Esther
5 And it came about on the third day+ that Esther went dressing up royally,+ after which she took her stand in the inner courtyard+ of the king’s house opposite the king’s house, while the king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house opposite the entrance of the house. 2 And it came about that, as soon as the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, she gained favor+ in his eyes, so that the king held out to Esther the golden scepter+ that was in his hand. Esther now came near and touched the top of the scepter.
3 Then the king said to her: “What do you have, O Esther the queen, and what is your request?+ To the half of the kingship+—let it even be given to you!” 4 In turn Esther said: “If to the king it does seem good, let the king with Haʹman+ come today* to the banquet+ that I have made for him.” 5 Accordingly the king said: “YOU men, have Haʹman act quickly+ on the word of Esther.” Later the king and Haʹman came to the banquet that Esther had made.
6 In time the king said to Esther during the banquet of wine: “What is your petition?+ Let it even be granted you! And what is your request? To the half of the kingship—let it even be done!” 7 To this Esther answered and said: “My petition and my request is, 8 If I have found favor in the king’s eyes+ and if to the king it does seem good to grant my petition and to act on my request, let the king and Haʹman come to the banquet that I shall hold for them [tomorrow],* and tomorrow I shall do according to the king’s word.”+
9 Consequently Haʹman went out on that day joyful+ and merry of heart; but as soon as Haʹman saw Morʹde·cai in the king’s gate+ and that he did not rise+ and did not quake on account of him,+ Haʹman was immediately filled with rage+ against Morʹde·cai. 10 However, Haʹman kept control of himself and came into his house. Then he sent and had his friends* and Zeʹresh+ his wife brought in; 11 and Haʹman proceeded to declare to them the glory of his riches+ and the large number of his sons+ and everything with which the king had magnified him and how he had exalted him over the princes and the servants of the king.+
12 And Haʹman went on to say: “What is more, Esther the queen brought in with the king to the banquet that she had made no one but me,+ and tomorrow+ also I am invited to her with the king. 13 But all this—none of it suits me* as long as I am seeing Morʹde·cai the Jew sitting in the king’s gate.” 14 At that Zeʹresh his wife and all his friends said to him: “Let them make a stake*+ fifty cubits* high. Then in the morning+ say to the king that they should hang Morʹde·cai on it.+ Then go in with the king to the banquet joyful.” So the thing seemed good+ before Haʹman, and he proceeded to have the stake made.+