And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.

Esther had not revealed her family or her people [that is, her Jewish background], just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did what Mordecai told her just as when she was under his care.

In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the door, became angry and conspired to attack King Ahasuerus.

All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate [in royal service] bowed down and honored and paid homage to Haman; for this is what the king had commanded in regard to him. But Mordecai [a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin] neither bowed down nor paid homage [to him].

Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you disregarding the king’s command?”

The king said to Haman, “The silver is given to you, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

He went [only] as far as the king’s gate, because no one was to enter the king’s gate dressed in sackcloth.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the [open] square of the city, which was in front of the king’s gate.

Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Haman went away that day joyful and in good spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate refusing to stand up or show fear before him, he was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

Yet all of this does not satisfy me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

Then the king said to Haman, “Quickly take the royal robe and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate. Leave out nothing of all that you have said.”

Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his [own] house, mourning and with his head covered [in sorrow].

because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and as the month which was turned for them from grief to joy and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending choice portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.