Additions to Esther 1:4-14

4 Noises [a] and confusion, thunders and earthquake, tumult on the earth!
5 Then two great dragons came forward, both ready to fight, and they roared terribly.
6 At their roaring every nation prepared for war, to fight against the righteous nation.
7 It was a day of darkness and gloom, of tribulation and distress, affliction and great tumult on the earth!
8 And the whole righteous nation was troubled; they feared the evils that threatened them, and were ready to perish.
9 Then they cried out to God; and at their outcry, as though from a tiny spring, there came a great river, with abundant water;
10 light came, and the sun rose, and the lowly were exalted and devoured those held in honor.
11 Mordecai saw in this dream what God had determined to do, and after he awoke he had it on his mind, seeking all day t understand it in every detail.
12 Now Mordecai took his rest in the courtyard with Gabatha and Tharra, the two eunuchs of the king who kept watch in the courtyard.
13 He overheard their conversation and inquired into their purposes, and learned that they were preparing to lay hands on King Artaxerxes; and he informed the king concerning them.
14 Then the king examined the two eunuchs, and after they had confessed it, they were led away to execution.

Footnotes 2

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.