⁴ For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated.^(A) If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.^[a]”

⁵ King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

⁶ Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. ⁷ The king got up in a rage,^(B) left his wine and went out into the palace garden.^(C) But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate,^(D) stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

⁸ Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch^(E) where Esther was reclining.^(F)

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”^(G)

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.^{(H) 9} Then Harbona,^(I) one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits^[b](J) stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!”^{(K) 10} So they impaled^(L) Haman^(M) on the pole^(N) he had set up for Mordecai.^(O) Then the king’s fury subsided.^(P)

³ Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite,^(A) which he had devised against the Jews.

¹³ “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons^(A) be impaled^(B) on poles.”

¹⁴ So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled^(A) the ten sons of Haman.