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第172章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第172章

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if he would come again; together with Haman; to her banquet。

10。 Now when the king had promised so to do; Haman went away very
glad; because he alone had the honor of supping with the king at
Esther's banquet; and because no one else partook of the same
honor with kings but himself; yet when he saw Mordecai in the
court; he was very much displeased; for he paid him no manner of
respect when he saw him。 So he went home and called for his wife
Zeresh; and his friends; and when they were come; he showed them
what honor he enjoyed not only from the king; but from the queen
also; for as he alone had that day supped with her; together with
the king; so was he also invited again for the next day; yet;〃
said he; 〃am I not pleased to see Mordecai the Jew in the court。〃
Hereupon his wife Zeresh advised him to give order that a gallows
should be made fifty cubits high; and that in the morning he
should ask it of the king that Mordecai might be hanged thereon。
So he commended her advice; and gave order to his servants to
prepare the gallows; and to place it in the court; for the
punishment of Mordecai thereon; which was accordingly prepared。
But God laughed to scorn the wicked expectations of Haman; and as
he knew what the event would be; he was delighted at it; for that
night he took away the king's sleep; and as the king was not
willing to lose the time of his lying awake; but to spend it in
something that might be of advantage to his kingdom; he commanded
the scribe to bring him the chronicles of the former kings; and
the records of his own actions; and when he had brought them; and
was reading them; one was found to have received a country on
account of his excellent management on a certain occasion; and
the name of the country was set down; another was found to have
had a present made him on account of his fidelity: then the
scribe came to Bigthan and Teresh; the eunuchs that had made a
conspiracy against the king; which Mordecai had discovered; and
when the scribe said no more but that; and was going on to
another history; the king stopped him; and inquired 〃whether it
was not added that Mordecai had a reward given him?〃 and when he
said there was no such addition; he bade him leave off; and he
inquired of those that were appointed for that purpose; what hour
of the night it was; and when he was informed that it was already
day; he gave order; that if they found any one of his friends
already come; and standing before the court; they should tell
him。 Now it happened that Haman was found there; for he was come
sooner than ordinary to petition the king to have Mordecai put to
death; and when the servants said that Haman was before the
court; he bid them call him in; and when he was come in; he said;
〃Because I know that thou art my only fast friend; I desire thee
to give me advice how I may honor one that I greatly love; and
that after a manner suitable to my magnificence。〃 Now Haman
reasoned with himself; that what opinion he should give it would
be for himself; since it was he alone who was beloved by the
king: so he gave that advice which he thought of all other the
best; for he said; 〃If thou wouldst truly honor a man whom thou
sayest thou dost love; give order that he may ride on horseback;
with the same garment on which thou wearest; and with a gold
chain about his neck; and let one of thy intimate friends go
before him; and proclaim through the whole city; that whosoever
the king honoreth obtaineth this mark of his honor。〃 This was the
advice which Haman gave; out of a supposal that such a reward
would come to himself。 Hereupon the king was pleased with the
advice; and said; 〃Go thou therefore; for thou hast the horse;
the garment; and the chain; ask for Mordecai the Jew; and give
him those things; and go before his horse and proclaim
accordingly; for thou art;〃 said he; 〃my intimate friend; and
hast given me good advice; be thou then the minister of what thou
hast advised me to。 This shall be his reward from us; for
preserving my life。〃 When he heard this order; which was entirely
unexpected; he was confounded in his mind; and knew not what to
do。 However; he went out and led the horse; and took the purple
garment; and the golden chain for the neck; and finding Mordecai
before the court; clothed in sackcloth; he bid him put that
garment off; and put the purple garment on。 But Mordecai; not
knowing the truth of the matter; but thinking that it was done in
mockery; said; 〃O thou wretch; the vilest of all mankind; dost
thou thus laugh at our calamities?〃 But when he was satisfied
that the king bestowed this honor upon him; for the deliverance
he had procured him when he convicted the eunuchs who had
conspired against him; he put on that purple garment which the
king always wore; and put the chain about his neck; and got on
horseback; and went round the city; while Haman went before and
proclaimed; 〃This shall be the reward which the king will bestow
on every one whom he loves; and esteems worthy of honor。〃 And
when they had gone round the city; Mordecai went in to the king;
but Haman went home; out of shame; and informed his wife and
friends of what had happened; and this with tears; who said; that
he would never be able to be revenged of Mordecai; for that God
was with him。

11。 Now while these men were thus talking one to another;
Esther's eunuchs hastened Haman away to come to supper; but one
of the eunuchs; named Sabuchadas; saw the gallows that was fixed
in Haman's house; and inquired of one of his servants for what
purpose they had prepared it。 So he knew that it was for the
queen's uncle; because Haman was about to petition the king that
he might be punished; but at present he held his peace。 Now when
the king; with Haman; were at the banquet; he desired the queen
to tell him what gifts she desired to obtain; and assured her
that she should have whatsoever she had a mind to。 She then
lamented the danger her people were in; and said that 〃she and
her nation were given up to be destroyed; and that she; on that
account; made this her petition; that she would not have troubled
him if he had only given order that they should be sold into
bitter servitude; for such a misfortune would not have been
intolerable; but she desired that they might be delivered from
such destruction。〃 And when the king inquired of her whom was the
author of this misery to them; she then openly accused Haman; and
convicted him; that he had been the wicked instrument of this;
and had formed this plot against them。 When the king was hereupon
in disorder; and was gone hastily out of the banquet into the
gardens; Haman began to intercede with Esther; and to beseech her
to forgive him; as to what he had offended; for he perceived that
he was in a very bad case。 And as he had fallen upon the queen's
bed; and was making supplication to her; the king came in; and
being still more provoked at what he saw; 〃O thou wretch;〃 said
he; 〃thou vilest of mankind; dost thou aim to force in wife?〃 And
when Haman was astonished at this; and not able to speak one word
more; Sabuchadas the eunuch came in and accused Haman; and said;〃
He found a gallows at his house; prepared for Mordecai; for that
the servant told him so much upon his inquiry; when he was sent
to him to call him to supper。〃 He said further; that the gallows
was fifty cubits high: which; when the king heard; he determined
that Haman should be punished after no other manner than that
which had been devised by him against Mordecai; so he gave order
immediately that he should be hung upon those gallows; and be put
to death after that manner。 And from hence I cannot forbear to
admire God; and to learn hence his wisdom and his justice; not
only in punishing the wickedness of Haman; but in so disposing
it; that he should undergo the very same punishment which he had
contrived for another; as also because thereby he teaches others
this lesson; that what mischiefs any one prepares against
another; he; without knowing of it; first contrives it against
himself。

12。 Wherefore Haman; who had immoderately abused the honor he had
from the king; was destroyed after this manner; and the king
granted 

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