1
And it came to pass on the third day that Ester clothed herself in royal garments and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, opposite the king’s house. And the king was sitting upon his royal Throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.
2
And it came to pass, when the king saw Queen Ester standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his eyes. And the king extended toward Ester the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Ester drew near and touched the top of the scepter.
3
Then the king said to her: “What is it, Queen Ester? And what is your petition? Even to half of the Kingdom, it shall be given to you.”
4
And Ester said: “If it is good before the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the feast which I have prepared for him.”
5
Then the king said: “Hasten Haman, that we may do according to the word of Ester.” So the king and Haman came to the feast which Ester had prepared.
6
And at the feast of wine the king said to Ester: “What is your petition? It shall be given to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the Kingdom, it shall be done.”
7
Then Ester answered and said: “My petition and my request are this:
8
if I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it is good before the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast which I shall prepare for them tomorrow. And tomorrow I shall do according to the Word of the King.”
9
Then Haman went out that day joyful and good of heart. But when Haman saw Mordekhai at the king’s gate, and that he neither rose nor trembled before him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordekhai.
10
Yet Haman restrained himself and went to his house. And he sent and brought his companions and Zeresh his ishah.
11
And Haman recounted to them the glory of his wealth, the multitude of his sons, and all the ways the king had made him great and had exalted him above the rulers and servants of the king.
12
And Haman said: “Even Queen Ester brought no one with the king to the feast she prepared except me. And tomorrow also I am invited to her with the king.
13
Yet all this is worth nothing to me so long as I see Mordekhai the Yehudi sitting at the king’s gate.”
14
Then Zeresh his ishah and all his companions said to him: “Let a tree fifty cubits high be made. And in the morning speak to the king that Mordekhai may be hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” And the matter was good in the eyes of Haman. So he caused the tree to be made.