1
Now it came to pass on the thirdday, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the innercourt of the king'shouse, over against the king'shouse: and the kingsat upon his royalthrone in the royalhouse, over against the gate of the house.
2
And it was so, when the kingsawEsther the queenstanding in the court, that she obtainedfavour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the goldensceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
6
And the kingsaid 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 answeredEsther, and said, My petition and my request is;
yit'v'Q;b.W yit'lea.v r;ma{T;w reT.s,a !;[;T;w
8
If I have foundfavour 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 Hamancome to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
9
Then wentHamanforth that dayjoyful and with a gladheart: but when HamansawMordecai in the king'sgate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
11
And Hamantold 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
Hamansaid 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.
14
Then saidZeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fiftycubitshigh, and to morrowspeak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thingpleased*Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.