Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
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.'	1 Al tercer día, Ester se puso sus vestiduras reales y llegó hasta el patio interior del palacio, frente a la sala del rey. El rey estaba sentado en su trono, en la sala real, frente a la puerta de entrada.
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.	2 Al ver a la reina Ester, que estaba de pie en el patio, el rey la miró con benevolencia y extendió hacia ella el cetro de oro que tenía en la mano. Entonces Ester se acercó y tocó la punta del cetro.
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.'	3 El rey dijo a Ester: «¿Qué tienes, reina Ester? ¿Qué es lo que quieres? ¡Incluso la mitad de mi reino te será concedida!».
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ester respondió: «Si al rey le parece bien, venga hoy con Amán al banquete que he preparado en su honor».
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Entonces el rey ordenó: «¡Avisen inmediatamente a Amán que acepte la invitación de Ester!». El rey fue con Amán al banquete preparado por Ester
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.'	6 y, en el momento de brindar, le dijo: «¿Qué es lo que pides, Ester? Lo que sea, te será concedido. ¿Qué es lo que quieres? Aunque sea la mitad de mi reino, lo tendrás».
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Ester respondió: «¿Sabes cuál es mi petición y mi deseo?
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.'	8 Si el rey me ha concedido su favor, y si a él le parece bien acceder a mi pedido y complacer mi deseo, que venga con Amán al banquete que les voy a preparar, y mañana responderé a la pregunta del rey».
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.	9 Amán había salido aquel día contento y de buen humor. Pero al ver en la puerta real a Mardoqueo, que no se levantaba ni temblaba ante él, se llenó de furor.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Sin embargo, se contuvo y se fue a su casa. Luego mandó buscar a sus amigos y a Zeres, su mujer,
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.	11 y les estuvo hablando del esplendor de sus riquezas, de sus muchos hijos y de lo que el rey había hecho para engrandecerlo, elevándolo por encima de los demás ministros y servidores de la corte.
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.	12 Luego Amán añadió: «Además, la reina Ester preparó un banquete y me invitó a mí solo junto con el rey. Y también mañana seré su invitado en compañía del rey.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Pero todo esto no significa nada para mí, mientras vea a ese judío Mardoqueo sentado en la puerta real».
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.	14 Entonces Zeres, su mujer, y todos sus amigos le dijeron: «Que hagan levantar un patíbulo de veinticinco metros, y mañana por la mañana le dirás al rey que cuelguen allí a Mardoqueo. Así irás contento al banquete con el rey». La propuesta agradó a Amán e hizo levantar el patíbulo.