Esther 5

1

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of

the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne

in the hall, facing the entrance. 

2

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her

and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.

So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3

In every province to which the edict and order of the king came,

there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing.

Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4

"If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman,

come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."

5

"Bring Haman at once," the king said, "so that we may do what Esther asks,"

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

6

As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your

petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half

the kingdom, it will be granted."

7

Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him,

including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay

into the royal treasurey for the destruction of the Jews.

8

If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my

petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow

to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question."

9

Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw

Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed

fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.

10

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together

his friends and Zeresh, his wife,

11

Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the

ways the king honored him and how he had elevated him above the other

nobles and officials.

12

"And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther

invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has

invited me along with the king tomorrow.

13

But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that

Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate."

14

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows built,

seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai

hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy."

This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.