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.