Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai:

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

In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life, ¹  for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him. ² 

Queen Vashti ¹  also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.

So Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king wishes to honor,

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

For we have been sold ¹  – both I and my people – to destruction and to slaughter and to annihilation! If we had simply been sold as male and female slaves, I would have remained silent, for such distress would not have been sufficient for troubling the king.”

Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants – it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense. ¹ 

The king’s servants who attended him said, “Let a search be conducted in the king’s behalf for attractive young women. ¹ 

For this reason these days are known as Purim, after the name of pur.

So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service, ¹  and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior. ² 

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

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.

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

Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was the highest-ranking ¹  Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. ²  He worked enthusiastically ³  for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of ⁴  all his descendants. ⁵ 

For how can I watch the calamity that will befall my people, and how can I watch the destruction of my relatives?” ¹ 

At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women, ¹  when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus – for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women –

Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, ¹  let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

The king asked, “What great honor ¹  was bestowed on Mordecai because of this?” The king’s attendants who served him responded, “Not a thing was done for him.”

But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, ¹  along with his wife Zeresh.