1   On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, facing the palace itself; the king was seated on his royal throne in the palace, facing the entrance. 2   When the king caught sight of Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favour and he stretched out to her the golden sceptre which he was holding. Thereupon Esther approached and touched the head of the sceptre. 3   Then the king said to her, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? Whatever you ask of me, up to half my kingdom, shall be given to you.’ 4   ‘If it please your majesty,’ said Esther, ‘will you come today, sire, and Haman with you, to a banquet which I have made ready for you?’ 5   The king gave orders that Haman should be fetched quickly, so that Esther's wish might be fulfilled; and the king and Haman went to the banquet which she had prepared. 6   Over the wine the king said to Esther, ‘Whatever you ask of me shall be given to you. Whatever you request of me, up to half my kingdom, it shall be done.’ 7   Esther said in answer, ‘What I ask and request of you is this. 8   If I have won your majesty's favour, and if it please you, sire, to give me what I ask and to grant my request, will your majesty and Haman come tomorrow ^note to the banquet which I shall prepare for you both? Tomorrow I will do as your majesty has said.’

9   So Haman went away that day in good spirits and well pleased with himself. But when he saw Mordecai in attendance at court and how he did not rise nor defer to him, he was filled with rage; 10   but he kept control of himself and went home. Then he sent for his friends and his 11   wife Zeresh and held forth to them about the splendour of his wealth and his many sons, and how the king had promoted him and advanced him above the other officers and courtiers. 12   ‘That is not all,’ said Haman; ‘Queen Esther invited no one but myself to accompany the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and she has invited me again tomorrow with the king. 13   Yet all this means nothing to me so long as I see that Jew Mordecai in attendance at court.’ 14   Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Let a gallows seventy-five feet ^note high be set up, and recommend to the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go with the king to the banquet in good spirits.’ Haman thought this an excellent plan, and he set up the gallows.

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