Esther 5

1 die autem tertio induta est Hester regalibus vestimentis et stetit in atrio domus regiae quod erat interius contra basilicam regis at ille sedebat super solium in consistorio palatii contra ostium domus

Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house.

2 cumque vidisset Hester reginam stantem placuit oculis eius et extendit contra eam virgam auream quam tenebat manu quae accedens osculata est summitatem virgae eius

When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the sceptre.

3 dixitque ad eam rex quid vis Hester regina quae est petitio tua etiam si dimidiam regni partem petieris dabitur tibi

Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”

4 at illa respondit si regi placet obsecro ut venias ad me hodie et Aman tecum ad convivium quod paravi

Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5 statimque rex vocate inquit cito Aman ut Hester oboediat voluntati venerunt itaque rex et Aman ad convivium quod eis regina paraverat

Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 dixitque ei rex postquam vinum biberat abundanter quid petis ut detur tibi et pro qua re postulas etiam si dimidiam partem regni mei petieris inpetrabis

The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”

7 cui respondit Hester petitio mea et preces istae sunt

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.

8 si inveni gratiam in conspectu regis et si regi placet ut det mihi quod postulo et meam impleat petitionem veniat rex et Aman ad convivium quod paravi eis et cras regi aperiam voluntatem meam

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

9 egressus est itaque illo die Aman laetus et alacer cumque vidisset Mardocheum sedentem ante fores palatii et non solum non adsurrexisse sibi sed nec motum quidem de loco sessionis suae indignatus est valde

Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

10 et dissimulata ira reversus in domum suam convocavit ad se amicos et Zares uxorem suam

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

11 et exposuit illis magnitudinem divitiarum suarum filiorumque turbam et quanta eum gloria super omnes principes et servos suos rex elevasset

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

12 et post haec ait regina quoque Hester nullum alium vocavit cum rege ad convivium praeter me apud quam etiam cras cum rege pransurus sum

Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king.

13 et cum haec omnia habeam nihil me habere puto quamdiu videro Mardocheum Iudaeum sedentem ante fores regias

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

14 responderuntque ei Zares uxor eius et ceteri amici iube parari excelsam trabem habentem altitudinem quinquaginta cubitos et dic mane regi ut adpendatur super eam Mardocheus et sic ibis cum rege laetus ad convivium placuit ei consilium et iussit excelsam parari crucem

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.