Esther 5

1 Die autem tertio induta est Esther regalibus vestimentis, et stetit in atrio domus regiae, quod erat interius, contra basilicam regis: at ille sedebat super solium suum in consistorio palatii contra ostium domus.

Now 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.

2 Cumque vidisset Esther reginam stantem, placuit oculis eius, et extendit contra eam virgam auream, quam tenebat manu: Quae accedens, osculata est summitatem virgae eius:

When 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.

3 Dixitque ad eam rex: Quid vis Esther regina? quae est petitio tua? etiam si dimidiam partem regni petieris, dabitur tibi.

Then 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.”

4 At illa respondit: Si regi placet, obsecro ut venias ad me hodie, et Aman tecum ad convivium, quod paravi.

Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5 Statimque Rex, Vocate, inquit, cito Aman ut Esther obediat voluntati. Venerunt itaque rex et Aman ad convivium, quod eis regina paraverat.

Then 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.

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.

The 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.”

7 Cui respondit Esther: Petitio mea, et preces sunt istae:

Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.

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.

If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”

9 Egressus est itaque illo die Aman laetus et alacer. Cumque vidisset Mardochaeum sedentem ante fores palatii, et non solum non assurrexisse sibi, sed nec motum quidem de loco sessionis suae, indignatus est valde:

Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

10 et dissimulata ira, reversus in domum suam, convocavit ad se amicos suos, et Zares uxorem suam:

Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.

11 et exposuit illis magnitudinem divitiarum suarum, filiorumque turbam, et quanta eum gloria super omnes principes et servos suos rex elevasset.

Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12 Et post haec ait: Regina quoque Esther nullum alium vocavit ad convivium cum rege, praeter me: apud quam etiam cras cum rege pransurus sum.

Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king.

13 Et cum haec omnia habeam, nihil me habere puto, quamdiu videro Mardochaeum Iudaeum sedentem ante fores regias.

Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 Responderuntque ei Zares uxor eius, et ceteri amici: Iube parari excelsam trabem, habentem altitudinis quinquaginta cubitos, et dic mane regi ut appendatur super eam Mardochaeus, et sic ibis cum rege laetus ad convivium. Placuit ei consilium, et iussit excelsam parari crucem.

Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.