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Mordecai Discovers a Plot

19 When the virgins were being gathered together,[a] Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 Now Esther had not revealed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.(A) 21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the threshold, became angry and conspired to kill[b] King Ahasuerus.(B) 22 But the matter came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai.(C) 23 When the affair was investigated and found to be so, both men were hung on the pole. It was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.19 Heb adds a second time
  2. 2.21 Heb to lay hands on

Mordecai Saves the King

19 When the virgins(A) were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate.(B) 20 Esther still did not reveal her family background or her ethnicity, as Mordecai had directed. She obeyed Mordecai’s orders, as she always had while he raised her.

21 During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King’s Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs(C) who guarded the entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate[a] King Ahasuerus. 22 When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai’s behalf.(D) 23 When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows.(E) This event was recorded in the Historical Record in the king’s presence.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:21 Lit and they sought to stretch out a hand against