³ He held a feast^(A) in the third year of his reign for all his officials and staff, the army of Persia and Media,^(B) the nobles,^(C) and the officials from the provinces.

⁵ At the end of this time, the king held a week-long banquet^(A) in the garden courtyard^(B) of the royal palace^(C) for all the people, from the greatest to the least,^(D) who were present in the fortress of Susa.^(E)

¹⁸ The king held a great banquet for all his officials and staff.^(A) It was Esther’s banquet. He freed his provinces from tax payments and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.^(B)