Esther 5

1Now 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 entrance of the house.

1On the third day, Esther dressed in her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace, facing the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, facing the entrance.

2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor 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.

2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he was pleased with her. He held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther walked forward and touched the tip of the scepter.

3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom.

3The king asked her, 'What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half of my kingdom.'

4And Esther said, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

4Esther answered, 'If it pleases the king, I would like the king and Haman to come today to a dinner that I have prepared for him.'

5Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

5The king said, 'Bring Haman quickly so we can do what Esther has asked.' So the king and Haman went to the dinner that Esther had prepared.

6And 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.

6While they were drinking wine at the dinner, the king asked Esther again, 'What is your petition? It will be granted. What is your request? I will give it to you, even up to half of the kingdom.'

7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is:

7Esther replied, 'This is my petition and my request:

8If I have found favor 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.

8If the king is pleased with me and is willing to grant my petition and request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to another dinner I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.'

9Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

9Haman left that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and noticed that Mordecai did not stand up or show any fear in his presence, Haman was filled with rage against him.

10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.

10However, Haman controlled himself and went home. Then he sent for his friends and his wife, Zeresh.

11And Haman recounted unto them 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.

11Haman boasted to them about his great wealth, his many sons, all the ways the king had honored him, and how he had been promoted above all the other officials and royal servants.

12Haman 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 also am I invited by her together with the king.

12Haman added, 'That’s not all. Queen Esther invited no one but me to come with the king to the dinner she prepared. And she has invited me to join her and the king again tomorrow.'

13Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

13'But all of this means nothing to me as long as I see that Jew, Mordecai, sitting at the king’s gate.'

14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning 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.

14Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, 'Have a gallows built seventy-five feet high. In the morning, ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then you can go to the dinner with the king and be happy.' This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows built.