Esther Chapter 5

1Esther, venturing to appear uncalled before the king in the inner court, is graciously received, and promised the grant of her request: she inviteth the king and Haman to a banquet. 6Being encouraged by the king to name her suit, she inviteth him and Haman to another banquet the next day. 9Haman, though proud of the distinctions shewn him, repineth at and complaineth to his friends of Mordecai's neglect. 14By the advice of his wife and friends he prepareth for him a gallows.
1 Now it came to pass on 1the third day, that Esther 2put on her royal apparel, and stood in the 3inner 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.
2 And it was 1so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that 2she obtained favour in his sight: and the king 3held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 Then said the king unto her, 1What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
4 And Esther 1answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the 2banquet that I have prepared for him.
6 ¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, 1What 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.
7 Then 1answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and ato perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do 1to morrow as the king hath said.
9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day 1joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he 2stood not up, nor moved for him, he was 3full of indignation against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless Haman 1refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and acalled for his friends, and 2Zeresh his wife.
12 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 1to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
13 Yet 1all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14 ¶ Then said 1Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a agallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then 2go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and 3he caused the gallows to be made.