Esther

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

1On the third day, Esther put on her royal clothes. She stood in the inner court of the palace, facing the king's rooms. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the doorway.

2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her. He held out to her the gold scepter in his hand. So Esther came close and touched the tip of it.

NoteA scepter is a decorated rod a king holds as a sign of his power. Holding it out to someone meant they were welcome to come near.

3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

3Then the king said to her, "What do you want, Queen Esther? What are you asking for? I will give it to you, even up to half of my kingdom."

4And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

4Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a special meal I have made ready for the king."

5Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

5The king said, "Bring Haman quickly, so we can do what Esther asks." So the king and Haman came to the meal Esther had made ready.

6And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

6While they were drinking their wine, the king said to Esther, "What are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is your request? I will do it, even up to half of my kingdom."

7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

7Esther answered, "Here is what I am asking for, here is my request:

8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

8If the king is pleased with me, and if he is willing to give me what I ask, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to another meal I will make ready for them. Then I will answer the king's question."

9Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

9That day Haman went out happy and pleased with himself. But at the king's gate he saw Mordecai, who did not stand up or move out of respect for him. Haman was filled with anger at Mordecai.

10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

10Even so, Haman held his anger in and went home. He sent for his friends and for his wife Zeresh.

11And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

11Haman told them how rich and important he was, how many sons he had, and every way the king had honored him. He told how the king had lifted him above all the other officials and servants.

12Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

12Haman added, "What is more, Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the meal she made. And tomorrow I am invited again, along with the king.

NoteIn older English, "let no man come in" means she allowed no one else to come. It does not mean she stopped them at the door by force.

13Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

13But none of this makes me happy as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

14His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high. In the morning, ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the meal with the king and enjoy yourself." Haman liked the idea, so he had the gallows built.

NoteThe KJV says "fifty cubits." A cubit was about eighteen inches, so this pole was roughly seventy-five feet tall, higher than a five-story building.