Ester 5

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Et factum est die tertio, induta Esther regalibus vestimentis ste tit inatrio domus regiae, quod erat interius contra basilicam regis. At ille sedebatsuper solium suum in consistorio palatii contra ostium domus.	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.'
2 Et factum est,cum vidisset Esther reginam stantem, placuit oculis eius, et extendit contra eamvirgam auream, quam tenebat manu; quae accedens tetigit summitatem virgae eius.	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.
3 Dixitque ad eam rex: “ Quid vis, Esther regina? Quae est petitio tua?Etiamsi dimidiam partem regni petieris, dabitur tibi ”.	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.'
4 At illa respondit:“ Si regi placet, obsecro, ut venias ad me hodie et Aman tecum ad convivium,quod paravi ”.	4 'Would it please the king,' Esther replied, 'to come with Haman today to the banquet I have prepared forhim?'
5 Statimque rex: “ Vocate, inquit, cito Aman, ut fiat verbumEsther ”. Venerunt itaque rex et Aman ad convivium, quod eis regina paraverat.	5 The king said, 'Tel Haman to come at once, so that Esther may have her wish.'
6 Dixitqueei rex, postquam vinum biberat: “ Quid petis, ut detur tibi, et pro qua repostulas? Etiamsi dimidiam partem regni mei petieris, impetrabis ”.	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.'
7 Cuirespondit Esther: “ Petitio mea et preces:	7 'What do I want, what is my request?' Esther replied.
8 Si inveni in conspectu regisgratiam, et si regi placet, ut det mihi, quod postulo, et meam impleatpetitionem, veniat rex et Aman ad convivium, quod parabo eis, et cras faciamsecundum verbum regis ”.	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.'
9 Egressus est itaque illo die Aman laetus et alacer corde. Cumque vidissetMardochaeum sedentem in foribus palatii, et non solum non assurrexisse sibi, sednec motum quidem de loco sessionis suae, indignatus est valde.	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.
10 Et,dissimulata ira, reversus in domum suam convocavit ad se amicos suos et Zaresuxorem suam	10 He restrained himself, however. Returning home, he sent for his friends and Zeresh his wife
11 et exposuit illis magnitudinem divitiarum suarum filiorumqueturbam, et quanta eum gloria super omnes principes et servos suos rex elevasset.	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.
12 Et post haec ait: “ Regina quoque Esther nullum alium vocavit ad conviviumcum rege praeter me; apud quam etiam cras cum rege pransurus sum.	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.
13 Et, cumomnia haec habeam, nihil me habere puto, quamdiu videro Mardochaeum Iudaeumsedentem in foribus regis ”.	13 But what do I care about al this when al the while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting there at theChancel ery?'
14 Responderuntque ei Zares uxor eius et ceteriamici: “ Iube parari excelsam trabem habentem altitudinis quinquaginta cubitoset dic mane regi, ut appendatur super eam Mardochaeus; et sic ibis cum regelaetus ad convivium ”. Placuit ei consilium et iussit excelsam parari trabem.	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.