Sennacherib, [great] king, [strong king], king of the world, king of Assyria, king of [the four quarters (of the world)], capable shepherd, favorite of the [great] gods, guardian of truth who loves jus[tice], renders assistance, goes to the aid of the w[eak], (and) strives after good de[eds], perfect man, virile warr[ior], foremost of all rul[ers], the bridle that controls the insub[missive], (and) the one who strikes en[emies] with lightning:

The god Aššur, the [great] mountain, gran[ted to me] unrivalled sovereignty [and] made [my] w[eapons] greater than (those of) all who sit on [(royal) daises. He made] all of the black-headed (people) from the Upp[er] Sea [of the Setting Sun] to the Low[er] Sea [of the Rising Sun bow down at my feet]. Thus [did] recalcitr[ant] rulers [come to fear battle with me].

Lacuna

Lacuna

... [...] I rai[sed as high as a mountain. ...] In order to [prevent its foundations from being weakened] by rain [(and ...)], I had a supporting wall built [(along)] the circumference of the wall of the city [...] (and) ... [...].

[I enlarged the site] of the citadel and Nineveh, [my] c[apital c]ity. I broade[ned] their squares [and] brought light into [the alleys and] streets, ma[king (them) as bright as day].

I had [a bridge] con[structed] opposite the Citadel Gate with paving ston[es of white limestone] for the passage of my lordly chariot.

I fashioned an inscribed object and had all the mighty victories [that] I achi[eved (...)] over all of (my) enemies [and] all of my (other) achievements inscrib[ed thereon]. With inscribed objects of earl[ier] rulers, [my ancestors], I de[pos]ited (it) for [ever after] in the citadel wall of Nineveh, [my] ca[pital] city, for the kings, my descendants.

At any time (in the future), may one of my descen[dants] (lit. “[future] children”), whom (the god) Aššur [names] for the lordship of the land and [people, renovate its dilapidated section(s)] when that wall becomes o[ld and dilapidated]. May he fin[d] an inscribed object bearing my name, [anoint (it) with oil], make an offering, (and) [return (it)] to [its] pla[ce]. The god Aššur and the goddess Ištar [will (then) hear his] pray[ers].

That which is upon the inscribed object that [...]; belonging to Senn[acherib ...].