⁵ ¶ In the city of Shushan there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish a man of Benjamin,

⁶ Which had been carried away from Jerusalem ^(A)with the captivity that was carried away with Jeconiah King of Judah (whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel had carried away.)

⁷ And he nourished Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful to look on: and after the death of her father, and her mother, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.

⁸ And when the king’s commandment, and his decree was published, and many maids were brought together to the palace of Shushan, under the hand of Hegai, Esther was brought also unto the King’s house under the hand of Hegai the keeper of the women.

⁹ And the maid pleased him, and she found favor in his sight, therefore he caused her things for purification to be given her speedily, and her ^[a]state, and seven comely maids to be given her out of the King’s house, and he gave change to her and to her maids of the best in the house of the women.

¹⁰ But Esther showed not her people and her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not tell it.

¹¹ And Mordecai walked ^[b]every day before the court of the women’s house, to know if Esther did well, and what should be done with her.