Esther 2:7–11

7 And he †brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, fhis uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was †fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens gwere gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she hobtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her ithings for purification, with †such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and †he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 10 kEsther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, †to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.