Esther 2:17-19

Contemporary English Version

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.