Mardoqueu é honrado e Hamã humilhado
1Aconteceu, no entanto, que naquela mesma noite o rei teve uma insónia e, como não conseguia dormir, mandou vir as crónicas do reino. 2Leram-lhe a passagem que relata como Mardoqueu denunciou a conspiração de Bigtã e Teres, os dois eunucos do rei que controlavam as entradas no palácio e que tinham conspirado para assassinar o soberano. 3“Digam-me lá”, perguntou o rei aos conselheiros, “que recompensa se deu a Mardoqueu por esse ato?”
“Nada!”, responderam-lhe. E ouviram-se passos:
4“Quem é que está no pátio exterior?”, inquiriu o rei. Era precisamente Hamã que vinha a entrar, para pedir ao rei que mandasse enforcar Mardoqueu na forca que mandara levantar.
5Os pajens do rei disseram: “É Hamã que está lá fora!” Então o rei ordenou: “Mandem-no entrar!”
6Assim que ele entrou, o rei perguntou-lhe: “Que achas que deve ser feito a um homem de quem o rei se agrade profundamente?”
Ele pensou: “De quem poderá agradar-se mais do que de mim?” 7-9E respondeu: “Tragam as vestes que o rei costuma usar e o cavalo que ele costuma montar, assim como a coroa real, e deem instruções a um dos nobres para que as vista a esse homem e o conduza pelas ruas, montado no cavalo real, proclamando à sua frente: ‘Eis a forma como o rei honra quem verdadeiramente lhe agrada!’ ”
10“Ótimo!”, concluiu o soberano. “Traz depressa as roupas reais e o meu cavalo e faz exatamente como disseste com Mardoqueu, o judeu que trabalha junto ao portão do palácio. Não alteres nada do que disseste!”
11Hamã teve então de mandar vir as roupas reais, vesti-las a Mardoqueu, colocá-lo sobre a montada real e levá-lo pelas ruas, proclamando: “Eis a forma como o rei honra quem verdadeiramente lhe agrada!” 12Depois disso, Mardoqueu voltou ao seu trabalho, mas Hamã correu para casa, profundamente humilhado.
13Quando contou à mulher e aos amigos o que acontecera, disseram-lhe: “Se Mardoqueu é judeu, nunca conseguirás nada contra ele; continuar a lutar contra ele pode ser-te fatal.” 14Enquanto discutiam o assunto, chegaram os enviados do rei para levá-lo ao banquete de Ester.
1On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.6.1 could…: Heb. the king’s sleep fled away 2And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.6.2 Bigthana: also called, Bigthan6.2 door: Heb. threshold 3And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
4¶ And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. 6So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?6.6 whom the king…: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth 7And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,6.7 whom the king…: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth 8Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:6.8 Let…: Heb. Let them bring the royal apparel6.8 which the king…: Heb. wherewith the king clotheth himself 9And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.6.9 bring…: Heb. cause him to ride 10Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.6.10 let…: Heb. suffer not a whit to fall 11Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
12¶ And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. 13And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
