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So he sent letters to all parts of the king's nation, to each land in its own writing and to every people in their own language. The letters said that every man should rule in his own house and speak there in the language of his own people.

Then let the young lady who pleases the king be queen in place of Vashti." This pleased the king, and he did so.

The words of the king were made known, and many young ladies were gathered to the city of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. So Esther was taken to the king's house into the care of Hegai, who cared for the women.

So Esther was taken to the beautiful house of King Ahasuerus in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his rule.

And the king loved Esther more than all the women. She found favor and kindness with him more than all the young women, so that he set the queen's crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

They spoke to him each day, but he would not listen to them. So they told Haman to see if Mordecai's reason was good enough. For he had told them that he was a Jew.

Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people spread out among the people in all the parts of your nation whose laws are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king's laws. So it is not good for the king to let them stay.

The letters were to be made a law in every land to all the people so that they should be ready for this day.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai at the king's gate in the open space of the city.

"All the king's servants and the people of the king's nation know that he has one law for any man or woman who comes to him in his room who has not been called: They will be put to death, unless the king holds out his special golden stick to him so that he may live. And I have not been called to come to the king for these thirty days."

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and have them all go without food so they can pray better for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my women servants will go without food in the same way. Then I will go in to the king, which is against the law. And if I die, I die."

So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had told him.

When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the open space, she found favor in his eyes. The king held his special golden stick in his hand toward Esther. So Esther came near and touched the top of the special stick.

Then the king said, "Be quick to bring Haman, that we may do as Esther wants." So the king and Haman came to the special supper that Esther had made ready.

So Esther answered and said, "This is what I ask of you.

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, "Have a tower made ready for hanging him. Let it be thirteen times taller than a man. And in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with joy to the special supper with the king." These words pleased Haman, so he had the tower built.

During that night the king could not sleep. So he had the Book of the Chronicles brought to him, and they were read to the king.

So the king said, "Who is outside?" Now Haman had just come into the garden outside the king's special house. He wanted to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the tower he had made ready for him.

So Haman came in and the king said to him, "What is to be done for the man whom the king wants to honor?" Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king want to honor more than me?"

So Haman took the clothing and the horse. He dressed Mordecai and led him on the horse through the center of the city. And he made known before him, "This is being done to the man whom the king wants to honor."