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

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

^2 (A)“Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

³ He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

Mordecai Discovers a Plot

¹⁹ When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate.

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