| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. | 1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. |
| 2And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. | 2It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. |
| 3Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” | 3"What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered. |
| 4So the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. | 4The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. |
| 5The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” And the king said, “Let him come in.” | 5His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court." "Bring him in," the king ordered. |
| 6So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” | 6When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?" |
| 7And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, | 7So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, |
| 8let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. | 8have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. |
| 9Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’ ” | 9Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'" |
| 10Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.” | 10"Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended." |
| 11So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” | 11So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" |
| 12Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. | 12Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, |
| 13When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.” | 13and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him--you will surely come to ruin!" |
| 14While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs came, and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared. | 14While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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