1
That night the Lord kept the king from sleeping, so the king ordered his private secretary to bring the official records of the empire and read them to him.
2
He read the account of how Mordecai had uncovered a plot to assassinate the king - the plot made by the two eunuchs who served as palace guards.
3
The king asked, "How have we honored and rewarded Mordecai for this?" His servants answered, "You have done nothing for him."
4
Now just as the king was inquiring about Mordecai's good deed, Haman entered the courtyard. He had come to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gallows that was now ready. "Who is that in the courtyard?" the king asked.
5
The servants answered, "It is Haman; he is waiting to see you." "Show him in," said the king.
6
So Haman came in, and the king said to him, "There is someone I wish very much to honor. What should I do for this man?" Haman thought to himself, "Now who could the king want to honor so much? Me, of course."
7
So he answered the king, "Let the royal servants bring a fine linen robe for this man - one that you yourself wear. And let them bring a horse that you yourself ride.
9
Then put that robe on the man you like so much and then have the nobleman lead him, mounted on the horse, through the city square. Have the nobleman announce as they go: "See how the king rewards a man whom he wishes to honor!' "
10
Then the king said to Haman, "Fine! Do all that for Mordecai the Jew, who holds a high position in the palace; don't leave out a thing."