Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	JERUSALEM
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 Le troisième jour, lorsqu'elle eut cessé de prier, elle quitta ses vêtements de suppliante et se revêtit detoute sa splendeur.
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 Levant son sceptre d'or il le posa sur le cou d'Esther, l'embrassa et lui dit: "Parle-moi" --
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 "Qu'y a-t-il, reine Esther? Lui dit le roi. Dis-moi ce que tu désires, et, serait-ce la moitié du royaume,c'est accordé d'avance" --
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 "Plairait-il au roi, répondit Esther, de venir aujourd'hui avec Aman au banquet que je lui ai préparé"--
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 "Qu'on prévienne aussitôt Aman pour combler le souhait d'Esther", dit alors le roi. Le roi et Amanvinrent ainsi au banquet préparé par Esther
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 et, pendant le banquet, le roi redit à Esther: "Dis-moi ce que tu demandes, c'est accordé d'avance!Dis-moi ce que tu désires, serait-ce la moitié du royaume, c'est chose faite" --
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 "Ce que je demande, ce que je désire? Répondit Esther.
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 vraiment j'ai trouvé grâce aux yeux du roi, s'il lui plaît d'exaucer ma demande et de combler mondésir, que demain encore le roi vienne avec Aman au banquet que je leur donnerai et j'y exécuterai l'ordre duroi."
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 Ce jour-là Aman sortit joyeux et le coeur en fête, mais quand, à la Porte Royale, il vit Mardochée nepoint se lever devant lui ni bouger de sa place, il fut prit de colère contre lui.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Néanmoins il se contint. Revenu chez lui, il convoqua ses amis et sa femme Zéresh
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 et, longuement, devant eux, parla de son éblouissante richesse, du nombre de ses enfants, de tout cedont le roi l'avait comblé pour l'élever et l'exalter au-dessus de tous ses grands officiers et serviteurs.
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 "Ce n'est pas tout, ajouta-t-il, la reine Esther vient de m'inviter avec le roi, et moi seul, à un banquetqu'elle lui offrait, et bien plus, je suis encore invité par elle avec le roi demain.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Mais que me fait tout cela aussi longtemps que je verrai Mardochée, le Juif, siéger à la PorteRoyale" --
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 "Fais seulement dresser une potence de 50 coudées, lui répondirent sa femme, Zéresh, et ses amis;demain matin tu demanderas au roi qu'on y pende Mardochée! Tu pourras alors, tout joyeux, aller rejoindre le roiau banquet!" Ravi du conseil, Aman fit préparer la potence.