(i 1) Nabonidus, king of Babylon, the reliable warrior who is attentive towards the will of the gods, the humble (and) submissive one who reveres the great gods, the wise prince who understands everything there is, the exalted ruler who renovates all of the cult centers, the capable ruler who completes sanctuaries (and) makes sattukku-offerings abundant,

(i 5) the shepherd of a widespread people, the one who loves justice (and) establishes truth, the splendid stag, the (most) pre-eminent one of kings, the creature of the hand(s) of the gods Nabû and Marduk, the one who draws out the design(s) of the temples of the gods (and) firmly establishes their ground plans, the quick messenger of the great gods, the one who fully carries out every task, the one who pleases their heart(s), son of Nabû-balāssu-iqbi, the brave governor who reveres gods and goddesses, I am.

(i 10) To the god Šamaš, lord of the upper and lower worlds, chief judge of heaven and earth, the exalted judge of the great gods who render decisions, inspects the hearts of people who perform extispicies, the one who loves my royal majesty, the one who protects my life, the conqueror of my enemies, the destroyer of my foes, the one who resides in Ebabbar, which is in Sippar, the great lord, my lord: In the contentedness of my steadfast heart, I reverently and devoutly prayed, and constantly sought out the shrines of his great divinity.

(i 16) (With regard to) Ebabbar, his temple which is in Sippar, the exalted inner sanctum, the embodiment of his divinity, the pure cella, the dwelling of rest, the residence of his lordly majesty, whose foundation(s) were thoroughly destroyed for a long time (and) whose ground plans were in ruins —

(i 19) a king of the past looked for (its) original foundation(s), but he did not find (them). On his own, he had a new temple for the god Šamaš built, but it was not splendid (enough) for his lordly majesty, nor was it befitting (enough) to be the embodiment of his divinity.

(i 22) Prematurely (lit. “out of its appointed time”), the superstructure of that temple sagged down (and) its high parts crumbled. (As for) me, I looked at it and (then) became frightened and worried.

(i 24) With regard to firmly securing the foundation(s), perfectly executing the designs of his (Šamaš’) temple, (re)building the cella and throne platforms as the embodiment of his divinity, I prayed to him daily and, on account of this, I made an offering to him and (then) I made a decision about it.

(i 27) The god Šamaš, the exalted lord, had waited for me since distant days.

(i 28) The gods Šamaš and Adad had a favorable ‘yes,’ a firm decision about the completion of my work and making (those) sanctuaries endure, placed in my extispicy.

(i 30) I completely trusted in their firm decision, which cannot be changed, and took the god Šamaš by the hand and had him reside in the “House of the First Day” for a(n entire) year.

(i 31b) I dug pits to the right and left, in front of and behind the cella, as well as inside the throne platforms and (then) I gathered city elders, citizens of Babylon, architects, (and) skilled men who reside in the bīt-mummu, protect the secret lore of the great gods, (and) maintain the rite(s) of kingship, and I sent them (a message) about (making) a decision.

(i 34b) I spoke to them as follows: “Search for the original foundation(s) and look for the cella of the god Šamaš, the judge, so that I can build a lasting temple for the god Šamaš and the goddess Aya, my lords.”

(i 36) Through prayer(s) to the god Šamaš, my lord, (and) through supplications to the great gods, the assembly of craftsmen saw the original foundation(s) and examined the (old) cella and throne platforms. They immediately returned (and) spoke with me.

(i 38) I indeed saw the original foundation(s) of Narām-Sîn, a king of the distant past, the cella of the god Šamaš, the permanent residence of his divinity. My heart rejoiced and my face lit up. I inspected the cella of his lordly majesty and the throne platforms, and (then) during joyous celebrations, I laid its foundations on top of (its) original foundation(s).

(ii 1) I strengthened its foundation(s) and I raised its superstructure up like a high mountain. (As for) Ebabbar, his (Šamaš’) temple that had been built for his lordly majesty to be the embodiment of his divinity, I had (it) built anew for the god Šamaš, my lord, and I made it shine like daylight, just like (its) name.

