And Mordecai walked to and fro every day in front of the court of the women’s house in order to know Esther’s welfare, and what would be done with her.
Esther had not revealed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her. For Esther obeyed Mordecai’s command, as she did when she was being brought up by him.
And he was supporting Hadassah (she is Esther) his uncle’s daughter, for there was not father or mother to her. And the young woman was fair of appearance and good of form. And at the death of her father and mother, Mordecai took her for his daughter.
And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, There is a people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom. And their laws are different from every people, and they are not doing the king’s laws. And it is not for the king’s gain to let them alone.
For we are sold, my people and I, for destruction, for murder and for perishing. But if we had been sold for male slaves and slave-girls, I would have kept silent, though the adversary could not equal the king’s loss.