¹¹ to bring^(A) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty^(B) to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.

²¹ Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet^(A) for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.^{(B) 22} When the daughter of^[a] Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.”

⁸ have them bring a royal robe^(A) the king has worn and a horse^(B) the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.

²⁵ In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him.

³ His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail.^(A) She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.^(B)

Saying 19

¹⁷ Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen^(A) instead of Vashti.