The Bible: Esther

The King of Persia gives a banquet for his people at which he requests the presence of his wife, Vashti. She refuses and the King disowns her. As he is searching for a replacement, he meets the young girl Esther. Unaware of her Jewish heritage, King Ahasuerus falls in love with Esther. Esther then reveals to Ahasuerus that she is Jewish and asks him to show her people mercy. Rescuing God's people from destruction, Esther is a symbol of hope, the virtue that gives men and women strength in the darkest moments, and which, for the Bible, is founded on God's promise. (jakelijan virallinen teksti)