³ Then the king's servants who were ^(A)at the king's gate said to Mordecai, “Why do you transgress ^(B)the king's command?”

² And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. ^(A)But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.

^2 (A)“Why do your disciples break ^(B)the tradition of the elders? ^(C)For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” ³ He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

¹⁹ Now when the virgins were gathered together ^(A)the second time, Mordecai was sitting ^(B)at the king's gate.

¹⁷ But the midwives ^(A)feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.