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17 The king loved Esther more than all other women, and of all the virgins she won his favor and good will. So he placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast in honor of Esther to all his officials and servants, granting a holiday to the provinces and bestowing gifts with royal generosity.

Mordecai Thwarts an Assassination.[a] 19 (A)As was said, from the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king’s gate,

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Footnotes

  1. 2:19–23 This story is retold and placed at the beginning of the book in Greek addition A:12–17, with significant differences (see note). The Greek also has a translation of the account in 2:19–23 at this point in the narrative.

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)

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