Esther 2

After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

Once King Ahasuerus' anger had cooled, he found himself reflecting on Vashti, her actions, and the harsh punishment she had received.

Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:

The king's attendants suggested, "Let's find beautiful young maidens for the king."

And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:

The king should assign officials throughout his realm to bring all beautiful young women to the royal palace in Shushan. They will be placed under the care of Hege, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women. They should be provided with everything they need for their purification rituals.

And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Let the girl who wins the king's heart become queen in place of Vashti. The king was delighted with this idea and so, he did just that.

Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;

In the grand palace of Shushan, there lived a Jew named Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, grandson of Shimei, and great-grandson of Kish, all from the tribe of Benjamin.

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.

He had been taken from Jerusalem into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, among the captives carried away with King Jeconiah of Judah.

And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

Mordecai lovingly raised his cousin, Esther, who was also known as Hadassah. She was an orphan, having lost both her parents. Despite her circumstances, she was a beacon of beauty and grace. Mordecai, seeing her alone in the world, embraced her as if she were his own daughter.

So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

When the king's order was announced, many young women, including Esther, were brought to the palace in Shushan. They were placed under the care of Hegai, the guardian of the women.

And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

The young woman captured his heart, earning his kindness. He quickly provided her with everything she needed for her purification, including her personal items and seven handmaidens from the king's palace. He favored her and her maids, giving them the finest quarters in the women's section of the palace.

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.

Esther kept her heritage a secret, as Mordecai had sternly instructed her to do so.

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Every day, Mordecai paced anxiously outside the women's quarters, deeply concerned for Esther's well-being and her uncertain future.

Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)

When it was time for each young woman to meet King Ahasuerus, they had completed a year of beautification rituals. This involved six months of cleansing with myrrh oil, followed by six months of fragrant treatments, as was the custom for women's purification.

Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.

Every young woman who approached the king was granted her heart's desire. She was given whatever she wished for as she left the women's quarters to enter the king's palace.

In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

At dusk, she left, returning the next day to the women's quarters, under the watchful eye of Shaashgaz, the king's aide who guarded the concubines. She would not see the king again unless he desired her presence and summoned her by name.

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

When it was the turn of Esther, the daughter of Mordecai's uncle Abihail, whom Mordecai had adopted as his own daughter, to meet the king, she asked for nothing more than what Hegai, the king's aide and guardian of the women, suggested. Esther, with her charm and grace, won the hearts of all who saw her.

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

In the seventh year of King Ahasuerus's rule, during the tenth month, known as Tebeth, Esther was brought into his royal palace.

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

The king's love for Esther surpassed his feelings for any other woman. She charmed him more than any maiden, winning his heart and favor. Overwhelmed by her grace, he crowned her as his queen, replacing Vashti.

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

The king joyfully hosted a grand banquet for his officials and servants, celebrating Esther's feast. He declared a holiday across his lands and generously distributed gifts, reflecting his royal status.

And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.

When the maidens assembled again, Mordecai found himself seated at the entrance of the king's palace, filled with anticipation.

Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Esther hadn't revealed her family or her people, following Mordecai's strict instructions. She obeyed Mordecai just as she did when she was raised by him.

In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.

During that time, Mordecai was at the king's entrance when two of the king's personal guards, Bigthan and Teresh, who were responsible for the door, became furious. They plotted to harm King Ahasuerus.

And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.

When Mordecai discovered the secret, he quickly shared it with Queen Esther. Filled with a sense of urgency, Esther relayed the information to the king, making sure to credit Mordecai.

And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

After a thorough investigation, the truth was uncovered. Consequently, both were executed, hung from a tree. This event was recorded in the king's historical records.