Esther 5 · אסתר

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Ester put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the gate of the house.

And so it was, that when the king saw Ester the queen standing in the court, she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Ester the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Ester drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

Then the king said to her, What is thy wish, queen Ester? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to half the kingdom.

And Ester answered, If it seem good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.

Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Ester has said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Ester had prepared.

And the king said to Ester during the wine drinking, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to half the kingdom it shall be performed.

Then Ester answered, and said, My petition and my request is –

if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.

Then Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordokhay in the king’s gate, that he did not stand or stir for him, he was full of indignation against Mordokhay.

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

And Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

Haman said moreover, Even Ester the queen let no one come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow also I am invited to her with the king.

Yet all this avails me nothing, as long as I see Mordokhay the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak to the king that Mordokhay may be hanged on it: then go in cheerfully with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.