When Esther’s reply ¹  was conveyed to Mordecai,

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:

When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy, ¹  he informed Queen Esther, ²  and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s behalf. ³ 

But the thought of striking out against ¹  Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed ²  of the identity of Mordecai’s people. ³  So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai) ⁴  who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.

So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate.

So Hathach returned and related Mordecai’s instructions ¹  to Esther.

Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai:

So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him.

Mordecai was of high rank ¹  in the king’s palace, and word about him was spreading throughout all the provinces. His influence ²  continued to become greater and greater.

Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, ¹  for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so. ² 

Now when the young women were being gathered again, ¹  Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. ² 

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he ¹  was filled with rage.

So the Jews committed themselves to continue what they had begun to do and to what Mordecai had written to them.

Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. ¹  But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence, ²  Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

The king then removed his signet ring (the very one he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s estate.

Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, ¹  just as Mordecai had instructed her. ²  Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.

So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority to confirm this second ¹  letter about Purim.

They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of Israelites ¹  was as follows: ² 

They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of Israelite men ¹  was as follows:

Then the servants of the king who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s commandment?”