Esther 2:16-22
English Standard Version
Chapter 2
16And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther 's feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.
19Now when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king 's gate.
20Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.
21In those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the king 's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king 's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
22And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.
