4 Haman had just entered the outer area of the king’s palace. {\cf2\super [21]} He had come to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the hanging post Haman had commanded to be built. \{The king heard him.\} The king said, “Who just came into the courtyard?”
4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
4 The king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman had just come into the outer court of the king's palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.
4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
4 “Who is that out in the courtyard?” the king asked. (Haman had just entered the outer courtyard of the palace. He had come to tell the king to impale Mordecai on the pole that he had set up for him.)
4 explained to me that there was a people, scattered throughout the whole world, that used strange laws, and, acting against the customs of all peoples, despised the commandments of kings and violated the harmony of all nations with their dissension.
4 And the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
“Mordecai, all the king’s leaders and all the people of the king’s provinces know this: The king has one law for any man or woman that goes to the king without being called. He must be put to death. The only way this law is not carried out is if the king puts out his gold scepter {\cf2\super [15]} to the person. If the king does that, then that person’s life will be saved. And I have not been called to go see the king for 30 days.”
On the third day, Esther put on her special robes. Then she stood in the inside area of the king’s palace. {\cf2\super [17]} That area was in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his throne {\cf2\super [18]} in the hall. He was sitting facing the place where people enter the throne room.
Then Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends had a suggestion. They said, “Tell someone to build a post to hang him on! Make it 75 feet {\cf2\super [20]} tall! Then in the morning, ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. Then just go to the party with the king and you can be happy.”
One of the eunuchs {\cf2\super [24]} that served the king was named Harbona. Harbona said, “A hanging post 75 feet {\cf2\super [25]} tall has been built near Haman’s house. Haman had it made so he could hang Mordecai on it. Mordecai is the man that helped you when he told about the evil plans to kill you.”
Every time you find work to do, do it the best you can. In the grave there is no work. There is no thinking, no knowledge, and there is no wisdom. And we are all going to that \{place of death\}.