Esther 5

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, opposite the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.

On the third day, Esther put on her regalia and stood in the inner court of the royal palace opposite the king’s house. The king was sitting on his throne in the palace, opposite the entrance.

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.

When he saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she won his favor, and he held out to her the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the top of the sceptre.

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

Then the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? Whatever your request is, it will be granted, even if it is the half of the kingdom.”

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

“If it seems best to the king,” Esther said, “let the king and Haman come today to 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.

Then the king ordered, “Bring Haman quickly, so that Esther’s wish may be gratified.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 And the king said to 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.

While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Whatever your petition is, it will be granted. Your request, it will be done – even if it takes half of my kingdom.”

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

Esther answered,

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it shall 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.

“If I have won the king’s favor and if it seems best to the king to grant my petition and to accede to my request, my petition and my request are that the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will answer the king’s question as he wishes.”

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 trembled before him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

Haman went out that day joyful and elated, but when he saw Mordecai in the king’s gate and noticed that he neither stood up nor moved for him, he was furiously angry with Mordecai.

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

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home. He called together 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 in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

and recounted to them the greatness of his wealth, how many children he had, and all the ways in which the king had honored him, and how he had promoted him above the officials and the royal courtiers.

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

“What is more,” Haman said, “Queen Esther brought no one in with the king to the banquet which she had prepared except me, and tomorrow also I am invited by her along with the king.

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

Yet all this does not satisfy me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

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

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows seventy-five feet high be erected, and in the morning speak to the king and let Mordecai be hanged on it. Then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” The advice pleased Haman, and so he had the gallows erected.