以斯帖为王和哈曼设宴

第三天,以斯帖身穿朝服进入王宫内院,面对大殿站立,王在殿里正面朝宫门坐在宝座上。 王见以斯帖王后站在院内,就施恩给她,向她伸出手中的金杖,以斯帖便上前摸杖头。 王问道:“以斯帖王后啊,你有什么事?你有何要求?就是半壁江山,也必赐给你!” 以斯帖回答说:“王若愿意,就请王今天带哈曼来赴我预备的宴席。” 王说:“快召哈曼来,我们好照以斯帖的话做。”于是王带着哈曼赴以斯帖预备的宴席。 席间,王对以斯帖说:“你要什么?我必赐给你。你有何要求?就是半壁江山,也必为你成就。” 以斯帖回答说:“王啊,我所要、我所求的就是, 我若得到王的恩宠,王若愿意赐我所要所求的,就请王明天带哈曼再来赴我预备的宴席,到时我一定向王禀明。”

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Now it came to pass on the yom hashelishi, that Ester put on her royal apparel, and stood in the pnimiyus [khatzer] of the Beis HaMelech in front of the Beis HaMelech; and HaMelech sat upon his kisse malkhut (royal throne) in the Beis Hamalkhut, facing the Petach HaBeis (Entrance of HaBeis).

And it was so, when HaMelech saw Ester HaMalkah standing in the Khatzer (Court), that she took up chen (favor, grace) in his sight, and HaMelech held out to Ester the sharvit hazahav (golden sceptre) that was in his hand. So Ester drew near, and touched the top of the sharvit (sceptre).

Then said HaMelech unto her, What wilt thou, Ester HaMalkah? And what is thy bakash (request)? It shall be given thee even to the chatzi HaMalchut (half of the kingdom).

And Ester answered, If it seem tov unto HaMelech, let HaMelech and Haman come today unto the mishteh that I have prepared for him.

Then HaMelech said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Ester hath said. So HaMelech and Haman came to the mishteh that Ester had prepared.

And HaMelech said unto Ester at the mishteh hayayin (feast), What is thy she’elah (petition)? And it shall be granted thee. And what is thy bakash (request)? Even to chatzi HaMalchut it shall be granted.

Then answered Ester, and said, My she’elah and my bakash is:

If I have found chen (favor, grace) in the sight of HaMelech, and if it is tov to HaMelech to grant my she’elah, and to perform my bakash, let HaMelech and Haman come to the mishteh that I shall prepare for them, and I will do makhar (tomorrow) as HaMelech hath said.

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