A reading from the book of Esther.

On that night the king could not sleep,

and he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles,

and they were read before the king.

And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh,

two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold and

who had sought to lay hands on King Ahazawares. And the king said, what honor or distinction

has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? The king's young men who attended him said,

Nothing has been done for him. And the king said, Who is in the court?

Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace

to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the gallows

that he had prepared for him.

And the king's young man told him,

Haman is there standing in the court.

And the king said, let him come in. So Haman came in, and the king said, Let him come in.

So Haman came in, and the king said to him,

What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?

And Haman said to himself,

Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?

And Haman said to the king,

For the man whom the king delights to honor, Let royal robes

be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose

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