1
Ikawa siku ya tatu Esta alijivika mavazi yake ya kifalme, akasimama katika ua wa ndani wa nyumba ya mfalme, kuielekea nyumba ya mfalme; naye mfalme akaketi juu ya kiti chake cha enzi katika nyumba ya mfalme, kuuelekea mlango wa nyumba.
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
2
Ikawa, mfalme alipomwona malkia Esta amesimama uani, yeye akapata kibali machoni pake; naye mfalme akamnyoshea Esta fimbo ya dhahabu aliyokuwa nayo mkononi. Basi Esta akakaribia, akaigusa ncha ya fimbo.
As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3
Mfalme akamwambia, Malkia Esta, wataka nini? Nayo ni haja gani uliyo nayo? Utapewa hata nusu ya ufalme.
“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
4
Esta akasema, Mfalme akiona vema, na aje leo, mfalme na Hamani, kwenye karamu niliyomwandalia.
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”
5
Basi mfalme akasema, Mhimize Hamani, ili ifanyike kama Esta alivyosema. Hivyo mfalme na Hamani wakafika katika karamu ile aliyoiandaa Esta.
“Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6
Basi mfalme akamwambia Esta pale penye karamu ya divai, Dua yako ni nini? Nawe utapewa; na haja yako ni nini? Hata nusu ya ufalme utafanyiziwa.
And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”
7
Esta akajibu, na kusema, Dua yangu ni hii, na haja yangu ni hii,
Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:
8
Ikiwa nimepata kibali machoni pa mfalme, na mfalme akiona vema kunipa niombalo, na kunifanyizia haja yangu, na aje tena mfalme na Hamani kwenye karamu nitakayowaandalia, nami kesho nitafanya kama vile mfalme alivyosema.
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
9
Basi Hamani alitoka siku ile kwa furaha na ukunjufu wa moyo; lakini Hamani alipomwona Mordekai mlangoni pa mfalme, ya kwamba hasimami wala kutetemeka mbele yake, alijaa ghadhabu juu ya Mordekai.
That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
10
Walakini Hamani akajizuia, akaenda zake nyumbani kwake; akatuma kuwaita rafiki zake na Zereshi mkewe.
Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,
11
Naye Hamani akawasimulia habari za fahari ya mali zake, na wingi wa watoto wake, nayo mambo yote pia ambayo mfalme amemfanikisha katika hayo, na jinsi alivyompandisha juu ya maakida na watumishi wa mfalme.
Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.
12
Zaidi ya hayo Hamani akasema, Naye malkia Esta hakumkaribisha mtu ye yote pamoja na mfalme katika karamu aliyoiandaa, ila mimi peke yangu; hata na kesho pia nimealikwa naye pamoja na mfalme.
“What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king.
13
Bali haya yote yanifaa nini, pindi nimwonapo yule Mordekai, Myahudi, ameketi mlangoni pa mfalme?
Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14
Basi Zereshi mkewe akamwambia, na rafiki zake wote, Na ufanyizwe mti wa mikono hamsini urefu wake, na kesho asubuhi useme na mfalme ili Mordekai atundikwe juu yake; ndipo utakapoingia kwa kicheko pamoja na mfalme karamuni. Basi neno likampendeza Hamani, akaufanyiza ule mti.
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.