² And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, ^(A)she won favor in his sight, ^(B)and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

^4 (A)When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther rose and stood before the king.

¹¹ “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside ^(A)the inner court without being called, ^(B)there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one ^(C)to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms ^(A)have ascended ^(B)as a memorial before God.

¹⁰ and rescued him out of all his afflictions and ^(A)gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ^(B)who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

I Love the Lord

⁹ And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her ^(A)with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king's palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.

¹¹ O Lord, ^(A)let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

Now I was ^(B)cupbearer to the king.