²⁶ Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, “Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.^(A)”

Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews

3 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite,^(A) elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.

² All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman,^(A) the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.

² The king took off his signet ring,^(A) which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.^(B)

The Triumph of the Jews

¹⁵ When Mordecai^(A) left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold^(B) and a purple robe of fine linen.^(C) And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.^(D)

³ Mordecai the Jew was second^(A) in rank^(B) to King Xerxes,^(C) preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.^(D)