Now it came to pass on the third day, thatEsther put on her royalapparel, and stood in the innercourt of the king’shouse, overagainst the king’shouse: and the king sat upon his royalthrone in the royalhouse, overagainst the gate of the house.
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queenstanding in the court, that she obtainedfavour in his sight: and the kingheld out to Esther the goldensceptrethat was in his hand. So Estherdrewnear, and touched the top of the sceptre.
And the kingsaiduntoEsther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be grantedthee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
If I havefoundfavour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Hamancome to the banquetthat I shallprepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the kinghathsaid.
ThenwentHamanforththat day joyful and with a gladheart: but whenHaman saw Mordecai in the king’sgate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignationagainstMordecai.
And Hamantoldthem of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the thingswherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
Hamansaidmoreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the kingunto the banquetthat she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invitedunto her alsowith the king.
ThensaidZeresh his wife and all his friendsunto him, Let a gallows be made of fiftycubitshigh, and to morrowspeakthouunto the kingthatMordecai may be hangedthereon: then go thou in merrilywith the kingunto the banquet. And the thingpleasedHaman; and he caused the gallows to be made.