Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	BIBBIA CEI 2008
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 Il terzo giorno, quando ebbe finito di pregare, ella si tolse gli abiti servili e si rivestì di quelli sontuosi.
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 Alzato lo scettro d’oro, lo posò sul collo di lei, la baciò e le disse: «Parlami!».
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 Allora il re le disse: «Che cosa vuoi, Ester, e qual è la tua richiesta? Fosse pure metà del mio regno, sarà tua».
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ester rispose: «Oggi è un giorno speciale per me: se così piace al re, venga egli con Aman al banchetto che oggi io darò».
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Disse il re: «Fate venire presto Aman, per compiere quello che Ester ha detto». E ambedue vennero al banchetto di cui aveva parlato 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 Mentre si beveva, il re rivolto a Ester disse: «Che cosa c’è, regina Ester? Ti sarà concesso tutto quello che chiedi».
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Rispose: «Ecco la mia domanda e la mia richiesta:
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 se ho trovato grazia davanti al re, venga anche domani con Aman al banchetto che io darò per loro, e domani farò come ho fatto oggi».
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 Aman era uscito dal re, contento, euforico; ma quando nel cortile della reggia vide Mardocheo, il Giudeo, si adirò fortemente.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Tornato a casa sua, chiamò gli amici e Zosara, sua moglie.
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 Mostrò loro le sue ricchezze e il potere del quale il re l’aveva investito: gli aveva dato il primo posto e il governo del regno.
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 Disse Aman: «Al banchetto la regina non ha invitato altri che me insieme al re, e io sono invitato per domani.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Ma questo non mi piace, fin quando vedrò Mardocheo, il Giudeo, nel cortile della reggia».
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 Zosara, sua moglie, e gli amici gli dissero: «Fa’ preparare un palo alto cinquanta cubiti e domani mattina dì al re di farvi impiccare Mardocheo; poi tu va’ al banchetto con il re e stai allegro». La cosa piacque ad Aman, e si preparò il palo.