Esther 2:18-20

Common English Bible

¹⁸ The king held a magnificent, lavish feast, “the feast of Esther,” for all his officials and courtiers. He declared a public holiday^[a] for the provinces and gave out gifts with royal generosity. ¹⁹ When they gathered the young women to the second women’s house,^[b] Mordecai was working for the king at the King’s Gate. ²⁰ Esther still wasn’t telling anyone her family background and race, just as Mordecai had ordered her. She continued to do what Mordecai said, just as she did when she was in his care.