^1. NOW 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 [2] rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the [1] throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.

^2. When 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.

^3. Then 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.»

^4. Esther said, «If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.»

^5. Then the king said, « Bring Haman quickly that we may do [3] as Esther desires.» So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

^6. [4] As 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.»

^7. So Esther replied, «My petition and my request is:

^8. if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do [6] what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do [5] as the king says.»

^9. Then 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 [7] tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.

^10. Haman controlled himself, however, went to his house and [8] sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

^11. Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the [10] number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had [9] promoted him above the princes and servants of the king.

^12. Haman 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 [11] invited by her with the king.

^13. «Yet all of this [12] does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.»

^14. Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, « Have a [14] 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 [13] advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.