1Now 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
6¶ And 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. 7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 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.5.8 perform: Heb. do
9¶ Then 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. 10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.5.10 called…: Heb. caused to come 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. 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. 13Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
14¶ Then 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.5.14 gallows: Heb. tree
以斯帖为王和哈曼设宴
1第三天，以斯帖身穿朝服进入王宫内院，面对大殿站立，王在殿里正面朝宫门坐在宝座上。 2王见以斯帖王后站在院内，就施恩给她，向她伸出手中的金杖，以斯帖便上前摸杖头。 3王问道：“以斯帖王后啊，你有什么事？你有何要求？就是半壁江山，也必赐给你！” 4以斯帖回答说：“王若愿意，就请王今天带哈曼来赴我预备的宴席。” 5王说：“快召哈曼来，我们好照以斯帖的话做。”于是王带着哈曼赴以斯帖预备的宴席。 6席间，王对以斯帖说：“你要什么？我必赐给你。你有何要求？就是半壁江山，也必为你成就。” 7以斯帖回答说：“王啊，我所要、我所求的就是， 8我若得到王的恩宠，王若愿意赐我所要所求的，就请王明天带哈曼再来赴我预备的宴席，到时我一定向王禀明。”
哈曼图谋杀末底改
9那天哈曼出来，心中欢喜快乐。但他看见末底改在宫门前既不起身，也不对他表示畏惧，心中十分恼火。 10哈曼忍怒回到家中，把朋友和妻子细利斯叫来， 11向他们夸耀自己的荣华富贵和儿孙满堂，以及王怎样擢升他，使他位极人臣。 12哈曼又说：“还有，以斯帖王后只请了我随王赴她预备的宴席。她还请我明天随王赴宴。 13但只要我看见犹太人末底改坐在宫门口，这一切对我都毫无意义。” 14他妻子细利斯和他所有的朋友对他说：“你可以叫人做一个二十三米高的木架，明天早上求王将末底改吊在上面，然后你可以快乐地随王去赴宴。”哈曼喜欢这个提议，就叫人做了木架。
