1 O n the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the royal or inner court of the king’s palace opposite his. The king was sitting on his throne, facing the main entrance of the palace.

Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house.

2 A nd when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight, and he held out to the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the tip of the scepter.

So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.

3 T hen the king said to her, What will you have, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of the kingdom.

And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!”

4 A nd Esther said, If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the dinner that I have prepared for the king.

So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5 T hen the king said, Cause Haman to come quickly, that what Esther has said may be done.

Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 S o the king and Haman came to the dinner that Esther had prepared.

At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

7 A nd during the serving of wine, the king said to Esther, What is your petition? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this:

8 T hen Esther said, My petition and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the dinner that I shall prepare for them; and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.

If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” Haman’s Plot Against Mordecai

9 H aman went away that day joyful and elated in heart. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate refusing to stand up or show fear before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai.

10 N evertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. There he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

11 A nd Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the abundance of his sons, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.

12 H aman added, Yes, and today Queen Esther did not let any man come with the king to the dinner she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king.

Moreover Haman said, “Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king.

13 Y et all this benefits me nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

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

14 T hen Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king, that Mordecai may be hanged on it; then you go in merrily with the king to the dinner. And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the gallows to be made.

Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” And the thing pleased Haman; so he had the gallows made.