17. (The king had reported to them the queen’s words and how she defied the king.) "Just as she defied King Artaxerxes,
18. after today the important women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen’s actions will dare to dishonor their own husbands.
19. Now, if the king likes this suggestion, he might send out a royal order and have it written into the laws of Persia and Media. It shouldn’t be applied differently for anyone. It should say that the queen should never again be allowed to come before the king. It should also say that King Artaxerxes will give Vashti’s royal place to someone better than she.