1   That night sleep eluded the king, so he ordered the chronicle of daily events to be brought; and it was read to him. 2   Therein was recorded that Mordecai had given information about Bigthana and Teresh, the two royal eunuchs among the keepers of the threshold who had plotted to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3   Whereupon the king said, ‘What honour or dignity has been conferred on Mordecai for this?’ The king's courtiers who were in attendance told him that nothing had been done for Mordecai. 4   The king asked, ‘Who is that in the court?’ Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to recommend to the king that Mordecai should be hanged on the gallows which he had prepared for him. 5   The king's servants answered, ‘It is Haman standing there’; and the king bade him enter. 6   He came in, and the king said to him, ‘What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to honour?’ Haman said to himself, ‘Whom would the king wish to honour more than me?’ 7   And he said to the king, ‘For the man whom the king wishes to honour, 8   let there be brought royal robes which the king himself wears, and a horse which the king rides, with a royal crown upon its head. 9   And let the robes and the horse be delivered to one of the king's most honourable officers, and let him attire the man whom the king wishes to honour and lead him mounted on the horse through the city square, calling out as he goes: “See what is done for the man whom the king wishes to honour.”’ 10   Then the king said to Haman, ‘Fetch the robes and the horse at once, as you have said, and do all this for Mordecai the Jew who is in attendance at court. Leave nothing undone of all that you have said.’ 11   So Haman took the robes and the horse, attired Mordecai, and led him mounted through the city square, calling out as he went: ‘See what is done for the man whom the king wishes to honour.’

12   Then Mordecai returned to court and Haman hurried off home mourning, with head uncovered. 13   He told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. And this was the reply of his friends ^note and his wife Zeresh: ‘If Mordecai, in face of whom your fortunes begin to fall, belongs to the Jewish race, you will not get the better of him; he will see your utter downfall.’

14   While they were still talking with Haman, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried him away to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

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