Esther 5

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.	1 (a) On the third day, when she had finished praying, she took off her suppliant's mourning attire anddressed herself in her ful splendour. Radiant as she then appeared, she invoked God who watches over alpeople and saves them. With her, she took two ladies-in-waiting. With a delicate air she leaned on one, while theother accompanied her carrying her train. (b) Rosy with the full flush of her beauty, her face radiated joy andlove: but her heart shrank with fear. (c) Having passed through door after door, she found herself in the presenceof the king. He was sitting on his royal throne, dressed in al his robes of state, glittering with gold and preciousstones -- a formidable sight. (d) He looked up, afire with majesty and, blazing with anger, saw her. The queensank to the floor. As she fainted, the colour drained from her face and her head fel against the lady-in-waitingbeside her. (e) But God changed the king's heart, inducing a milder spirit. He sprang from his throne in alarmand took her in his arms until she recovered, comforting her with soothing words. (f) 'What is the matter, Esther?'he said. 'I am your brother. Take heart, you are not going to die; our order applies only to ordinary people. Cometo me.' (g) And raising his golden sceptre he laid it on Esther's neck, embraced her and said, 'Speak to me.'
2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.	2 (a) 'Sire,' she said, 'to me you looked like one of God's angels, and my heart was moved with fear ofyour majesty. For you are a figure of wonder, my lord, and your face is ful of graciousness.' (b) But as she spokeshe fel down in a faint. The king grew more agitated, and his courtiers al set about reviving her.
3 And she prayed unto the Lord God of Israel, saying, O my Lord, thou only art our King: help me, desolate woman, which have no helper but thee:	3 'What is the matter, Queen Esther?' the king said. 'Tel me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom, Igrant it you.'
4 For my danger is in mine hand.	4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'
5 From my youth up I have heard in the tribe of my family that thou, O Lord, tookest Israel from among all people, and our fathers from all their predecessors, for a perpetual inheritance, and thou hast performed whatsoever thou didst promise them.	5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'
6 And now we have sinned before thee: therefore hast thou given us into the hands of our enemies,	6 So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared and, during the banquet, the kingagain said to Esther, 'Tel me your request; I grant it to you. Tell me what you want; even if it is half my kingdom,it is yours for the asking.'
7 Because we worshipped their gods: O Lord, thou art righteous.	7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.
8 Nevertheless it satisfieth them not, that we are in bitter captivity: but they have stricken hands with their idols,	8 'If I have found favour in the king's eyes, and if it is his pleasure to grant what I ask and to agree to myrequest, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I intend to give them tomorrow, and then I shall do as theking says.'
9 That they will abolish the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordained, and destroy thine inheritance, and stop the mouth of them that praise thee, and quench the glory of thy house, and of thine altar,	9 Haman left full of joy and high spirits that day; but when he saw Mordecai at the Chancel ery, neitherstanding up nor stirring at his approach, he felt a gust of anger.
10 And open the mouths of the heathen to set forth the praises of the idols, and to magnify a fleshly king for ever.	10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife
11 O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto them that be nothing, and let them not laugh at our fall; but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, that hath begun this against us.	11 and held forth to them about his dazzling wealth, his many children, how the king had raised him to aposition of honour and promoted him over the heads of the king's officers-of-state and ministers.
12 Remember, O Lord, make thyself known in time of our affliction, and give me boldness, O King of the nations, and Lord of all power.	12 'What is more,' he added, 'Queen Esther has just invited me and the king -- no one else except me -- toa banquet she was giving, and better stil she has invited me and the king again tomorrow.
13 Give me eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion: turn his heart to hate him that fighteth against us, that there may be an end of him, and of all that are likeminded to him:	13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'
14 But deliver us with thine hand, and help me that am desolate, and which have no other help but thee.	14 'Have a fifty-cubit gal ows run up,' said Zeresh his wife and all his friends, 'and in the morning ask theking to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then you can go with the king to the banquet, without a care in the world!'Delighted with this advice, Haman had the gallows erected.