Esther 5

NEW JERUSALEM	BIBBIA TINTORI
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 Il terzo giorno Ester, indossate le vesti reali, si presentò nell'atrio interiore della casa del re, davanti alla camera del re. Il re stava assiso sul trono, nella sala del consiglio del palazzo, di faccia alla porta della casa.
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 Egli, appena veduta la regina Ester, che stava in piedi, e piacque agli occhi suoi, stese verso di essa lo scettro d'oro che teneva in mano. Ester, avvicinatasi, baciò la punta dello scettro.
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 Poi il re le disse: « Che vuoi, o Ester regina? Che domandi? Anche se chiedi la metà del regno, ti sarà data ».
4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'	4 Ester rispose: « Se piace al re, ti pregherei di venire oggi da me, con Aman, al convito da me preparato ».
5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'	5 Il re disse subito: « Chiamate Aman, chè obbedisca ai voleri d'Ester ». Così il re e Aman andarono al convito che la regina aveva lor preparato.
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 Il re, dopo aver bevuto molto vino, disse ad Ester: « Che vuoi dunque che ti sia dato? Che domandi? Anche se chiedi la metà del mio regno, l'otterrai ».
7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.	7 Ester gli rispose: « Ecco la mia domanda, la mia preghiera:
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 So ho trovato grazia davanti al re, se al re piace di concedermi quanto domando, di esaudire la mia preghiera, venga il re ed Aman al convito che ho loro preparato e domani aprirò al re il mio cuore ».
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 Quel giorno Aman uscì lieto e festante. Ma quando vide che Mardocheo stava seduto davanti alla porta del palazzo, e, non solo non s'era alzato per lui, ma non s'era neppur mosso, s'indignò grandemente.
10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife	10 Dissimulando l'ira se ne tornò a casa sua, e, radunati gli amici con Zares 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 mostrò loro le sue immense ricchezze, la turba dei figli, e a quanta gloria il re l'avesse innalzato sopra tutti i suoi principi e servi.
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 Poi disse: « Anche la regina Ester, al convito, non ha chiamato altri che me, e da lei desinerò col re anche domani.
13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'	13 Eppure, con tutte queste cose, mi sembra di non aver nulla, fino a tanto che vedrò quel giudeo Mardocheo seduto dinanzi 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 Gli dissero sua moglie Zares e tutti i suoi amici: « Ordina che sia preparata una gran trave alta cinquanta cubiti, e domattina di' al re di farvi appiccare Mardocheo, e così n'andrai lieto col re al convito ». Aman, essendogli piaciuta la proposta, ordinò che fosse preparata una gran trave.