⁸ So when the decree of the king was proclaimed and many young women were gathered in the city of Susa in custody of Gai, Esther also was brought to Gai, who had custody of the women.^(A)

⁹ The young woman pleased him and won his favor, and he quickly provided her with ointments and her portion of food,^[a] as well as seven young women chosen from the palace; he treated her and her maids with special favor in the harem.^(A)

¹² Now the period after which a young woman was to go to the king was twelve months. During this time the days of cosmetic treatment are completed: six months while they are anointing themselves with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women.

¹⁵ When the time was fulfilled for Esther daughter of Aminadab, the brother of Mordecai’s father, to go in to the king, she neglected none of the things that the eunuch in charge of the women had commanded. For Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.^(A)