Now when the turnof eachyoungladycameto goin to KingAhasuerus,afterthe endof her twelvemonthsunder the regulationsfor the women--for the daysof their beautificationwere completedas follows:sixmonthswith oilof myrrhand sixmonthswith spicesand the cosmeticsfor women--
EverydayMordecaiwalkedbackand forth in frontof the courtof the haremto learnhowEstherwas and howshe fared.
the youngladywould goin to the kingin thisway:anythingthat she desiredwas givenher to takewith her from the haremto the king'spalace.
"Let the kingappointoverseersin allthe provincesof his kingdomthat they may gathereverybeautifulyoungvirginto the citadelof Susa,to the harem,into the custodyof Hegai,the king'seunuch,who is in chargeof the women;and let their cosmeticsbe given[them].
Now the youngladypleasedhim and foundfavorwith him. So he quicklyprovidedher with her cosmeticsand food,gaveher sevenchoicemaidsfrom the king'spalaceand transferredher and her maidsto the bestplace in the harem.
"I have sprinkledmy bedWith myrrh,aloesand cinnamon.
"Whatis thiscomingup from the wildernessLike columnsof smoke,Perfumedwith myrrhand frankincense,With allscentedpowdersof the merchant?
Now it will comeabout that insteadof sweetperfumethere will be putrefaction;Insteadof a belt,a rope;Insteadof well-sethair,a plucked-outscalp;Insteadof fineclothes,a donningof sackcloth;And brandinginsteadof beauty.
"You have journeyedto the kingwith oilAnd increasedyour perfumes;You have sentyour envoysa great distanceAnd made [them] godownto Sheol.
