19 (A)Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai (B)was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 (C)Esther still had not revealed her relatives or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did [a]what Mordecai told her just as she had (D)when under his care.

Mordecai Saves the King

21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, (E)Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to [b]attack King Ahasuerus. 22 But the [c]plot became known to Mordecai and (F)he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 Then when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a wooden gallows; and it was written in (G)the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:20 Lit the command of Mordecai
  2. Esther 2:21 Or kill; lit put out a hand against
  3. Esther 2:22 Lit matter, so also v 23

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