The king honours Mordecai

1That night the king could not sleep, and he got a servant to read him the records of what had happened since he had been king. 2When the servant read how Mordecai had kept Bigthana and Teresh from killing the king,6.2: Es 2.21,22. 3the king asked, “What has been done to reward Mordecai for this?”

“Nothing, Your Majesty!” the king's servants replied.

4About this time, Haman came in to ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on the tower he had built. The king saw him and asked, “Who is that man waiting in front of the throne room?”

5The king's servants answered, “Your Majesty, it is Haman.”

“Tell him to come in,” the king commanded.

6When Haman entered the room, the king asked him, “What should I do for a man I want to honour?”

Haman was sure that he was the one the king wanted to honour. 7So he replied, “Your Majesty, if you wish to honour a man, 8get someone to bring him one of your own robes and one of your own horses with a fancy head-dress. 9Tell one of your highest officials to place your robe on this man and lead him through the streets on your horse, while someone shouts, ‘This is how the king honours a man!’ ”

10The king replied, “Hurry and do just what you have said! Don't forget a thing. Get the robe and the horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is on duty at the palace gate!”

11Haman got the king's robe and put it on Mordecai. He led him through the city on the horse and shouted as he went, “This is how the king honours a man!”

12Afterwards, Mordecai returned to his duties at the palace gate, and Haman hurried home, hiding his face in shame. 13Haman told his wife and friends what had happened. Then his wife and his advisers said, “If Mordecai is a Jew, this is just the beginning of your troubles! You will end up a ruined man.” 14They were still talking, when the king's servants came and quickly took Haman to the dinner that Esther had prepared.