Bible, King James Version
Esther
Esth.5
[1] 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.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] 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.
[6] 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.
[7] Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my
request is;
[8] 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 tomorrow as the king hath
said.
[9] 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 tomorrow
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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