Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai:

When Esther’s reply ¹  was conveyed to Mordecai,

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:

Esther responded, ¹  “My request and my petition is this:

The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

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

So the king and Haman came to dine ¹  with Queen Esther.

Esther’s command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded. ¹ 

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

When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she ¹  arose and stood before the king.

Only in two things spare me, ¹  O God, ²  and then I will not hide from your face:

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.

When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. ¹  The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.

Look! You are driving me off the land ¹  today, and I must hide from your presence. ²  I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth; whoever finds me will kill me.”

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

And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing ¹  and what might happen to her.

Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal residence in the tenth ¹  month (that is, the month of Tebeth) in the seventh ²  year of his reign.

Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants – it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense. ¹ 

So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service, ¹  and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior. ² 

he ¹  said to take back this answer to Esther: