1 Now it came to pass on the third{H7992} day{H3117}, that Esther{H635} put on{H3847}{(H8799)} her royal{H4438} apparel, and stood{H5975}{(H8799)} in the inner{H6442} court{H2691} of the king's{H4428} house{H1004}, over against{H5227} the king's{H4428} house{H1004}: and the king{H4428} sat{H3427}{(H8802)} upon his royal{H4438} throne{H3678} in the royal{H4438} house{H1004}, over against{H5227} the gate{H6607} of the house{H1004}.

2 And it was so, when the king{H4428} saw{H7200}{(H8800)} Esther{H635} the queen{H4436} standing{H5975}{(H8802)} in the court{H2691}, that she obtained{H5375}{(H8804)} favour{H2580} in his sight{H5869}: and the king{H4428} held out{H3447}{(H8686)} to Esther{H635} the golden{H2091} sceptre{H8275} that was in his hand{H3027}. So Esther{H635} drew near{H7126}{(H8799)}, and touched{H5060}{(H8799)} the top{H7218} of the sceptre{H8275}.

3 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} the king{H4428} unto her, What wilt thou, queen{H4436} Esther{H635}? and what is thy request{H1246}? it shall be even given{H5414}{(H8735)} thee to the half{H2677} of the kingdom{H4438}.

4 And Esther{H635} answered{H559}{(H8799)}, If it seem good{H2895}{(H8804)} unto the king{H4428}, let the king{H4428} and Haman{H2001} come{H935}{(H8799)} this day{H3117} unto the banquet{H4960} that I have prepared{H6213}{(H8804)} for him.

5 Then the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Cause Haman{H2001} to make haste{H4116}{(H8761)}, that he may do{H6213}{(H8800)} as Esther{H635} hath said{H1697}. So the king{H4428} and Haman{H2001} came{H935}{(H8799)} to the banquet{H4960} that Esther{H635} had prepared{H6213}{(H8804)}.

6 And the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Esther{H635} at the banquet{H4960} of wine{H3196}, What is thy petition{H7596}? and it shall be granted{H5414}{(H8735)} thee: and what is thy request{H1246}? even to the half{H2677} of the kingdom{H4438} it shall be performed{H6213}{(H8735)}.

7 Then answered{H6030}{(H8799)} Esther{H635}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, My petition{H7596} and my request{H1246} is;

8 If I have found{H4672}{(H8804)} favour{H2580} in the sight{H5869} of the king{H4428}, and if it please{H2895}{(H8804)} the king{H4428} to grant{H5414}{(H8800)} my petition{H7596}, and to perform{H6213}{(H8800)} my request{H1246}, let the king{H4428} and Haman{H2001} come{H935}{(H8799)} to the banquet{H4960} that I shall prepare{H6213}{(H8799)} for them, and I will do{H6213}{(H8799)} to morrow{H4279} as the king{H4428} hath said{H1697}.

9 Then went{H3318} Haman{H2001} forth{H3318}{(H8799)} that day{H3117} joyful{H8056} and with a glad{H2896} heart{H3820}: but when Haman{H2001} saw{H7200}{(H8800)} Mordecai{H4782} in the king's{H4428} gate{H8179}, that he stood not up{H6965}{(H8804)}, nor moved{H2111}{(H8804)} for him, he{H2001} was full{H4390}{(H8735)} of indignation{H2534} against Mordecai{H4782}.

10 Nevertheless Haman{H2001} refrained{H662}{(H8691)} himself: and when he came{H935}{(H8799)} home{H1004}, he sent{H7971}{(H8799)} and called{H935}{(H8686)} for his friends{H157}{(H8802)}, and Zeresh{H2238} his wife{H802}.

11 And Haman{H2001} told{H5608}{(H8762)} them of the glory{H3519} of his riches{H6239}, and the multitude{H7230} of his children{H1121}, and all the things wherein the king{H4428} had promoted{H1431}{(H8765)} him, and how he had advanced{H5375}{(H8765)} him above the princes{H8269} and servants{H5650} of the king{H4428}.

12 Haman{H2001} said{H559}{(H8799)} moreover, Yea, Esther{H635} the queen{H4436} did let no man come in{H935}{(H8689)} with the king{H4428} unto the banquet{H4960} that she had prepared{H6213}{(H8804)} but myself; and to morrow{H4279} am I invited{H7121}{(H8803)} unto her also with the king{H4428}.

13 Yet all this availeth{H7737}{(H8802)} me nothing, so long as{H6256} I see{H7200}{(H8802)} Mordecai{H4782} the Jew{H3064} sitting{H3427}{(H8802)} at the king's{H4428} gate{H8179}.

14 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Zeresh{H2238} his wife{H802} and all his friends{H157}{(H8802)} unto him, Let a gallows{H6086} be made{H6213}{(H8799)} of fifty{H2572} cubits{H520} high{H1364}, and to morrow{H1242} speak{H559}{(H8798)} thou unto the king{H4428} that Mordecai{H4782} may be hanged{H8518}{(H8799)} thereon: then go{H935}{(H8798)} thou in merrily{H8056} with the king{H4428} unto the banquet{H4960}. And the thing{H1697} pleased{H3190}{(H8799)}{H6440} Haman{H2001}; and he caused{H6213} the gallows{H6086} to be made{H6213}{(H8799)}.