଲା।

49 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ମାରେ ନାବିକମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ନାବିକମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଜାହାଜ ରେ ଯିବେ, ମାତ୍ର ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଏଥି ରେ ରାଜି ହେଲେ ନାହିଁ।

50 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ପରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷଗଣଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଦାଉଦ ନଗର ରେ କବର ରେ ସମାହିତ ହେଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅନ୍ତେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଯିହାରୋମ୍ ରାଜା ହେଲେ।

51 ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ବର ସପ୍ତଦଶ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ହେଲେ। ସେ ଶମରିଯା ରେ ଦୁଇବର୍ଷ ଶାସନ କଲେ।

52 ଅହସିଯ ଆପଣା ପିତା ଆହାବ୍, ମାତା ଇଷବଲେ ଓ ନବାଟଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ୟାରବିଯାମ ପରି ପାପକର୍ମ କଲେ। ଏହିସବୁ ଶାସକ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ପାପ କରାଇଲେ।

53 ପୁଣି ସେ ଆପଣା ପିତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ରିଯାନୁସା ରେ ବାଲର ଉପାସନା ଓ ସବୋ କଲେ ଓ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ବିରକ୍ତ କଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତା' ଉପରେ କୋରଧ କଲେ, ଯେପରି ତା'ର ପିତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ କରିଥିଲେ।

1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

2 And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

3 And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.

6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?

8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king’s hand.

13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

14 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.

15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord?

17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

20 And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.

22 And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

23 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.

24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?

25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.

30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.

38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which he spake.

39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

41 And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

46 And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

47 There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.

49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.

52 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:

53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.

Esther 2 in Tamil and English

1 ਅਸਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਣੀ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਇਸਤੋਂ ਬਆਦ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਹਸ਼ਵੇਰੋਸ਼ ਦਾ ਕਰੋਧ ਠੰਡਾ ਪੈ ਗਿਆ। ਫਿਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਵਸ਼ਤੀ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਆਪਣੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਅਤੇ ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਵਸ਼ਤੀ ਤੇ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ, ਉਸ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਚਿਤਵਿਆ।
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 ਤਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਝਾਅ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਕਿਹਾ, “ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਲਈ ਸੋਹਣੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਭਾਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ।
Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

3 ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਂਤ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਆਗੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੁਣੇ ਅਤੇ ਫਿਰ ਇਹ ਆਗੂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਖੂਬਸੂਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਅਣਵਿਆਹੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੂਸ਼ਨ ਜਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਆਉਣ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਦੇ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ। ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਖੁਸਰੇ ਹੇਗਈ ਦੀ ਦੇਖ-ਰੇਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿਣਗੀਆਂ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਦਾ ਸਰਪ੍ਰਸਤ ਹੈ। ਫ਼ਿਰ ਉਹ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੂਬਸੂਰਤੀ ਲਈ ਵਸਤਾਂ ਦੇਵੇਗਾ।
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 ਫਿਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਸਭਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਿਹੜੀ ਕਂਜਕ ਕੁਆਰੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਵੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵਸ਼ਤੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਵੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਣੀ ਬਾਪਿਆਂ ਜਾਵੇ।” ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਮਸ਼ਵਰਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਿਆ ਤ੍ਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਮੰਨ ਲਿਆ।
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

