Esther appears before the king
1 Ending her prayer on the third day, Esther took off her penitential
garments and put on her royal attire.
2 Radiant in appearance after invoking the all-seeing God and Savior, she
took her two maids with her,
3 and leaned gently on one of them for support,
4while the other followed carrying her train.
5 Although her heart was frozen with fear, she looked radiant in her perfect
beauty, her face depicting love and joy
6 After passing through all the doors,she found herself face to face with
the king seated on his throne, awe-inspiring in the full array of his
majesty, his robes all covered with gold and precious stones.
7 As he looked up, his face flushed with majestic anger, the queen faltered,
turned pale and leaned weakly upon the shoulder of the maid in front of her.
8 Then God changed the king��s anger to gentleness. Alarmed, he sprang from
his throne, took Esther in his arms until she had recovered and comforted
her with soothing words.
9 ��what is it,Esther?�� he said.I amyour brother. Take heart.
10 you will not die ,because our decree applies only to ordinary people.
11 come,speak to me .
12 he raised the golden scepter,touched her neck with it, then embraced her
saying. ��Speak to me��
13 Esther spoke:��My lord,I saw you like an angel of God,and I trembled with
fear.
14 for you are admirable, my lord,and your appearance is awesome althoughugh
you are full of kindness.��
15 But she fell fainting as she spoke.
16 The king was deeply distressesd,and his attendants tried to revive her.