Esther 5

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Die autem tertio induta est Esther regalibus vestimentis, et stetit in atrio domus regiæ, quod erat interius, contra basilicam regis : at ille sedebat super solium suum in consistorio palatii contra ostium domus.	1 [Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal garments and stood in the inner courtyard, looking toward the royal palace, while the king was seated on his royal throne in the audience chamber, facing the palace doorway.
2 Cumque vidisset Esther reginam stantem, placuit oculis ejus, et extendit contra eam virgam auream, quam tenebat manu : quæ accedens, osculata est summitatem virgæ ejus.	2 He saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, and made her welcome by extending toward her the golden staff which he held. She came up to him, and touched the top of the staff.]
3 Dixitque ad eam rex : Quid vis, Esther regina ? quæ est petitio tua ? etiam si dimidiam partem regni petieris, dabitur tibi.	3 Then the king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it is half of my kingdom, it shall be granted you."
4 At illa respondit : Si regi placet, obsecro ut venias ad me hodie, et Aman tecum, ad convivium quod paravi.	4 "If it please your majesty," Esther replied, "come today with Haman to a banquet I have prepared."
5 Statimque rex : Vocate, inquit, cito Aman ut Esther obediat voluntati. Venerunt itaque rex et Aman ad convivium, quod eis regina paraverat.	5 And the king ordered, "Have Haman make haste to fulfill the wish of Esther." So the king went with Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.
6 Dixitque ei rex, postquam vinum biberat abundanter : Quid petis ut detur tibi ? et pro qua re postulas ? etiam si dimidiam partem regni mei petieris, impetrabis.	6 During the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, "Whatever you ask for shall be granted, and whatever request you make shall be honored, even if it is for half my kingdom."
7 Cui respondit Esther : Petitio mea, et preces sunt istæ :	7 Esther replied: "This is my petition and request:
8 si inveni in conspectu regis gratiam, et si regi placet ut det mihi quod postulo, et meam impleat petitionem : veniat rex et Aman ad convivium quod paravi eis, et cras aperiam regi voluntatem meam.	8 if I have found favor with the king and if it pleases your majesty to grant my petition and honor my request, come with Haman tomorrow to a banquet which I shall prepare for you; and then I will do as you ask."
9 Egressus est itaque illo die Aman lætus et alacer. Cumque vidisset Mardochæum sedentem ante fores palatii, et non solum non assurrexisse sibi, sed nec motum quidem de loco sessionis suæ, indignatus est valde :	9 That day Haman left happy and in good spirits. But when he saw that Mordecai at the royal gate did not rise, and showed no fear of him, he was filled with anger toward him.
10 et dissimulata ira reversus in domum suam, convocavit ad se amicos suos, et Zares uxorem suam,	10 Haman restrained himself, however, and went home, where he summoned his friends and his wife Zeresh.
11 et exposuit illis magnitudinem divitiarum suarum, filiorumque turbam, et quanta eum gloria super omnes principes et servos suos rex elevasset.	11 He recounted the greatness of his riches, the large number of his sons, and just how the king had promoted him and placed him above the officials and royal servants.
12 Et post hæc ait : Regina quoque Esther nullum alium vocavit ad convivium cum rege præter me : apud quam etiam cras cum rege pransurus sum.	12 "Moreover," Haman added, "Queen Esther invited no one but me to the banquet with the king; again tomorrow I am to be her guest, with the king.
13 Et cum hæc omnia habeam, nihil me habere puto, quamdiu videro Mardochæum Judæum sedentem ante fores regias.	13 Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I continue to see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the royal gate."
14 Responderuntque ei Zares uxor ejus, et ceteri amici : Jube parari excelsam trabem, habentem altitudinis quinquaginta cubitos, et dic mane regi ut appendatur super eam Mardochæus, et sic ibis cum rege lætus ad convivium. Placuit ei consilium, et jussit excelsam parari crucem.	14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gibbet set up, fifty cubits in height, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king in good cheer." This suggestion pleased Haman, and he had the gibbet erected.