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And it happened on the third day that Esther put on royal clothing and stood in the inner court of the king's house, before the king's inner house. And the king was sitting on his royal thronein the royal house, in front of the gateof the house.

And it happened, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she rose in favor in his eyes. And the king held out the golden scepter that was in his hand to Esther. And Esther drew near and touched the top of thescepter.

And the king said to her. What shall be done to you, O Queen Esther, and what is your wish? It will be given to you also, even to half of the kingdom.

And Esther answered, If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet which I have prepared for him.

And the king said, Cause Haman to hurry to do the word of Esther. And the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition, and it shall be granted to you? And what is your wish? And it will be done, to half of the kingdom.

And Esther replied and said, As to my petition and my request,

if I have found favor in the eyes 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 which I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow according to the wordof the king.