²⁹ Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up,^[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

⁵ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^[a](A)

⁴ rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.^{(A) 5} It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by being subject to their husbands.

³ Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request.^{(A) 4} For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace, but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.”^{[a](B) 5} Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?” ⁶ Esther said, “A foe and an enemy, this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.^(C)