5 ਹੁਣ ਬਿਨਯਾਮੀਨੀ ਘਰਾਣੇ ਦੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਸਮੂਹ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਯਹੂਦੀ ਸੀ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਯਾਈਰ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੀਸ਼ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਸੀ। ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਸ਼ੂਸ਼ਨ ਜਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀ।
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 ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਯਰੂਸ਼ਲਮ ਤੋਂ ਨਬੂਕਦਨੱਸਰ ਦੁਆਰਾ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਬਾਬਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸੀ, ਬੰਦੀ ਬਣਾਕੇ ਲਿਜਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਅਤੇ ਯਹੂਦਾਹ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ, ਯੇਹੋਇਆਚਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਸਮੂਹ ਸਮੇਤ ਬੰਦੀ ਬਣਾ ਲਿਆ ਸੀ।
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 ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਚਾਚੇ ਦੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਸੀ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਨਾਂਉ ਹਦੱਸਾਹ ਸੀ। ਉਹ ਅਨਾਬ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਕਾਰਣ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਦੇਖ ਭਾਲ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਕਰਦਾ ਸੀ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਾਂ ਬਾਪ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਬਣਾਇਆ। ਹਦੱਸਾਹ ਦਾ ਦੂਜਾ ਨਾਂਉ ਅਸਤਰ ਸੀ। ਅਸਤਰ ਵੇਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਬੜੀ ਸੋਹਣੀ-ਸੁਨੱਥੀ ਸੀ।
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 ਜਦੋਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਦੀ ਸੁਣਵਾਈ ਹੋ ਗਈ, ਤਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਸ਼ੂਸ਼ਨ ਜਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਆਈਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੇਗਈ ਦੀ ਦੇਖ ਰੇਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਗਿਆ। ਅੱਸਤਰ ਵੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਸੀ। ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਜਾਕੇ ਹੇਗਈ ਦੀ ਦੇਖ ਰੇਖ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਗਿਆ। ਹੇਗਈ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਜ਼ਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਦਾ ਸਰਪ੍ਰਸਤ ਸੀ।
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 ਹੇਗਈ ਨੂੰ ਅਸਤਰ ਪਸੰਦ ਆਈ ਤੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਚਹੇਤੀ ਬਣੀ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਹੇਗਈ ਨੇ ਉਸਦੀ ਸੁੰਦਰਤਾ ਵੱਧਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਖਾਸ ਉਪਚਾਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਧੀਆ ਭੋਜਨ ਖਾਣ ਨੂੰ ਦਿੱਤੇ। ਹੇਗਈ ਨੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਲਈ ਸੱਤ ਗੋਲੀਆਂ ਚੁਣੀਆਂ। ਫਿਰ ਹੇਗਈ ਨੇ ਅਸਤਰ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਸੱਤ ਦਾਸੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧੀਆ ਥਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਠਹਿਰਾਇਆ।
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 ਅਸਤਰ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਨਾ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਯਹੂਦਣ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਖਾਨਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਕੜ ਬਾਰੇ ਨਾ ਦੱਸਿਆ, ਕਿਉਂ ਕਿ ਮਰਦਕਈ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਣੋ ਮਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ।
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

