Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	MODERN HEBREW BIBLE
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 ויהי ביום השלישי ותלבש אסתר מלכות ותעמד בחצר בית המלך הפנימית נכח בית המלך והמלך יושב על כסא מלכותו בבית המלכות נכח פתח הבית
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 ויהי כראות המלך את אסתר המלכה עמדת בחצר נשאה חן בעיניו ויושט המלך לאסתר את שרביט הזהב אשר בידו ותקרב אסתר ותגע בראש השרביט
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 ויאמר לה המלך מה לך אסתר המלכה ומה בקשתך עד חצי המלכות וינתן לך
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 ותאמר אסתר אם על המלך טוב יבוא המלך והמן היום אל המשתה אשר עשיתי לו
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 ויאמר המלך מהרו את המן לעשות את דבר אסתר ויבא המלך והמן אל המשתה אשר עשתה אסתר
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 ויאמר המלך לאסתר במשתה היין מה שאלתך וינתן לך ומה בקשתך עד חצי המלכות ותעש
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 ותען אסתר ותאמר שאלתי ובקשתי
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 אם מצאתי חן בעיני המלך ואם על המלך טוב לתת את שאלתי ולעשות את בקשתי יבוא המלך והמן אל המשתה אשר אעשה להם ומחר אעשה כדבר המלך
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 ויצא המן ביום ההוא שמח וטוב לב וכראות המן את מרדכי בשער המלך ולא קם ולא זע ממנו וימלא המן על מרדכי חמה
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 ויתאפק המן ויבוא אל ביתו וישלח ויבא את אהביו ואת זרש אשתו
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 ויספר להם המן את כבוד עשרו ורב בניו ואת כל אשר גדלו המלך ואת אשר נשאו על השרים ועבדי המלך
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 ויאמר המן אף לא הביאה אסתר המלכה עם המלך אל המשתה אשר עשתה כי אם אותי וגם למחר אני קרוא לה עם המלך
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 וכל זה איננו שוה לי בכל עת אשר אני ראה את מרדכי היהודי יושב בשער המלך
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 ותאמר לו זרש אשתו וכל אהביו יעשו עץ גבה חמשים אמה ובבקר אמר למלך ויתלו את מרדכי עליו ובא עם המלך אל המשתה שמח וייטב הדבר לפני המן ויעש העץ