³ He held a feast^(A) in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media,^(B) the nobles,^(C) and the officials from the provinces.

²¹ The king and his counselors approved the proposal, and he followed Memucan’s advice.

¹⁸ The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff.^(A) It was Esther’s banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.^(B)