³ in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers. The army of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces were present,^(A)

¹⁸ Then the king gave a great banquet to all his officials and ministers: “Esther’s banquet.” He also granted a holiday^[a] to the provinces and gave gifts with royal liberality.^(A)