Esther 5:9-14

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Haman Plans to Have Mordecai Hung

⁹ Haman went out that day happy and in good spirits, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was infuriated with Mordecai;^{(A) 10} nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Then he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh,^{(B) 11} and Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the ministers of the king.^{(C) 12} Haman added, “Even Queen Esther let no one but myself come with the king to the banquet that she prepared. Tomorrow also I am invited by her, together with the king.^{(D) 13} Yet all this does me no good so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”^{(E) 14} Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a pole fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hung on it; then go with the king to the banquet in good spirits.” This advice pleased Haman, and he had the pole made.^(F)