Now it came to passon the thirdday, that Estherput on her royal apparel , and stoodin the innercourtof the king's house, over againstthe king's house: and the kingsatuponhis royalthronein the royalhouse, over againstthe gateof the house. And it wasso, when the kingsawEstherthe queenstandingin the court, that she obtainedfavorin his sight: and the kingheld outto Estherthe goldenscepterthat was in his hand. So Estherdrew near, and touchedthe topof the scepter. Then saidthe kingunto her, Whatwilt thou, queenEsther? and what is thy request? it shall be even giventhee tothe halfof the kingdom. And Estheranswered, If it seem gooduntothe king, let the kingand Hamancomethis dayuntothe banquetthatI have preparedfor him. Then the kingsaid, Cause Hamanto make haste, that he may doas Estherhath said. So the kingand Hamancametothe banquetthatEstherhad prepared. And the kingsaidunto Estherat the banquetof wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be grantedthee: and what is thy request? even tothe halfof the kingdomit shall be performed. Then answeredEsther, and said, My petitionand my request is ; IfI have foundfavorin the sightof the king, and ifit pleasethe kingto grantmy petition, and to performmy request, let the kingand Hamancometothe banquetthatI shall preparefor them, and I will dotomorrowas the kinghath said. Then went Haman forththatdayjoyfuland with a gladheart: but when HamansawMordecaiin the king's gate, that he stood not up, normovedforhim, hewas fullof indignationagainstMordecai. Nevertheless Hamanrefrained himself: and when he camehome, he sentand calledfor his friends, and Zereshhis wife. And Hamantoldthem of the gloryof his riches, and the multitudeof his children, and all the things whereinthe kinghad promotedhim, and howhe had advancedhim abovethe princesand servantsof the king. Hamansaidmoreover, Yea, Estherthe queendid let noman come inwiththe kinguntothe banquetthatshe had preparedbutmyself; and tomorrowam Iinvitedunto her alsowiththe king. Yet allthisavailethme nothing, so longas IseeMordecaithe Jewsittingat the king's gate. Then saidZereshhis wifeand allhis friendsunto him, Let a gallowsbe madeof fiftycubitshigh, and tomorrowspeakthou unto the kingthat Mordecaimay be hangedthereon: then gothou in merrilywiththe kinguntothe banquet. And the thingpleasedHaman; and he caused the gallowsto be made.