Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	LA SACRA BIBBIA
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 "Che hai, Ester? Io sono tuo fratello. Sta' di buon animo: non morrai! Il nostro ordine è solo per la gente comune. Avvicìnati".
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 Mentre parlava, ella venne meno. Il re si turbò e tutti i ministri cercavano di rianimarla.
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 Il re le disse: "Che cosa c'è, regina Ester? Quale richiesta hai da farmi? Io ti darò fino alla metà del mio regno".
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ester rispose: "Se sembrerà bene al re, venga il re e Aman, oggi, al banchetto che ho preparato per lui".
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Il re disse: "Affrettatevi a cercare Aman, per fare quello che ha detto Ester", e il re e Aman vennero al banchetto che aveva preparato 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 vino, il re disse ad Ester: "Qual è la tua richiesta? Ti sarà concessa! Qual è il tuo desiderio? Fino alla metà del mio regno ti sarà concesso!".
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Ester rispose e disse: "La mia domanda, 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 agli occhi del re e se sembra bene al re di concedermi quanto domando e di eseguire la mia richiesta, venga il re e Aman anche domani al banchetto che io farò per essi, e io risponderò alla domanda del re".
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 quel giorno uscì tutto allegro e di buon umore, ma quando alla porta del re vide Mardocheo, che non si alzava e non si muoveva al suo passaggio, fu pieno di ira verso di lui.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Tuttavia Aman si dominò, andò a casa sua e fece chiamare i suoi fedeli e Zeres, 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 parlò loro dello splendore della sua ricchezza, dei suoi numerosi figli e di come il re lo avesse promosso, elevandolo al di sopra dei prìncipi e dei ministri del re.
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 Aggiunse ancora Aman: "La regina Ester non ha invitato che me al banchetto insieme con il re, e anche domani io sono invitato da lei con il re.
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 tutto questo mi è indifferente ogni volta che io vedo Mardocheo, l'ebreo che siede alla porta del re".
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 La moglie Zeres e i suoi fedeli gli dissero: "Si faccia un patibolo alto cinquanta cubiti e domattina parlane al re e vi si impicchi Mardocheo; va' poi contento al banchetto con il re". Piacque la cosa ad Aman e fu preparato il patibolo.