Esther 5

1. Now it came to pass on the third day, Esther put on royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s hall. And the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal hall, facing the entrance of the hall.

2. And it was so that when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she received favor in his sight. And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand. And Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter.

3. And the king said to her, “What do you desire, Queen Esther? And what is your wish? It shall be given to you even to half of the kingdom.”

4. And Esther answered, “If it is good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet which I have prepared for him.”

5. And the king said, “Cause Haman to hurry so that he may do as Esther has said.” And the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

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

7. And Esther answered and said, “As to my petition and my request,

8. If I have found favor 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 which I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”

9. And Haman went forth that day joyful and with a glad heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was full of fury against Mordecai.

10. But 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 his many children, and all things to which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12. And Haman said, “Yea, Esther the queen let no other man but me come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared. And also tomorrow I am invited to her banquet, with the king.

13. Yet all this fails to satisfy me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14. And Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Make a gallows, fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak to the king that Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the wooden gallows to be made.