Ester, 15
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1. On the third day, when she ended her prayer, she took off the garments in which she had worshiped, and arrayed herself in splendid attire.
2. «Acuérdate, le mandó a decir, de cuando eras pequeña y recibías el alimento de mi mano. Porque Amán, el segundo después del rey, ha sentenciado nuestra muerte.
2. Then, majestically adorned, after invoking the aid of the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her,
3. Ora al Señor, habla al rey en favor nuestro y libranos de la muerte.»
3. leaning daintily on one,
4. Al tercer día, y una vez acabada su oración, se despojó de sus vestidos de orante y se revistió de reina.
4. while the other followed carrying her train.
5. Recobrada su espléndida belleza, invocó a Dios, que vela sobre todos y los salva, y tomando a dos siervas,
5. She was radiant with perfect beauty, and she looked happy, as if beloved, but her heart was frozen with fear.
6. se apoyó blandamente en una de ellas,
6. When she had gone through all the doors, she stood before the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in the full array of his majesty, all covered with gold and precious stones. And he was most terrifying.
7. mientras la otra la seguía alzando el ruedo del vestido.
7. Lifting his face, flushed with splendor, he looked at her in fierce anger. And the queen faltered, and turned pale and faint, and collapsed upon the head of the maid who went before her.
8. Iba ella resplandeciente, en el apogeo de su belleza, con rostro alegre como de una enamorada, aunque su corazón estaba oprimido por la angustia.
8. Then God changed the spirit of the king to gentleness, and in alarm he sprang from his throne and took her in his arms until she came to herself. And he comforted her with soothing words, and said to her,
9. Franqueando todas las puertas, llegó hasta la presencia del rey; estaba el rey sentado en el trono real, revestido de las vestiduras de las ceremonias públicas, cubierto de oro y piedras preciosas y con aspecto verdaderamente impresionante.
9. "What is it, Esther? I am your brother. Take courage;
10. Alzando su rostro, resplandeciente de gloria, lanzó una mirada tan colmada de ira que la reina se desvaneció; perdió el color y apoyó la cabeza sobre la sierva que la precedía.
10. you shall not die, for our law applies only to the people. Come near."
11. Mudó entonces Dios el corazón del rey en dulzura, angustiado se precipitó del trono y la tomó en sus brazos y en tanto ella se recobraba, le dirigía dulces palabras,
11. Then he raised the golden scepter and touched it to her neck;
12. diciendo: «¿Qué ocurre, Ester? Yo soy tu hermano, ten confianza.
12. and he embraced her, and said, "Speak to me."
13. No morirás, pues mi mandato alcanza sólo al común de las gentes.
13. And she said to him, "I saw you, my lord, like an angel of God and my heart was shaken with fear at your glory.
14. Acércate.»
14. For you are wonderful, my lord, and your countenance is full of grace."
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15. But as she was speaking, she fell fainting.
16. Ella respondió: «Te he visto, señor, como a un ángel de Dios y mi corazón se turbó ante el temor de tu gloria.
16. And the king was agitated, and all his servants sought to comfort her.
17. Porque eres admirable, señor, y tu rostro está lleno de dignidad.»
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18. Y en diciendo esto, se desmayó de nuevo.
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19. El rey se turbó,, y todos sus cortesanos se esforzaron por reanimarla.
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