15
The time came for Esther, the daughter of Aminadab the uncle of Mordecai, to go to the king. She had done everything that Hegai had advised, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.
16
So in Xerxes' seventh year as king, in the twelfth month, the month of Adar, she was brought to the king.
17
He fell in love with Esther, who pleased him more than any of the others, and he placed the queen's crown on her head.
18
Then the king gave a week-long banquet for all his advisers and administrators to celebrate his marriage to Esther. He also granted a reduction of taxes for the whole empire.
19
Meanwhile Mordecai had been appointed to a high administrative position.
20
As for Esther, she had still not let it be known that she was Jewish. Mordecai had told her not to tell anyone, and she obeyed him in this, just as she had obeyed him when she was a little girl under his care. She continued to worship God and carry out God's commands, without abandoning her Jewish ways.
21
When the king promoted Mordecai to a higher position, the two palace eunuchs who were officers of the king's bodyguard became angry and plotted to assassinate the king.
22
Mordecai learned about it and told Queen Esther, who then told the king the details of the plot.
23
The king had the two men questioned, and both men were hanged. To honor Mordecai, the king ordered an account of this to be written down in the royal records, so that his valuable service would be remembered.