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

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

So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate.

Then Mordecai again sat at the king’s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head.

Then the servants of the king who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s commandment?”

Yet all of this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan ¹  and Teresh, ²  two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance, ³  became angry and plotted to assassinate ⁴  King Ahasuerus.

As a result, ¹  all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, ²  nor did he pay him homage.

Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. ¹  But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence, ²  Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

The king then said to Haman, “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’s gate. Don’t neglect ¹  a single thing of all that you have said.”