¹⁰ Now on the counsel of Mordecai, Esther did not mention her nationality or family to anyone. ¹¹ And every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem, seeking to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

¹² Before each girl’s turn came when she could visit King Ahasuerus, she must have completed twelve months of prescribed beauty treatments: six months with oil of myrrh and another six with perfume and cosmetics.