Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	Menge Bibel
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 Am dritten Tage, als sie zu beten aufgehört hatte, legte sie die Kleider ihres Gottesdienstes ab und legte ihre Prachtgewandung an.
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 Nachdem sie sich so herrlich geschmückt und den alles erschauenden Gott und Retter angerufen hatte, nahm sie die beiden Zofen zu sich,
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 auf deren eine sie sich stützte als eine vornehme Frau,
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 während die andere hinter ihr herging und ihr die Schleppe trug.
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Und sie selbst strahlte im vollen Glanz ihrer Schönheit, und ihr Antlitz war heiter und liebreizend, aber ihr Herz war beklommen vor Angst.
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 Nachdem sie nun alle Türen durchschritten hatte, trat sie vor den König. Dieser saß auf dem Throne seines Königreiches und war mit seiner ganzen Prachtgewandung angetan, ging mit Gold und Edelsteinen bedeckt und furchterweckend anzusehen.
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Als nun der König sein von Hoheit strahlendes Angesicht erhob, blickte er sie mit dem höchsten Zorn an. Da fiel die Königin zu Boden, verfärbte sich infolge einer Ohnmacht und lehnte sich auf den Kopf der Zofe, die vor ihr her ging.
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 Da wandelte Gott den Sinn des Königs zur Sanftmut um; von Angst befallen, sprang er von seinem Thron herab und nahm sie in seine Arme, bis sie wieder zu sich kam. Dabei redete er ihr freundlich zu mit den Worten:
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 »Was ist dir, Esther? Ich bin dein Bruder; fasse Mut: du sollst nicht sterben!
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Unsere Verordnung gilt ja nur im allgemeinen; komm her!«
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 Hierauf erhob er seinen goldenen Stab, legte ihn ihr auf den Nacken, umarmte sie und sagte: »Sprich dich gegen mich aus!«
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 Da sagte sie zu ihm: »Als ich dich erblickte, o Herr, warst du mir wie ein Engel Gottes, und mein Herz erschrak aus Furcht vor deiner Herrlichkeit; denn du bist bewundernswert, o Herr, und dein Angesicht ist voller Anmut!«
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Während sie aber so redete, fiel sie aufs neue ohnmächtig nieder.
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 Der König geriet in Aufregung, und seine ganze Dienerschaft sprach ihr zu.