Esther 5

1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.

1 第三天，以斯帖身穿朝服站在王宫内院，面对大殿，王在殿里正面朝宫门坐在宝座上。

2 As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

2 王见以斯帖王后站在院内，就施恩给她，向她伸出手中的金杖，以斯帖便上前摸杖头。

3 “What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

3 王问道：“以斯帖王后啊，你有什么事？你有何要求？就是半壁江山，也必赐给你！”

4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”

4 以斯帖回答说：“王若愿意，就请王今天带哈曼来赴我为王预备的宴席。”

5 “Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

5 王说：“快召哈曼来，我们好照以斯帖的话做。”于是王带着哈曼赴以斯帖预备的宴席。

6 And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”

6 席间，王对以斯帖说：“你要什么？我必赐给你。你有何要求？就是半壁江山，也必为你成全。”

7 Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:

7 以斯帖回答说：“王啊，我所要、我所求的就是，

8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

8 我若得到王的恩宠，王若愿意赐我所要所求的，就请王明天带哈曼再来赴我预备的宴席，到时我一定向王禀明。”

9 That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.

9 那天哈曼出来，心中欢喜快乐。但他看见末底改在宫门前既不起身，也不对他表示畏惧，心中十分恼火。

10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,

10 哈曼忍怒回到家中，把朋友和妻子细利斯叫来，

11 Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.

11 向他们夸耀自己的荣华富贵和儿孙满堂，以及王怎样提拔他，使他位极人臣。

12 “What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king.

12 哈曼又说：“还有，以斯帖王后只请了我随王赴她预备的宴席。她还请我明天随王赴宴。

13 Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

13 但只要我看见犹太人末底改坐在宫门口，这一切对我都毫无意义。”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.

14 他妻子细利斯和他所有的朋友对他说：“你可以叫人做一个二十二米半高的木架，明天早上求王将末底改吊在上面，然后你可以快乐地随王去赴宴。”哈曼喜欢这个提议，就叫人做了木架。