9 And this virgin pleased his eyes, and gained favor with him, and he hastened to give her the rubbings and all that was appointed for her part, and to assign to her seven virgins worthy to be with her, from the king's house, and he transferred her and her maidens to the best section of the women's house.

10 And Esther did not speak of her people, nor of her kindred, because Mordecai had commanded her not to speak.

11 And every day Mordecai came to the court of the women's house, to inquire about Esther's health, and what was happening to her.

12 And when the time came for every maiden to come in unto king Ahasuerus, after all that was ordained for the women had been done unto her for twelve months, for so long were the days of their lapping, six months with oil of ointment, and six months with spices and other ornaments of women,

13 Then the damsel went in to the king. Whatever she demanded, she was given everything to go out of the women's house to the king's house.

14 In the evening she went in, and in the morning returned to another house of women, under the supervision of Shaazgaz, the king's eunuch, the guard of the concubines; and she no longer went in to the king, unless the king desired her, and she was called by name.

15 And when the time came for Esther, the daughter of Aminadab, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her to him in his place, to go to the king, then she asked nothing but what Hegai, the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, had told her. And Esther gained favor with herself in the eyes of all who saw her.

16 And Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus, to his king's house, in the tenth month, that is, in the month of Thebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she gained his favor and favor more than all the virgins. and he put the royal crown on her head, and made her queen in the place of Vashti.

18 And the king made a great feast for all his princes, and for those who served therein, a feast for Esther's sake, and made a privilege to the provinces, and distributed gifts with royal generosity.

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordecai sat at the king's gate,

20 Yet Esther did not speak of her kinship and of her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; and Esther fulfilled the word of Mordecai even now, just as she did when she was brought up by him.

21 And while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, the two royal eunuchs, Gibathha and Terah, who were guarding the threshold, were angry [because Mordecai was preferred], and plotted to lay a hand on king Ahasuerus.

22 When Mordecai heard of this, he told Queen Esther, and Esther spoke to the king in Mordecai's name.