12
Now when the turn of eachyoungladycame to go in to KingAhasuerus, after the end of her twelve*months under the regulations for the women -for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: sixmonths with oil of myrrh and sixmonths with spices and the cosmetics for women -
14
In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the secondharem*, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king'seunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not againgo in to the kingunless* the kingdelighted in her and she was summoned by name.
15
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecaiwho had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not requestanythingexcept*whatHegai, the king'seunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Estherfoundfavor in the eyes of all who saw her.
17
The kinglovedEsthermorethanall the women, and she foundfavor and kindness with him morethanall the virgins, so that he set the royalcrown on her head and made her queeninstead of Vashti.
18
Then the kinggave a greatbanquet, Esther'sbanquet, for all his princes and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gavegifts according to the king'sbounty.
20
Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had commanded her; for EstherdidwhatMordecaitold her as she had donewhen under his care.