¹⁸ And the king gave a great banquet,^(A) Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials.^(B) He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.^(C)

Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy

¹⁹ When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.^{(D) 20} But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.^(E)