Esther 5 On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace in front of the king's quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the building.

VIN⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace in front of the king's quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the building. ² When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his favor, and the king extended to Esther the gold scepter that he was holding. Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. ³ The king asked her, "What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it's half of the kingdom, it will be given to you." ⁴ Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I've prepared for him." ⁵ The king responded, "Bring Haman quickly so we may do what Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. ⁶ While they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, "What's your petition? It will be given to you. What's your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be done." ⁷ And Esther answered: My petition and request is this: ⁸ If I've found favor with the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I'll prepare for them tomorrow, and then I'll do what the king has said." ⁹ Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home, and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. ¹¹ And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his many sons, and all to which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 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 in all this am I not satisfied as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." ¹⁴ Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said, "Have a pole made 75 feet high, and then in the morning speak to the king and have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet happy." This advice pleased Haman, and he had the pole made.