Esther

¹Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house. ²When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter. ³Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.” ⁴Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” ⁵Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. ⁶The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.” ⁷Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.