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, 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 * .
