Esther 6

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.	1 That night the king could not sleep; he called for the Record Book, or Annals, to be brought and read tohim.
2 And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:	2 They contained an account of how Mordecai had denounced Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king'seunuchs serving as Guards of the Threshold, who had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.
3 And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;	3 'And what honour and dignity', the king asked, 'was conferred on Mordecai for this?' 'Nothing has beendone for him,' the gentlemen-in-waiting replied.
4 And the other followed, bearing up her train.	4 The king then said, 'Who is outside in the antechamber?' Haman had, that very moment, entered theouter antechamber of the private apartments, to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the gal ows which hehad just put up for the purpose.
5 And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish for fear.	5 So the king's gentlemen-in-waiting replied, 'It is Haman out in the antechamber.' 'Bring him in,' the kingsaid,
6 Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was very dreadful.	6 and, as soon as Haman came in, went on to ask, 'What is the right way to treat a man whom the kingwishes to honour?' 'Whom', thought Haman, 'would the king wish to honour, if not me?'
7 Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.	7 So he replied, 'If the king wishes to honour someone,
8 Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her,	8 royal robes should be brought from the king's wardrobe, and a horse from the king's stable, sporting aroyal diadem on its head.
9 Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:	9 The robes and horse should be entrusted to one of the noblest of the king's officers-of-state, who shouldthen array the man whom the king wishes to honour and lead him on horseback through the city square,proclaiming before him: "This is the way a man shall be treated whom the king wishes to honour." '
10 Thou shalt not die, though our our commandment be general: come near.	10 'Hurry,' the king said to Haman, 'take the robes and the horse, and do everything you have just said toMordecai the Jew, who works at the Chancel ery. On no account leave out anything that you have mentioned.'
11 And so be held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,	11 So taking the robes and the horse, Haman arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through thecity square, proclaiming before him: 'This is the way a man shal be treated whom the king wishes to honour.'
12 And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.	12 After this Mordecai returned to the Chancel ery, while Haman went hurrying home in dejection andcovering his face.
13 Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.	13 He told his wife Zeresh and al his friends what had just happened. His wife Zeresh and his friendssaid, 'You are beginning to fal , and Mordecai to rise; if he is Jewish, you will never get the better of him. Withhim against you, your fal is certain.'
14 For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.	14 While they were still talking, the king's officers arrived in a hurry to escort Haman to the banquet thatEsther was giving.