Esther 4:17–5:2

¹⁷So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had ordered him.

Esther Approaches the King

5On the third day, ^yEsther dressed up in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard ^zof the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. ²As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his approval. ^aThe king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. ^b