Esther 5

1

Esther Approaches the King

On the thirdH7992 dayH3117, EstherH635 put onH3847 her royalH4438 robes and stoodH5975 in the innerH6442 courtH2691 of the palaceH1004H4428 across fromH5227 the king’sH4428 quartersH1004. The kingH4428 was sittingH3427 onH5921 his royalH4438 throneH3678 in the royalH4438 courtroomH1004, facingH5227 theH1004 entranceH6607.

2

As soon as the kingH4428 sawH7200 QueenH4436 EstherH635 standingH5975 in the courtH2691, she foundH5375 favorH2580 in his sightH5869. The kingH4428 extendedH3447 the goldH2091 scepterH8275 in his handH3027 toward EstherH635, and sheH635 approachedH7126 and touchedH5060 the tipH7218 of the scepterH8275.

3“WhatH4100 is it, QueenH4436 EstherH635?” the kingH4428 inquiredH559. “WhatH4100 is your requestH1246? Even up toH5704 halfH2677 the kingdomH4438, it will be givenH5414 to you.”

4“IfH518 it pleasesH5921 the kingH4428H2896,” EstherH635 repliedH559, “may the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 comeH935 todayH3117 toH413 the banquetH4960 I have preparedH6213 for the king.”

5“HurryH4116,” commandedH559 the kingH4428, “and bring HamanH2001, so we can doH6213 as EstherH635 has requestedH1697.”

So the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 wentH935 toH413 the banquetH4960 thatH834 EstherH635 had preparedH6213. 6And as they drankH4960 their wineH3196, the kingH4428 saidH559 to EstherH635, “WhatH4100 is your petitionH7596? It will be givenH5414 to you. WhatH4100 is your requestH1246? Even up toH5704 halfH2677 the kingdomH4438, it will be fulfilledH6213.”

7EstherH635H559 repliedH6030, “This is my petitionH7596 and my requestH1246: 8IfH518 I have foundH4672 favorH2580 in the sightH5869 of the kingH4428, and ifH518 it pleasesH5921 the kingH4428H2896 to grantH5414 my petitionH7596 and fulfillH6213 my requestH1246, may the kingH4428 and HamanH2001 comeH935 tomorrowH4279 toH413 the banquetH4960 I will prepareH6213 for them. Then I will answerH6213 the king’sH4428 questionH1697.”

Haman’s Plot against Mordecai

9ThatH1931 dayH3117 HamanH2001 went outH3318 full of joyH8056 and gladH2896 of heartH3820. At the king’sH4428 gate, howeverH8179, he sawH7200 MordecaiH4782, who did notH3808 riseH6965H3808 or tremble in fearH2111 at his presenceH4480. And HamanH2001 was filledH4390 with rageH2534 towardH5921 MordecaiH4782.

10Nevertheless, HamanH2001 restrained himselfH662 and wentH935H413 homeH1004. And calling forH7971H935 his friendsH157 and his wifeH802 ZereshH2238, 11HamanH2001 recountedH5608 to them his gloriousH3519 wealthH6239, his manyH7230 sonsH1121, andH853 all the waysH3605 the kingH4428 had honoredH1431 and promoted himH5375 overH5921 the other officialsH8269 and servantsH5650.

12“What is moreH637,” HamanH2001 addedH559, “QueenH4436 EstherH635 invitedH935 noH3808 oneH3588 butH518 meH853 to joinH5973 the kingH4428 atH413 the banquetH4960 she preparedH6213, and IH589 am invitedH7121 backH1571 tomorrowH4279 along withH5973 the kingH4428. 13Yet noneH3605H369 of thisH2088 satisfiesH7737 me asH3605 longH6256 asH834 IH589 seeH7200 MordecaiH4782 the JewH3064 sittingH3427 at the king’sH4428 gateH8179.”

14His wifeH802 ZereshH2238 and allH3605 his friendsH157 toldH559 him, “Have them buildH6213 a gallowsH6086 fiftyH2572 cubitsH520 highH1364,1 and askH559 the kingH4428 in the morningH1242 to have MordecaiH4782 hangedH8518 on itH5921. Then goH935 toH413 the banquetH4960 withH5973 the kingH4428 and enjoy yourselfH8056.”

The adviceH1697H6440 pleasedH3190 HamanH2001, and he had the gallowsH6086 constructedH6213.