Esther 5
1Now
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.
2And 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.
3Then 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.
4And
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.
5Then 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.
6And 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.
7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8If 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.
9Then
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.
10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends,
and Zeresh his wife.
11And 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.
12Haman
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.
13Yet
all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14Then 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.
