Ester, 5

1.

1. Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2. Y tomando el rey el cetro de oro, lo puso sobre el cuello de Ester, y la besó, diciendo: «Háblame.»

2. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

3. El rey le preguntó: «¿Qué sucede, reina Ester? ¿Qué deseas? Incluso la mitad del reino te será dada.»

3. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

4. Respondió Ester: «Si al rey le place, venga hoy el rey, con Amán, al banquete que le tengo preparado.»

4. And Esther answered, If [it seem] good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5. Respondió el rey: «Avisad inmediatamente a Amán para que se cumpla el deseo de Ester.» El rey y Amán fueron al banquete preparado por Ester,

5. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6. y durante el banquete, dijo el rey a Ester: «¿Qué quieres pedir?, pues se te dará. ¿Qué deseas? Hasta la mitad del reino te será concedida.»

6. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7. Ester respondió: «¿Mi petición y mi deseo?

7. Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is];

8. Si he hallado gracia a los ojos del rey, y si al rey le place escuchar mi petición y cumplir mi deseo, que vengan mañana el rey y Amán al banquete que he preparado para ellos. Y haré entonces lo que el rey me pide.»

8. If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.

9. Salió aquel día Amán contento y con alegre corazón; pero al ver a Mardoqueo en la Puerta Real, que no se levantaba, ni siquiera se movía ante él, se llenó Amán de ira contra Mardoqueo,

9. Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

10. pero se dominó, y yéndose a su casa, mandó venir a sus amigos y a su mujer Zeres,

10. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11. y les habló de su gloria y sus riquezas, de sus muchos hijos y de cómo el rey le había encumbrado, elevándole por encima de los jefes y servidores del rey.

11. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

12. Y añadió: «Más aún; la reina Ester me ha invitado a mí sólo, junto con el rey, a un banquete que ha preparado; también para mañana estoy invitado por ella, junto con el rey.

12. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

13. Pero todo esto nada significa para mí, mientras vea que el judío Mardoqueo, sigue sentado a la Puerta Real.»

13. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14. Su mujer Zeres y todos sus amigos le respondieron: «Manda preparar una horca de cincuenta codos de altura y mañana por la mañana pides al rey que cuelguen de ella a Mardoqueo; así podrás ir satisfecho al banquete con el rey.» Agradó el consejo a Amán y mandó preparar la horca.

14. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.