Esther 2:17-19

Evangelical Heritage Version

¹⁷ The king loved Esther more than he loved all the other women. She won his favor and approval more than all the other virgins did. He placed the crown of the kingdom on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

¹⁸ The king gave a great banquet in honor of Esther for all his officials and administrators. He declared a tax holiday for the provinces and gave gifts as only the king could give.

¹⁹ When the virgins were gathered together for a second time,^[a] Mordecai was sitting in the gatehouse to the king’s palace.