But he went no further than the king’s gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now when the young women were being gathered again,<n id="1" /> Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217;s gate.<n id="2" />

So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king&#8217;s gate.

<p class="bodytext">Then Mordecai again sat at the king&#8217;s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head.

<p class="bodytext">Then the servants of the king who were at the king&#8217;s gate asked Mordecai, &#8220;Why are you violating the king&#8217;s commandment?&#8221;

Yet all of this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king&#8217;s gate.&#8221;p>

<p class="bodytext">In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king&#8217;s gate, Bigthan<n id="1" /> and Teresh,<n id="2" /> two of the king&#8217;s eunuchs who protected the entrance,<n id="3" /> became angry and plotted to assassinate<n id="4" /> King Ahasuerus.

As a result,<n id="1" /> all the king&#8217;s servants who were at the king&#8217;s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow,<n id="2" /> nor did he pay him homage.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged.<n id="1" /> But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king&#8217;s gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence,<n id="2" /> Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

<p class="bodytext">The king then said to Haman, &#8220;Go quickly! Take the clothing and the horse, just as you have described, and do as you just indicated to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king&#8217;s gate. Don&#8217;t neglect<n id="1" /> a single thing of all that you have said.&#8221;p>