18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes, and his servants, which was [a]the feast of Esther, and gave rest [b]unto the provinces, and gifts, according to the [c]power of a king.

19 And when the virgins were gathered the [d]second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

20 Esther had not yet showed her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did after the word of Mordecai, as when she was nourished with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:18 That is, made for her sake.
  2. Esther 2:18 He released their tribute.
  3. Esther 2:18 That is, great and magnificent.
  4. Esther 2:19 That is, at the marriage of Esther, which was the second marriage of the king.

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)

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