The king’s attendants said to him, “It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Let him enter.”

Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.

“All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court – that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!”