Esther 5:1-3

Good News Translation

Esther Invites the King and Haman to a Banquet

5 On the third day of her fast Esther put on her royal robes and went and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, facing the throne room. The king was inside, seated on the royal throne, facing the entrance. ² When the king saw Queen Esther standing outside, she won his favor, and he held out to her the gold scepter. She then came up and touched the tip of it. ³ “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked. “Tell me what you want, and you shall have it—even if it is half my empire.”