Esther 5

1Now it came to pass on the thirdH7992 dayH3117, that EstherH635 putH3847 on her royal apparel, and stoodH5975 in the innerH6442 courtH2691 of the king’sH4428 houseH1004, over against the king’sH4428 houseH1004: and the kingH4428 satH3427 upon his royal throneH3678 in the royal houseH1004, over against the entranceH6607 of the houseH1004. 2And it wasH1961 so, when the kingH4428 sawH7200 EstherH635 the queenH4436 standingH5975 in the courtH2691, that she obtained favorH2580 in his sight; and the kingH4428 held out to EstherH635 the golden sceptre that wasH1961 in his handH3027. So EstherH635 drewH7126 near, and touchedH5060 the topH7218 of the sceptre. 3Then saidH559 the kingH4428 unto her, What wilt thou, queenH4436 EstherH635? and what is thy requestH1246? it shall be givenH5414 thee even to the halfH2677 of the kingdomH4438. 4And EstherH635 saidH559, If it seem goodH2895 unto the kingH4428, let the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 comeH935 this dayH3117 unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5Then the kingH4428 saidH559, Cause HamanH2001 to makeH6213 hasteH4116, that it may be done as EstherH635 hath saidH559. So the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 cameH935 to the banquet that EstherH635 had prepared. 6And the kingH4428 saidH559 unto EstherH635 at the banquet of wineH3196, What is thy petitionH7596? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy requestH1246? even to the halfH2677 of the kingdomH4438 it shall be performed. 7Then answered EstherH635, and saidH559, My petitionH7596 and my requestH1246 is: 8If I have foundH4672 favorH2580 in the sight of the kingH4428, and if it please the kingH4428 to grant my petitionH7596, and to perform my requestH1246, let the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 comeH935 to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the kingH4428 hath said.

9Then wentH3318 HamanH2001 forthH3318 that dayH3117 joyfulH8056 and glad of heartH3820: but when HamanH2001 sawH7200 MordecaiH4782 in the king’sH4428 gateH8179, that he stoodH6965 not up nor moved for him, he was filledH4390 with wrathH2534 against MordecaiH4782. 10Nevertheless HamanH2001 refrained himself, and wentH935 home; and he sentH7971 and fetched his friendsH157 and ZereshH2238 his wifeH802. 11And HamanH2001 recountedH5608 unto them the gloryH3519 of his richesH6239, and the multitudeH7230 of his children, and all the things wherein the kingH4428 had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princesH8269 and servantsH5650 of the kingH4428. 12HamanH2001 saidH559 moreover, Yea, EstherH635 the queenH4436 did let no man comeH935 in with the kingH4428 unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow alsoH1571 am I invited by her together with the kingH4428. 13Yet all this availeth me nothingH369, so long as I seeH7200 MordecaiH4782 the JewH3064 sittingH3427 at the king’sH4428 gateH8179. 14Then saidH559 ZereshH2238 his wifeH802 and all his friendsH157 unto him, Let a gallowsH6086 be madeH6213 fiftyH2572 cubitsH520 highH1364, and in the morningH1242 speak thou unto the kingH4428 that MordecaiH4782 may be hangedH8518 thereon: then goH935 thou in merrily with the kingH4428 unto the banquet. And the thingH1697 pleased HamanH2001; and he caused the gallowsH6086 to be madeH6213.