Restored English Translation of Esther: Chapter 9
Today I present my Restored English Translation (RET) of Ester (Esther) chapter 9. As usual, it contains the Hebrew names,
with a glossary of them at the end. This chapter partly corresponds
with what commonly appears as “Chapter 5” in the abridged translations
in most Bibles. See Restored English Translation of Esther: Chapter 1 and The Canon of Scripture, Part 1: The Apocrypha.
Glossary
Ester – Esther
ELOHIM – God(s)
Mordekai – Mordecai
Yehudi – Jew
CHAPTER 9
1 And it was on the 3rd day, when she had ended her prayers, Ester
laid away her mourning garments, and put on her royal clothing. 2 And
being gloriously adorned, after she had called on ELOHIM, Who is the
beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her. 3 And
she leaned on one gently for support; 4 and the other followed, holding
up her train. 5 And she was radiant through the perfection of her
beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable; but her heart
was in anguish for fear. 6 Then having passed through all the doors,
she stood before the King, who sat on his royal throne, and was clothed
with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious
stones; and he was very dreadful. 7 Then lifting up his countenance,
which shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely on her. And the Queen
fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself on the head of
the maid who went before her. 8 Then ELOHIM changed the spirit of the
king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her
in his arms until she came to herself again, and comforted her with
loving words and said to her, 9 “Ester, what is the matter? I am your
brother. Be of good cheer. 10 You will not die, though our commandment
be general. Come near.” 11 And so be held up his golden sceptre, and
laid it on her neck, 12 and embraced her, and said, “Speak to me.” 13
Then said she to him, “I saw you, my master, as a messenger of ELOHIM,
and my heart was troubled for fear of your majesty. 14 For you are
wonderful, master, and your countenance is full of grace.” 15 And as she
was speaking, she fell down for faintness. 16 Then the king was
troubled, and all his servants comforted her. 17 Then the king said to
her, “What do you wish, Queen Ester? And what is your request? It will
be given to you, even to the half of the kingdom.” 18 And Ester
answered, “If it seems good to the King, let the King and Haman come
today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” 19 Then the king
said, “Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Ester has said.” So
the King and Haman came to the banquet that Ester had prepared. 20 And
the King said to Ester at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition?
And it will be granted you. And what is your request? It will be
performed, to the half of the kingdom.” 21 Then Ester answered and said,
“My petition and my request is: 22 if I have found favour in the sight
of the King, and if it please the King to grant my petition, and to
perform my request, let the King and Haman come to the banquet that I
will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.” 23
Then Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart. But when
Haman saw Mordekai in the King’s gate, that he did not stand up, nor did
he move for him, he was full of indignation against Mordekai. 24
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself. And when he came home, he sent and
called for his friends, and his wife Zeresh. 25 And Haman told them of
the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the
things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him
above the princes and servants of the king. 26 Haman said in addition,
“Yes, Ester the Queen did not let any man come in with the king to the
banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited
by her with the king. 27 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I
see Mordekai the Yehudi sitting at the king’s gate.” 28 Then his wife
Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a stake be made 50 cubits
high, and tomorrow speak to the King that Mordekai may be hanged on it.
Then you go in merrily with the King to the banquet.” And the thing
pleased Haman; and he caused the stake to be made.Glossary
Ester – Esther
ELOHIM – God(s)
Mordekai – Mordecai
Yehudi – Jew
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