And it happened on the third day, when she had finished praying, that she took off the garments of her service and clothed herself in her glory. And having become radiant, she called upon the God who watches over all, and the Saviour, and she took her two maids; on the one she leaned as though delicately, while the other followed, lifting her train. And she herself was flushed at the height of her beauty, and her face was cheerful, as if beloved, but her heart was constricted with fear. And having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king; and he was seated on the throne of his kingdom, clothed in the full robe of his splendour, all of gold and costly stones, and he was exceedingly terrifying. And raising his face, aflame with glory, he looked at her in the height of his anger; and the queen fell, and her colour changed as she fainted, and she bowed down upon the head of the maid who went before her. And God changed the spirit of the king into gentleness, and in his distress he sprang from his throne and took her up in his arms until she revived, and he comforted her with peaceable words and said to her: What is it, Esther? I am your brother; take courage, you shall not die, for our decree is a common one. Come near.
And lifting the golden rod he laid it upon her neck, and he embraced her and said: Speak to me. And she said to him: I saw you, my lord, like an angel of God, and my heart was shaken with fear at your glory; for you are wonderful, my lord, and your face is full of graces. And while she was speaking she fell down from her faintness, and the king was alarmed, and all his attendants tried to comfort her.
And Esther said: Today is a notable day for me. If then it seems good to the king, let him and Haman both come to the reception which I shall hold today.
If I have found favour before the king, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the reception which I shall hold for them; and tomorrow I will do the same.
And Zosara his wife and his friends said to him: Let a piece of wood fifty cubits high be cut for you; and at dawn speak to the king, and let Mordecai be hanged on the wood; and you go in to the reception with the king and be merry. And the saying pleased Haman, and the wood was made ready.