Now it
came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on
her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court
of the king's house, over against the king's
house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in
the royal house, over against the gate of the
house.
02 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the
queen standing in the court, that she obtained
favour in his sight: and the king held out to
Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand.
So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the
sceptre.
03 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou,
queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall
be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
04 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the
king, let the king and Haman come this day unto
the banquet that I have prepared for him.
05 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste,
that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king
and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had
prepared.
06 And the king said 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.
07 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition
and my request is;
08 If I have found favour 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 Haman come to the banquet that I shall
prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the
king hath said.
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09 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with
a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the
king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for
him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when
he came home, he sent and called for his friends,
and Zeresh his wife.
11 And Haman told 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 Haman said 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.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I
see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends
unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits
high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that
Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in
merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the
thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to
be made.
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