Add parallel Print Page Options

17 Xerxes liked Esther more than he did any of the other young women. None of them pleased him as much as she did, and he immediately fell in love with her and crowned her queen in place of Vashti. 18 In honor of Esther he gave a big dinner for his leaders and officials. Then he declared a holiday[a] everywhere in his kingdom and gave expensive gifts.

Mordecai Saves the King's Life

19 When the young women were brought together again, Esther's cousin Mordecai had become a palace official.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2.18 holiday: The Hebrew expression refers to a certain amount of time when the people did not have to pay their regular taxes.

17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen(A) instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet,(B) Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials.(C) He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.(D)

Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.(E)

Read full chapter