Esther 5

1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.

2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”

5 “Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

7 Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:

8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

9 That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,

11 Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.

12 “What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king.

13 Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.

1 ¶ Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther 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, over against the gate of the house.

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

3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4 And Esther answered, If [it seem] good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

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

6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is];

8 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 to morrow as the king hath said.

9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

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

11 And Haman told them of 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.

12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

1 And it came to pass on the third day, that Esther arrayed herself royally, and stood in the court of the king's house within the king's house. And the king sat in his royal seat in the king's house, toward the door of the house.

2 And when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she found grace in his sight. And the king stretched forth the golden scepter in his hand toward Esther. And Esther came near, and touched the point of the sceptre.

3 And the king said unto her, What is the matter with thee, Esther the queen? and what demandest thou? half the kingdom also shall be given thee.

4 And Esther said, If it please the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the feast which I have prepared.

5 And the king said, Make haste that Haman do what Esther hath said. And it came to pass, when the king and Haman were come to the banquet that Esther had prepared,

6 And the king said unto Esther, when he had drunk wine, What askest thou, Esther? It shall be given thee. And what askest thou? Even the half of the kingdom, it shall be done.

7 And Esther answered and said, My petition and my desire is this:

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to give me my petition, and to do my desire, let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them; and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9 And Haman went out that day cheerful and of good cheer. And when he saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he arose not, nor moved himself before him, he was filled with wrath against him. Mordecai.

10 But he abstained. And when he was come home, he sent and fetched his friends, and Seresh his wife.

11 And he told them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all how the king had made him so great, and that he was exalted above the princes and servants of the king.

12 And Haman said, Esther the queen hath sent no man to come with the king to the feast which she hath prepared, save me: and to morrow I am summoned unto her with the king.

13 But in all this I have no sufficiency, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14 And Seresh his wife and all his friends said unto him, Make a tree fifty cubits high, and tell the king to morrow to hang Mordecai thereon; and thou shalt come to supper with the king rejoicing. And it pleased Haman well, and he made a tree.