King James Version (KJV)
But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
Modern English
But the people stayed quiet, and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Don’t answer him.”
Hebrew
וְהֶחֱרִ֣ישׁוּ הָעָ֔ם וְלֹֽא־עָנ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָ֑ר כִּי־מִצְוַ֨ת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ הִ֛יא לֵאמֹ֖ר לֹ֥א תַעֲנֻֽהוּ׃
vheḥeriyshv haʿam vloʾ-ʿanv ʾotvo dabar kiy-miṣvat hamelek hiyʾ leʾmor loʾ taʿanuhv