 1 On the third day, Esther put on royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, across from the king's house. And the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, across from the gate of the house. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she received favor in his sight. And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand. And Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter. 3 The king said to her, What do you desire, queen Esther? And what is your wish? It will be given to you even to half of the kingdom. 4 Esther answered, If it is good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 The king said, Cause Haman to hurry so that he may do as Esther has said. And the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6 The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition that it will be granted to you? And what is your request? It will be performed even to half of the kingdom. 7 Esther said, As to my petition and my request, 8 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 to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said. 9 Haman went forth that day joyful and with a glad heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was full of fury against Mordecai. 10 But Haman held himself in. And when he came home, he called for his friends and Zeresh his wife. 11 Haman told them of the glory of his riches and his many sons and all that the king had promoted him and how he had advanced him more than the princes and servants of the king. 12 Haman said, Yes, Queen Esther let no man but me come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared. And also tomorrow I am invited to her banquet, with the king. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 14 Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Make a wooden gallows, 50 cubits high and tomorrow speak to the king that Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the wooden gallows to be made.
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