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Esther Speaks to the King

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s ·palace [L house], ·facing [in front of; across from] the king’s ·hall [quarters; L house]. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, ·facing the doorway [across from the entrance]. When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, ·he was pleased [L she obtained grace in his eyes]. He ·held out [extended] to her the gold scepter that was in his hand, so Esther ·went forward [approached; came near] and touched the ·end [tip] of it.

The king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What ·do you want to ask me [is your request]? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom.”

Esther answered, “My king, if it pleases ·you [L the king], come today with Haman to a banquet that I have prepared for ·you [L him].”

Then the king said, “·Bring [Find] Haman quickly so we may do what Esther ·asks [desires].”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now, what ·are you asking for [is your petition]? I will ·give it to you [grant it]. What is ·it you want [your request]? ·I will give you [Ask for] as much as half of my kingdom and it shall be done.”

Esther answered, “This is ·what I want [my request] and ·what I ask for [my petition]. My king, if ·you are pleased with me [L I have found favor in the king’s sight] and if it ·pleases [seems good to] you, ·give me what I ask for [grant my petition] and do what I ·want [request]. Come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will ·answer your question about what I want [do as the king says/wishes].”

Haman’s Plans Against Mordecai

Haman left the king’s ·palace [L house] that day happy and ·content [L good of heart]. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and saw that Mordecai did not ·stand up [rise] or tremble ·with fear before him [in his presence], Haman ·became very angry with [was filled with rage against] Mordecai. 10 But he ·controlled his anger [restrained himself] and went home.

Then Haman called together his friends and his wife, Zeresh. 11 He ·told [boasted/recounted to] them ·how wealthy he was [L of the glory of his riches] and how many sons he had [C ten; 9:10]. He also told them all the ways the king had ·honored [L magnified] him and how the king had ·placed him higher than [exalted him over] his ·important men [nobles] and his ·royal officers [ministers; officials]. 12 He also said, “I’m the only person Queen Esther ·invited [L caused] to come with the king to the banquet she gave. And tomorrow also the queen has asked me to be her guest with the king. 13 But all this does not ·really make me happy [satisfy me] ·when [as long as] I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 Then Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends said, “Have a ·seventy-five-foot [L fifty cubits] ·platform [gallows; pole] built, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai ·hanged [impaled] on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and be ·happy [content; joyful].” Haman ·liked [was pleased/delighted by] this suggestion, so he ordered the ·platform [gallows; pole] to be built.

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