For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor. ¹ 

the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace.

For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, ‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.’

Now you write in the king’s name whatever in your opinion is appropriate concerning the Jews and seal it with the king’s signet ring. Any decree that is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring cannot be rescinded.

Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, ¹  just as Mordecai had instructed her. ²  Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.

The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king’s edict without delay. ¹  And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well.

When Esther’s female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai’s behavior, ¹  the queen was overcome with anguish. Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth, he would not accept them.

Now when the young women were being gathered again, ¹  Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. ² 

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he ¹  was filled with rage.

So they hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The king’s rage then abated.

If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined ¹  to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time ²  I will do as the king wishes. ³ 

So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him.

he ¹  said to take back this answer to Esther:

The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies.

Queen Esther replied, “If I have met with your approval, ¹  O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition.

Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, ¹  for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so. ² 

When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she ¹  arose and stood before the king.

Haman’s ¹  wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows seventy-five feet ²  high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.” ³  It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built.

to bring Queen Vashti into the king’s presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive. ¹ 

But Queen Vashti refused ¹  to come at the king’s bidding ²  conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed ³  him.