(ii 3b) For the šīpu(s), crossbeam(s), the architrave(s), the giššakanakku(s), and the roof of the temple, I put in place 1,050 thick cedars, without number, tall pine-tree(s), cypress-tree(s), beautiful trees, (and) musukkannu-tree(s), a hard-(wood) tree, and I made its scent as pleasing as a forest of ḫašūru-tree(s).

(ii 6) At each of its gates, I installed immense doors of cedar (with) strong copper nukuššû-fittings (and) splendid bolts and I reinforced the structure of the temple like a mountain pass.

(ii 7b) For the residence of his divinity, I clad the cella of his lordly majesty with an awesome radiance. I decorated the utensil(s) of the temple with silver and gold and filled (it) with splendor to be an object of wonder for the people. I securely placed an inscription of mine and an image of my royal majesty inside it for eternity.

(ii 10b) Through the craft of the god Kulla, I renovated the bed chamber of his desire(s), the cellas, and throne platforms and provided (it) with a shining façade. Then, I firmly established inside it an eternal residence for the great judge of the gods. For the god Šamaš and the goddess Aya, my lords, I had a glorious house built.

(ii 13) I lavishly provided the finest oil for the door-jamb(s), door bolt(s), bolts, and doors and, in the entryway(s) of their exalted divinity, I filled the appurtenance(s) of the temple with a sweet scent. When the god Šamaš, my lord, enters the temple, its gates are thrown wide open (and) filled with joy.

(ii 15b) O Šamaš, exalted lord, when you enter Ebabbar, the residence where you rest, may the gates, entrances, cellas, and throne platforms be happy in your presence. May they exult over you as (over) an ayyaru.

(ii 17b) When you are sitting in the cella of your lordly majesty, the residence where you preside as judge, may the gods of your city and temple appease your mind (and) may the great gods please your heart. May the goddess Aya, the great bride who resides in Ekinu, constantly make your face shine (and) say good thing(s) about me to you.

(ii 21) With your bright countenance, your happy face, look with pleasure upon my precious handiwork, my good deeds, my inscription(s), and image(s) of my royal majesty, and may good things about me be set upon your lips. Call my name for eternity. Make the temple that I have built for him last for a long time so that your residence endures inside it.

(ii 25) May the god(s) of the temple, the utensils of the temple, the crossbeam(s), the architrave(s), the giššakanakku(s), the door-jamb(s), door bolt(s), the threshold(s) of the temples, and the doors guard the route(s and) keep the accessway in good repair. In your presence, may they hold my good deeds in high esteem (and) speak good things about me day and night.

(ii 29) By your exalted command, which cannot be changed, (and) the word of your great divinity, which cannot be overturned, may the deities Kittu, Mišāru and Dayyānu, the gods who sit in your presence, have the path of well-being and riches (and) the road of truth and justice placed at my feet.

(ii 32b) May your exalted vizier, the one who stands before you, the god Bunene, whose advice is good, the one who rides in a chariot (and) sits on (its) floor-boards, whose onslaught cannot be opposed, the one who harnesses valiant mules, whose knees do not become tried while marching and returning, (and) who goes out in procession before you, make (people) speak well of me in every street. May he constantly advise you about the prolongation of the days of my kingship. May he assist you in your precious work.

(ii 39) Make the fearsome brilliance of your luminosity, the appearance of lordship, (and) the awesome radiance of kingship march at my side to plunder the land(s) of my enem(ies) so that I can devastate the land of my foe(s), kill those hostile to me, consume the booty of my enemies, (and) bring the possessions of all lands into my land.

(ii 42b) May I be the king who provides, renovates cult center(s), and completes sanctuaries forever.

(ii 44) May all of (my) enemies quiver (and) quake at the (mere) mention of my important name. May they bow down at my feet, pull my yoke until far-off days, (and) bring their heavy tribute into my city, Babylon, into my presence.

(ii 47) May my residence be firmly inside Babylon (and) may I be sated walking about in its streets. May I grow old standing in Esagil and Ezida, which I love.

(ii 49) In the presence of the gods Bēl, Nabû, and Nergal, my gods, and the gods of the perimeter of the akītu(-house) of the Enlil of the gods, Marduk, may I be constantly concerned with the proper procedure(s) for (sacrificial) offering(s and) maṣḫatu-flour (offerings), providing for Edadiḫegal, and praying to the lord of lords (Marduk) for eternity.