Esther Approaches the King 1 ULT And it happened on the third day that Esther put on royalty and stood in the inner court of the palace of the king, opposite to the house of the king. Now the king was sitting on the throne of his royalty in the palace of royalty opposite to the entrance of the palace. BSB BSB: On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
2 ULT And it happened that, as soon as the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she lifted favor in his eyes. And the king held out to Esther the scepter of gold that was in his hand, so Esther approached and touched the head of the scepter. BSB BSB: As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 ULT And the king said to her,“What is to you, Esther the queen? And what is your request? As much as half of the kingdom, and let it be given to you.” BSB BSB: “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
4 ULT And Esther said,“If it is good to the king, let the king come with Haman today to the banquet that I have made for him.” BSB BSB: “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”
5 ULT And the king said,“Bring Haman quickly in order to do the word of Esther.” And the king came with Haman to the banquet that Esther had made. BSB BSB: “Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 ULT And the king said to Esther during the banquet of wine,“What is your petition? And let it be given to you. And what is your request? As much as half of the kingdom, and let it be done.” BSB BSB: And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”
7 ULT And Esther answered and said,“My petition and my request: BSB BSB: Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:
8 ULT if I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it is good to the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king come with Haman to the banquet that I will make for them, and tomorrow I will do according to the word of the king.” BSB BSB: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Haman’s Plot against Mordecai 9 ULT And Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart. But as soon as Haman saw Mordecai at the gate of the king, that he neither rose up nor trembled from him, then Haman was filled with rage on account of Mordecai. BSB BSB: That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
10 ULT But Haman restrained himself and went to his house. Then he sent and brought his friends and Zeresh his wife. BSB BSB: Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,
11 ULT And Haman recounted to them the glory of his wealth and the multitude of his sons and all about how the king had made him great and how he had lifted him over the officials and administrators of the king. BSB BSB: Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.
12 ULT And Haman said,“In addition, Esther the queen did not bring anyone with the king to the banquet that she had made except me. And also for tomorrow, I am called by her with the king. BSB BSB: “What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king.
13 ULT But all of this is not equal for me to every time that I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the gate of the king.” BSB BSB: Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14 ULT And Zeresh his wife, with all of his friends, said to him,“Let them make a pole 50 cubits high. And in the morning speak to the king, and let them hang Mordecai on it. Then go with the king to the banquet joyful.” And the word was good before the face of Haman, and he made the pole. BSB BSB: His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.