² When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she found favor in his eyes, so the king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand and Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter.

³ Then said the king to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? Whatever you request, even as much as half of the kingdom, it will be given to you.”

⁴ So Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”