² And the king said to Esther on the second day also ^[a]as they drank their wine at the banquet, “^(A)What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your wish? ^(B)Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

²³ And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to ^(A)half of my kingdom.”