²⁰ When the edict of the king that he issues is heard throughout his kingdom—for it’s vast—then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least important.”

²¹ This seemed like a good idea^[a] to the king and his officials, so the king did what Memucan suggested.^{[b] 22} He sent letters to all the provinces of the king, written in the script of that province,^[c] and to each people in their own language, ordering that every man should be the master in his house and speak the language of his own people.