Esther 5

1On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s house, while the king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.

2And when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she found favor in his sight, and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.

3Then the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Up to half the kingdom—it will be given to you.”

4Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5Then the king said, "Hurry, bring Haman, so that Esther's word may be done." So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6And the king said to Esther at the wine banquet, “What is your petition? It will be granted to you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be done.”

7Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request are:”

8If I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do according to the king’s word.

9Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not rise or tremble before him, Haman was filled with rage against Mordecai.

10But Haman restrained himself and went to his house. Then he sent and brought in his friends and Zeresh his wife.

11And Haman told them of the glory of his wealth, and the multitude of his sons, and all that the king had done to make him great, and how he had exalted him above the officials and servants of the king.

12Then Haman said, “Indeed, Queen Esther brought no one with the king to the banquet she prepared except me; and tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king.”

13Yet all this is worth nothing to me whenever I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet rejoicing.” The matter pleased Haman, and he made the gallows.