Esther:5

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* Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king 's palace , across from the king 's house , while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house , facing the entrance of the house . * So it was , when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court , that she found favor in his sight , and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand . Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter . * And the king said to her , "What do you wish , Queen Esther ? What is your request ? It shall be given to you--up to half the kingdom !" * So Esther answered , "If it pleases the king , let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him ." * Then the king said , "Bring Haman quickly , that he may do as Esther has said ." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared . * At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther , "What is your petition ? It shall be granted you . What is your request , up to half the kingdom ? It shall be done !" * Then Esther answered and said , "My petition and request is this : * If I have found favor in the sight of the king , and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request , then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them , and tomorrow I will do as the king has said ." * So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart ; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king 's gate , and that he did not stand or tremble before him , he was filled with indignation against Mordecai . * Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home , and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh . * Then Haman told them of his great riches , the multitude of his children , everything in which the king had promoted him , and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king . * Moreover Haman said , "Besides , Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared ; and tomorrow I am again invited by her , along with the king . * Yet all this avails me nothing , so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king 's gate ." * Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him , "Let a gallows be made , fifty cubits high , and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it ; then go merrily with the king to the banquet ." And the thing pleased Haman ; so he had the gallows made .

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