Esther 4:17–5:2

¹⁷So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.

Chapter 5

Esther Plans a Banquet

¹Now it came about ^aon the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood ^bin the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s ¹rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the ²throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.

²When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, ^ashe obtained favor in his sight; and ^bthe king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.