Esther 5

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 went and stood in the inner yard of the palace. It was right across from the king's own 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 yard, he was pleased with her. He held out the golden scepter in his hand toward her. Esther came close and touched the tip of it.

NoteA scepter is a fancy rod a king holds to show he is the ruler. Holding it out to Esther meant she was 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.

3The king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What do you want to ask me for? I would give you even 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, please come today to a special meal I have made for you. And please bring Haman with you."

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 asked." So the king and Haman went to the meal Esther had made.

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 asked Esther, "What do you want? I will give it to you. What are you asking for? I would give you even half of my kingdom."

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

7Esther answered, "Here is what I want to ask for.

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.

8"If the king is pleased with me, and wants to give me what I ask, then please come again tomorrow. Come with Haman to another meal I will make for you. Then I will tell the king what I want."

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 feeling happy and glad. But at the king's gate he saw Mordecai. Mordecai did not stand up or act afraid of him at all. So Haman was filled with anger at Mordecai.

NoteSitting "at the king's gate" means Mordecai had a job working for the king there.

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. He went home and sent for his friends and 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 he was and how many sons he had. He told them all the ways the king had honored him. The king had made him more important than all the other leaders 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 also said, "And that is not all. Queen Esther invited no one but me to eat with the king. Tomorrow she has invited me to come again with the king.

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

13"But none of this makes me happy. Not while 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 tall wooden pole built for hanging a man. Make it fifty cubits 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 this idea, so he had the pole built.

NoteFifty cubits is about seventy-five feet, or as tall as a seven-story building.