Esther 1:8-9 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house… What was there in all that to satisfy the soul's hunger and thirst, its craving and longing? One morsel of the bread of life would be better, one drop of the wine of the kingdom more blessed and exhilarating, than it all. So that when we look abroad upon the scene of Persian magnificence and luxury, the glitter and splendour of it seems to dissolve and fade away when there is brought into prominence our Lord's solemn inquiry, "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (T. McEwan.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. |
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