Chapter 5
1 Now on the third day , Esther put on her royal clothing and stood in the inner court of the king ’s house , next to the king ’s house . The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house , next to the entrance of the house .
2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court , she obtained favor in his sight ; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand . So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter .
3 Then the king asked her , " What would you like , queen Esther? What is your request ? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom ."
4 Esther said, "If it seems good to the king , let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him ."
5 Then the king said , " Bring Haman quickly , so that it may be done as Esther has said ." So 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 ? It shall be granted you . What is your request ? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed ."
7 Then Esther answered and said , " My petition and my request is this.
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 Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart , but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king ’s gate , that he didn’t stand up nor move for him , he was filled with wrath against Mordecai .
10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home . There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
11 Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches , the multitude of his children , all the things in which the king had promoted him , and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king .
12 Haman also said , " Yes , Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself ; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king .
13 Yet all this avails me nothing , so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king ’s gate ."
14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him , " Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high , and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it . Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet ." This pleased Haman , so he had the gallows made .