Esther Approaches the King

1(15:1) Mardocheus also bade Esther to go in vnto the king, & pray for her people, & for her countrey.(15:2) Remember, saith hee, the dayes of thy lowe estate, how thou wast nourished vnder mine hande: for Aman which is next vnto the King hath giuen sentence of death against vs.(15:3) Call thou therfore vpon the Lord, and speake for vs vnto the King, and deliuer vs from death.(15:4) And vpon the third day when she had ended her prayer, she layde away the mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparell,(15:5) And deckt herselfe goodly, after that she had called vpon God, which is the beholder and sauiour of all things, and tooke two handmaides with her.(15:6) Vpon the one she leaned herselfe, as one that was tender.(15:7) And the other followed her, and bare the traine of her vesture.(15:8) The shine of her beautie made her face rose coloured: and her face was cheerefull and amiable, but her heart was sorowfull for great feare.(15:9) Then she went in thorowe all the doores, and stoode before the King, and the King sate vpon his royal throne, and was clothed in his goodly aray, all glittering with golde and precious stones, and hee was very terrible. 2(15:10) Then he lift vp his face, that shoane with maiestie, and looked fiercely vpon her: therefore the Queene fell downe, and was pale and faint and leaned her selfe vpon the head of the mayde that went with her.(15:11) Neuerthelesse, God turned the Kings minde that he was gentle, who being carefull, leaped out of his throne, and tooke her in his armes, till she came to her selfe againe: and comforted her with louing wordes, and said,(15:12) Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheare,(15:13) Thou shalt not die: for our commaundement toucheth the commons, and not thee. Come neere.(15:14) And so hee helde vp his golden scepter, and layd it vpon her necke,(15:15) And kissed her, and said, Talke with me.(15:16) Then said she, I saw thee, O lord, as an Angel of God, and mine heart was troubled for feare of thy maiestie.(15:17) For wonderfull art thou, O lord, and thy face is full of grace.(15:18) And as shee was thus speaking vnto him, shee fell downe againe for faintnesse.(15:19) Then the King was troubled, and all his seruants comforted her. 3Then saide the King vnto her, What wilt thou, Queene Ester? & what is thy request? it shal be euen giuen thee to the halfe of ye kingdome. 4Then saide Ester, If it please the King, let the King & Haman come this day vnto the banket, that I haue prepared for him.

5And the King sayd, Cause Haman to make haste that he may doe as Ester hath sayde. So the King and Haman came to the banket that Ester had prepared. 6And the King sayd vnto Ester at the banket of wine, What is thy petition, that it may be giuen thee? and what is thy request? it shall euen be performed vnto the halfe of the kingdome. 7Then answered Ester, and sayd, My petition and my request is, 8If I haue found fauour in the sight of the King, and if it please the King to giue me my petition, and to perfourme my request, let the King and Haman come to the banket that I shall prepare for them, and I will doe to morowe according to the Kings saying.

Haman’s Plot against Mordecai

9Then went Haman forth the same day ioyfull and with a glad heart. But when Haman sawe Mordecai in the Kings gate, that he stoode not vp, nor moued for him, then was Haman full of indignation at Mordecai. 10Neuerthelesse Haman refrayned himselfe: and when he came home, he sent, and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 11And Haman tolde them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the King had promoted him, & how that he had set him aboue the princes and seruants of the King. 12Haman sayde moreouer, Yea, Ester the Queene did let no man come in with the King to the banket that she had prepared, saue me: and to morowe am I bidden vnto her also with the King. 13But al this doth nothing auaile me, as long as I see Mordecai ye Iewe sitting at ye Kings gate. 14Then sayde Zeresh his wife and all his friends vnto him, Let them make a tree of fiftie cubites hie, and to morowe speake thou vnto the King, that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then shalt thou goe ioyfully with the King vnto the banket; the thing pleased Haman, and he caused to make the tree.