5 Three days later, the Queen Esther put on her royal robes and went and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, across from the king’s house. He was in the royal palace, sitting on the royal throne and facing the room’s entrance. 2 As soon as the king noticed Esther standing there in the courtyard, he was very pleased to see her. So he held out his golden scepter to her and Esther came up to the throne and touched the top of the scepter. 3 “Why have you come here, Queen Esther?” the king asked. “What do you want? Tell me, and I’ll give you anything you ask for—even half of the empire.”

4 “If it pleases your majesty,” Esther replied, “please come with Haman today to the banquet that I’ve prepared for you.”

5 The king said to his servants, “Go and get Haman” the king told his servants, “and bring him quickly so that we can do what the queen has asked us.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had had prepared for them. 6 While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now please tell me what you really want. I’ll give you anything you ask for, no matter how much it is. I truly mean what I am saying.”

7 “This is what I really want.” Esther replied. 8 “Your majesty, if you’re pleased with me and if you’re happy to give me what I want, please come with Haman to another banquet that I’ll prepare for you tomorrow and I’ll answer your question then.”