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.

On the third day, Esther, dressed in her queenly attire, bravely stood in the heart of the king's palace. Across from her, the king sat majestically on his throne, his presence dominating the royal house by the entrance.

And 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.

When the king laid eyes on Queen Esther in the court, he was instantly captivated. His heart warmed towards her, and he extended his golden sceptre in her direction. Esther, moved by his gesture, stepped forward and gently touched the tip of the sceptre.

Then 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.

With a gentle voice, the king asked Queen Esther, "What do you desire, my queen? What do you seek? I promise, up to half my kingdom, it's yours."

And 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.

Esther replied, "If the king approves, I invite him and Haman to join the feast I've prepared today."

Then 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.

With urgency in his voice, the king commanded, "Hurry, Haman, do as Esther requests." So, both the king and Haman swiftly joined the feast that Esther had lovingly arranged.

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.

At the wine banquet, the king turned to Esther, his voice gentle, "What do you wish for, Esther? Speak your heart out. Your wish is my command, even if it's as big as half my kingdom."

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

Esther responded with a heartfelt plea, "My earnest appeal and my desire is this;

If 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.

If the king finds me worthy and agrees to my plea, I invite him and Haman to a feast I'll prepare. Tomorrow, I'll answer the king's question and tell him my request.

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.

That day, Haman left in high spirits, his heart filled with joy. But his happiness turned to rage when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate, who didn't stand or show any respect for him. He was seething with anger towards Mordecai.

Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

Despite his inner turmoil, Haman managed to keep his composure. Once he reached home, he sought comfort and counsel from his friends and his wife, Zeresh.

And 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.

Haman proudly shared about his vast wealth and many children. He boasted about the king's favor, elevating him above all other royal officials and servants.

Haman 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.

Haman proudly exclaimed, "Only I was invited by Queen Esther to dine with the king at her banquet. And guess what? I'm invited again tomorrow!"

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

Despite all I have, it means nothing to me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew at the king's entrance.

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.

Zeresh, his wife, and his friends suggested, "Build a gallows fifty cubits high. Tomorrow, ask the king to hang Mordecai there. Then, joyfully join the king at the feast." Haman liked this idea and ordered the gallows to be built.