“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.” (Esther 5:1-14
AV)
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