Esther 5

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

2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the tip of the scepter.

3The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even 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 I have prepared for the king.”

5Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do what Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6As they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It will be granted to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be done.”

7Esther answered, “My wish and my request is this:

8If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my wish and do what I request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

9Haman went out that day happy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and Mordecai neither stood up nor trembled before him, Haman was filled with rage against Mordecai.

10Nevertheless, Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh,

11and Haman told them about the splendor of his wealth, the large number of his sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had promoted him above the officials and the king’s servants.

12Haman added, “What is more, Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the banquet she prepared. And tomorrow too I am invited by her along with the king.

13Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, fifty cubits high, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the pole set up.