¹¹ “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside ^(A)the inner court without being called, ^(B)there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one ^(C)to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

¹⁶ “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for ^(A)three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, ^(B)and if I perish, I perish.”^[a]

² And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, ^(A)she won favor in his sight, ^(B)and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. ³ And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even ^(C)to the half of my kingdom.” ⁴ And Esther said, “If it please the king,^[a] let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” ⁵ Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. ^6 (D)And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, ^(E)“What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? ^(F)Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”^{[b] 7} Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: ^8 (G)If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king^[c] to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to ^(H)the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”