Esther 5 It was on the third day that Esther put on royal clothing and took her stand in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house, while the king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, over against the portal of the house.

CLV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ It was on the third day that Esther put on royal clothing and took her stand in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house, while the king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, over against the portal of the house. ² It came to be, as the king saw queen Esther standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his eyes, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. ³ Then the king said to her:What have you to say, queen Esther? What is your urgent appeal? Even unto half of the kingship, it shall be granted to you. ⁴ Esther replied:If it seems good to the king, let the king come today with Haman to the banquet that I have prepared for him. ⁵ The king commanded:Bring Haman quickly to act at the word of Esther. So the king came with Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared. ⁶ At the wine feast, the king said to Esther:What is your request? It shall be granted to you. What is your urgent appeal? Unto half of the kingship, it shall be granted to you. ⁷ Esther answered and said:My request and my urgent appeal is: ⁸ If I have found favor in the king's eyes, and if it seems good to the king, to grant my request and to attend to my urgent appeal, let the king come tomorrow with Haman to the banquet that I shall prepare for them; and tomorrow I shall comply with the word of the king. ⁹ On that day Haman went forth rejoicing and cheerful of heart. When Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gateway that he did not rise and did not even stir because of him, then Haman was filled with fury against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Yet Haman checked himself and came to his house; he sent word and let his male friends and his wife Zeresh come. ¹¹ Haman related to them the glory of his riches, his many sons and all about how the king had magnified him and how he had advanced him above all the king's chief officials and courtiers. ¹² Haman added:Indeed, queen Esther let no one save me come with the king to the banquet that she gave; and also tomorrow I am invited to her with the king. ¹³ But all of this, it is no compensation for me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting in the king's gateway. ¹⁴ So his wife Zeresh with all his male friends advised him:Let them build a lofty gallows of fifty cubits, and in the morning ask the king that they should hang Mordecai on it. Then set out with the king to the banquet rejoicing. The plan seemed good before Haman, and he had the gallows built.