1 N ow it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.

On the third day Esther put on her queen’s clothing and stood in the open space inside the king’s special house in front of his throne room. The king was sitting on his throne in the throne room looking toward the door of his house.

2 W hen the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.

When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the open space, she found favor in his eyes. The king held his special golden stick in his hand toward Esther. So Esther came near and touched the top of the special stick.

3 T hen the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.”

Then the king said to her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What do you ask of me? You would be given even as much as half the nation.”

4 E sther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

Esther said, “If it please the king, may the king and Haman come today to the special supper I have made ready for him.”

5 T hen the king said, “ Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

Then the king said, “Be quick to bring Haman, that we may do as Esther wants.” So the king and Haman came to the special supper that Esther had made ready.

6 A s they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, “ What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

As they drank their wine at the supper, the king said to Esther, “What is it that you want? For it will be given to you. What do you ask of me? You would be given as much as half the nation.”

7 S o Esther replied, “My petition and my request is:

So Esther answered and said, “This is what I ask of you.

8 i f I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says.” Haman’s Pride

If I have found favor in the king’s eyes, and if it please the king to give me what I ask of him, may the king and Haman come to the special supper that I will make ready for them. And tomorrow I will tell you what I want.”

9 T hen Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.

Then Haman went out that day glad and with joy in his heart. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and when he did not stand up or show any fear in front of him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.

10 H aman controlled himself, however, went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

But Haman kept himself from doing anything at that time, and went home. There he sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

11 T hen Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him above the princes and servants of the king.

Haman told them about the greatness of his riches and the number of his sons. He told them how the king had raised him to a place of honor, and how he had made him more important than the princes and the king’s servants.

12 H aman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king.

Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the special supper that she had made ready. She has asked me to come with the king tomorrow also.

13 Y et all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

Yet all of this is not enough to please me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 T hen Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “ Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Have a tower made ready for hanging him. Let it be thirteen times taller than a man. And in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with joy to the special supper with the king.” These words pleased Haman, so he had the tower built.