11 ਅਤੇ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਹਰ ਰੋਜ਼ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਦੇ ਵਿਹੜੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਫਿਰਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਅਸਤਰ ਦੀ ਸੁੱਖ ਸਾਂਦ ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਰਹੇ।
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 ਹੁਣ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਹਸ਼ਵੇਰੋਸ਼ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ, ਉਸ ਲਈ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਗੁਜ਼ਰਨਾ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਸੀ: ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਖੂਬਸੂਰਤੀ ਦੇ ਉਪਚਾਰ ਦੇ ਬਾਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰਨਾ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਸੀ। ਇਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ, ਛੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਮੁਰ ਦੇ ਤੇਲ ਨਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਅਗਲੇ ਛੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵੱਖੋ-ਵੱਖਰੇ ਅਤਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਵਟਣਿਆਂ ਆਦਿ ਨਾਲ ਉਪਚਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ।
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 ਇਉਂ ਇਸ ਸਾਰੀ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਸੀ। ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਉਸ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਚੋ ਮੁਹਈਆ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ। ਜਿਸਦੀ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਲੋੜ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਸੀ।
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 ਸ਼ਾਮ ਵੇਲੇ, ਕੁੜੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਵੇਰ ਹੋਣ ਤੇ ਜਨਾਨਖਾਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਤ ਆਉਂਦੀ। ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਸ ਕੁੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਖੁਸਰੇ ਸੁਅਸ਼ਗਜ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਜਿਹੜਾ ਕਿ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸੁਰੀਤਾਂ ਦਾ ਰਾਖਾ ਸੀ। ਤਦ ਉਹ ਕੁੜੀ ਉਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਮੁੜ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਨਾ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਾ ਨਾ ਕਰਦਾ। ਜੇਕਰ ਉਹ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਉਸਦਾ ਨਾਉਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਮੁੜ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਹਿਲੀਁ ਬੁਲਾਉਂਦਾ।
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 ਜਦੋਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਦੀ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕੋਲ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਵਾਰੀ ਆਈ, ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕੋਈ ਮੰਗ ਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ (ਅਸਤਰ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਦੇ ਚਾਚੇ ਅਬੀਹਯਿਲ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਗੋਦ ਲਿਆ ਸੀ।) ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕੋਲ ਜਾਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਚੀਜ਼ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤੀ। ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਹੇਗਈ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਹੀ ਲਈ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਜਨਾਨੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਸਰਪ੍ਰਸਤ ਸੀ, ਕਿ ਉਸ ਲਈ ਕੀ ਲੈਣਾ ਠੀਕ ਰਹੇਗਾ। ਜਿਹੜਾ ਵੀ ਅਸਤਰ ਵੱਲ ਵੇਖ ਦਾ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ।
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 ਇਉਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਹਸ਼ਵੇਰੋਸ਼ ਕੋਲ ਲਿਜਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ। ਇਹ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਰਾਜ ਦੇ ਸੱਤਵੇਂ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਦਸਵੇਂ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਟੇਬੇਬ ਦਾ ਮਹੀਨਾ ਸੀ ਜਦੋਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਹਿਲੀਁ ਪਹੁੰਚੀ।
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 ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਲਗੀ ਤੇ ਉਹ ਉਸਦੀ ਮਨਪਸੰਦ ਦੀ ਸੀ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਤਾਜ ਪੁਆ ਕੇ ਵਸ਼ਤੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਵੇਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਣੀ ਬਣਾਇਆ।
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 ਫ਼ੇਰ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਅਸਤਰ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਡੀ ਦਾਅਵਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਖਾਸ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਣ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਆਗੂਆਂ ਲਈ ਸੀ। ਉਸ ਦਿਨ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੂਬਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਛੁੱਟੀ ਘੋਸ਼ਿਤ ਕੀਤੀ। ਕਿਉਂ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਦਿਆਲੂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸੀ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੋਂਹਫੇ ਵੰਡੇ।
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 ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੂੰ ਭੈੜੀ ਵਿਉਂਤ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਣਾ ਜਦ ਦੂਜੀ ਵਾਰ ਕੁਆਰੀਆਂ ਕੁੜੀਆਂ ਇਕੱਠੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ ਤਾਂ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਫਾਟਕ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੀ ਬੈਠਾ ਸੀ।
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

20 ਅਸਤਰ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਯਹੂਦੀ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਭੇਤ ਅਜੇ ਤਾਈਂ ਗੁਪਤ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਖਾਨਦਾਨ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਕੜ ਬਾਰੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਸੀ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ। ਉਹ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੂੰ ਓਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਮਂਨਦੀ ਸੀ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਉਸਦੀ ਦੇਖ ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ।
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 ਉਸ ਵਕਤ ਜਦੋਂ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਪਾਤਾਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਫਾਟਕ ਕੋਲ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਸੀ, ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਖੁਸਰਿਆਂ ਬਿਗਬਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਤਰਸ਼ ਨੇ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ੇ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਰੇਦਾਰੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਸਨ, ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਹਸ਼ਵੇਰੋਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਨਾਰਾਜ਼ ਹੋਕੇ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰਨ ਦੀ ਵਿਉਂਤ ਬਣਾਈ।
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 ਪਰ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਭੈੜੀ ਨੀਅਤ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਚੱਲ ਗਿਆ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਖਬਰ ਅਸਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਕੇ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ। ਤਾਂ ਅਸਤਰ ਰਾਣੀ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਜਾਕੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਖੀ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਜਾਕੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਬੁਰੀ ਖਬਰ ਦੀ ਸੂਹ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਮਾਰਦਕਈ ਨੇ ਹੀ ਲਗਾਇਆ ਹੈ।
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 ਫਿਰ ਇਸ ਬਦ ਵਿਉਂਤ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਪੜਤਾਲ ਹੋਈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਖਬਰ ਸੱਚ ਨਿਕਲੀ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਪਹਿਰੇਦਾਰ ਇੱਕ ਦ੍ਰੱਖਤ ਤੇ ਫ਼ਾਂਸੀ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਏ ਗਏ। ਇਹ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੀ ਹਾਜ਼ਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਵਾਪਰੀਆ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਇਤਹਾਸ ਦੀ ਪੋਥੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਲਿਖੀਆਂ ਗਈਆਂ।
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.