And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask of him.
The king's servants, who presided over the doors of the palace, said to him, "Why do you, more than the others, not observe the king's command?"
And he considered it pointless to lay his hands on Mordecai alone, for he had heard that he was part of the Jewish people. And so he wanted more: to destroy the entire nation of the Jews, who were in the kingdom of Artaxerxes.
And he continued with this lamenting, even up to the gate of the palace, for no one clothed with sackcloth is permitted to enter the king's court.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
Then, on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced in their midst, and it pleased Herod.
But, having been advised by her mother, she said, "Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist."