<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" />

<p class="bodytext">Now Mordecai went out from the king&#8217;s presence in purple and white royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa shouted with joy.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority to confirm this second<n id="1" /> letter about Purim.

<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 when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he<n id="1" /> tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud<n id="2" /> and bitter voice.

<t /><p class="bodytext">On that same day King Ahasuerus gave the estate<n id="1" /> of Haman, that adversary of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Now Mordecai had come before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her.