10 Esther had not revealed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not reveal it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her.
12 Now when every maid's turn had come to go in to King Ahasuerus, after she had completed twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for thus were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)
13 Then thus came every maiden to the king; whatever she desired was given to her to go with her from the house of the women to the king's house.
14 In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, under the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who kept the concubines: she came to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name.
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who looked upon her.
16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18 Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
20 Esther had not yet revealed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther obeyed the commandment of Mordecai, just as when she was brought up with him.