Esther 4:15–5:4

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fasth for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”i

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Esther’s Request to the King

5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robesj and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’sk hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.l

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

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”