| Chapter 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. |
