1 Now it happened ^aon the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in ^bthe inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the¹ house.  ‡

2 So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that ^ashe found favor in his sight, and ^bthe king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter.  ‡

3 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? ^aIt shall be given to you—up to half the kingdom!”  ‡