1And it came to be on the third day that Estĕr put on royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the sovereign’s palace, in front of the sovereign’s house, while the sovereign sat on his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.

2And it came to be, when the sovereign saw Sovereigness Estĕr standing in the court, that she found favour in his eyes, and the sovereign held out to Estĕr the golden sceptre which was in his hand. And Estĕr went near and touched the top of the sceptre.

3And the sovereign said to her, “What is it, Sovereigness Estĕr, and what is your request? Up to half my reign, and it is given to you!”

4And Estĕr answered, “If it pleases the sovereign, let the sovereign and Haman come today to the feast which I have prepared for him.”

5And the sovereign said, “Get Haman at once, to do as Estĕr has said.” Then the sovereign and Haman went to the feast which Estĕr had prepared.

6And the sovereign said to Estĕr at the feast of wine, “What is your petition? And it is given you. And what is your request? Up to half my reign, and it is done!”

7And Estĕr answered and said, “My petition and request is this:

8“If I have found favour in the eyes of the sovereign, and if it pleases the sovereign to give my petition and perform my request, then let the sovereign and Haman come to the feast which I make for them, and tomorrow I shall do according to the word of the sovereign.”

9And Haman went out that day rejoicing and with a glad heart. But when Haman saw Mordeḵai in the sovereign’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordeḵai.

10But Haman held himself in, and came to his house, and he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

11And Haman recounted to them the esteem of his wealth, and his many sons, and all in which the sovereign had promoted him, and how he had exalted him above the officials and servants of the sovereign.

12And Haman said, “Besides, Estĕr the sovereigness let no one but me come in with the sovereign to the feast which she prepared. And tomorrow too I am invited by her, along with the sovereign.

13“But all this does not suit me, as long as I see Mordeḵai the Yehuḏite sitting at the sovereign’s gate.”

14So his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a stake be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the sovereign that Mordeḵai be impaled on it. And go with the sovereign to the feast, rejoicing.” And the word pleased Haman, and he had the stake made.