U-Esteri 5:1-3

Kwathi ngosuku lwesithathu, u-Esteri wagqoka ingubo yobundlovukazi, wema egcekeni lesigodlo senkosi elingaphakathi, eliqondene nendlu yenkosi. Inkosi yayihleli esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, iqondene nesango elingenela esigodlweni. Ithe ukuba inkosi ibone indlovukazi u-Esteri imi egcekeni, yaba nomusa kuyo. Yayikhomba ngentonga yegolide eyayiyiphethe ngesandla. U-Esteri waya kuyo, wathinta isihloko sentonga yobukhosi. Inkosi yathi kuye: “Kwenzenjani, ndlovukazi Esteri na? Ukhala ngani? Noma yini oyicelayo, ngisho kungaba yingxenye yombuso, uyoyinikwa.”