As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she gained favor with him. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.(A)

“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked her. “Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you.”(B)

“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet(C) I have prepared for them.”

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