Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	SAGRADA BIBLIA
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 Três dias depois Ester se revestiu de seus trajes reais e se apresentou na câmara interior do palácio, diante do aposento real, onde estava o rei sentado sobre seu trono, diante da porta de entrada do edifício.
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 Logo que o rei viu a rainha Ester no átrio, esta conquistou suas boas graças, de sorte que ele estendeu o cetro de ouro que tinha na mão. E Ester se aproximou para tocá-lo.
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 O rei lhe disse: Que tens, rainha Ester e que queres? Mesmo a metade de meu reino eu te daria.
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Se parecer bem ao rei, respondeu ela, venha hoje com Amã ao banquete que lhe preparo.
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 O rei disse então: Apressai-vos em fazer vir Amã para atender ao desejo de Ester. O rei foi, pois, com Amã ao banquete que Ester tinha preparado.
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 Enquanto se bebia o vinho, o rei disse à rainha: Qual é o teu pedido? Ser-te-á concedido. Que desejas? Mesmo que fosse a metade de meu reino, a receberias.
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Eis, respondeu, meu pedido e meu desejo:
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 achei graça aos olhos do rei, e se lhe agrada aceder ao meu pedido e cumprir o meu desejo, que o rei e Amã tornem a vir ao banquete que lhes mandarei preparar. Amanhã eu responderei à pergunta do rei.
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 Amã voltou naquele dia gozoso e alegre de coração. Mas à vista de Mardoqueu que, diante da porta do rei, não se levantava nem se movia à sua passagem, encheu-se de furor contra o judeu.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Soube, entretanto, conter-se e retirou-se para casa. Então, mandou buscar os seus amigos e Zarés, sua mulher, e
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 lhes falou do esplendor de suas riquezas, do número de seus filhos, de tudo o que tinha feito o rei para exaltá-lo e do lugar que lhe tinha conferido sobre todos os príncipes e todo o pessoal real.
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 Além disso, acrescentou, fui o único que a rainha Ester admitiu com o rei ao banquete que ela deu e sou ainda convidado para amanhã, com o rei.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Mas tudo isso o tenho por nada, enquanto vir esse judeu Mardoqueu na antecâmara do rei.
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 Zarés, sua mulher, e todos os seus amigos lhe disseram: Não há mais que preparar uma forca de cinqüenta côvados de altura. E amanhã cedo pede ao rei que nela seja suspenso Mardoqueu. Depois irás satisfeito ao banquete com o rei. Isso agradou a Amã, e este mandou levantar a forca.