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When the king’s announcement and decree were heard, many young women were gathered together and brought to the fortress of Susa. They were placed in the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and placed in the care of Hegai, the guardian of the women. The young woman pleased him and won his affection. So he immediately provided her with the beauty treatment, a daily supply of food, and seven suitable female servants from the king’s palace. Then he moved her and her servants to the best place in the women’s quarters.

10 Esther did not reveal her nationality or her family background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to.

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So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were (A)gathered at [a]Shushan the [b]citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave (B)beauty preparations to her, besides [c]her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.

10 (C)Esther had not [d]revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 2:8 Or Susa
  2. Esther 2:8 palace
  3. Esther 2:9 Lit. her portions
  4. Esther 2:10 Revealed the identity of