Ashurbanipal 224

(1) For the god Marduk, the ex[alte]d lord, king of the gods, supreme one, pre-eminent o[ne ...], one of exa[l]ted strength, foremost of all the lords, [...], all-powerful one, foremost in heaven and netherworld, who directs the Igīgū and [Anunnakū gods ...], who bears the fierce divine weapon, hero of the great gods, [...], the honored, perfect lord wh[o]se [boun]daries cannot be transgressed [...];

(6) the god Šazu (Marduk), who knows the heart of the g[od]s, who exterminates all of the wicked, who [...], who is crowned with the crown of rulershi[p, who] is adorned with [awesom]e terror, [who is ...] with fearsomen[ess, ...], most skilled of the skilled, w[i]s[e], [in]telligent, adept, le[arned, ...], deep hearted, his own counselor who in all ... [...], (10) lord of wells, springs, floods, and seas, [...], merciful lord who accepts prayers (and) listens to [...], king of Babylon, lord of Esagil, the palace of heaven [and netherworld ...], who renders just verdicts, who sets ri[ght ...]:

(14) I, Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, [...] in order to restore the cult centers (and) to provide for the shrin[es ...], who in distant days in h[is] anger [...] in order to exact vengeance and to take revenge ... [...].

(18) By his exalted command, I conquered (the land) Elam [...]. With his support, I devastated his (the Elamite king’s) land and turned it into a was[teland ...].

(20) Moreover, Tugdammî, the king of a barbarian horde, the creation of Tiamat, the (very) image of [...] in order not to commit a crime nor sin against the border of my land, the oat[h of ...] he scorned (and) did not fear your honored name which the Igīgū gods [...] to glorify your lordship and the might of your divinity [...]. According to your divine message that you sent me, saying, “I will scatter the band of [...].”

(25) Sandak-šatru, a son, his offspring, whom he established as his replacement, ... [...].

(26) I listened and paid careful attention to the heroic god Marduk and to the command of the goddess Eru[(a) (Zarpanītu) ...]. I had a basket made of reddish gold (and) pašallu-gold [a]nd [...]. Through the craft of the god Kusibanda, I skillfully created [...] and in order to present [...]. With the [k]ikiṭṭê-rituals of the [in]cantation priest’s craft (and) with the purification of the goddess Kus[u ...] (30) to present [the m]eal, to give the food offerings and [...] to bring (offerings) morning and evening constantly (and) un[ceasingly ...]. When the god Nindagud carries this gold basket and the god Mīnâ-īkul-[bēlī ...].

(33) On account of this, O Marduk, the great lord, look upon this basket with pleasure and [...] have mercy on me, Ashurbanipal, whenever I call out to you [...], accept my prayers (and) listen to my plea(s) (so that) there not be (any) illness ... [...].

(36) Whenever this gold basket [...] before your divinity ... [...]. Look constantly during the presentation of the bursaggê-offerings and the burgê-offerings, and [...] good health, happiness, a bright spirit, long life [...]. Give me a just scepter (and) a true staff, which [...] the people, the subj[ects of the god Enlil, ...]. (40) By your great command, [...] all of the kings who sit on daises for/to [...]. Kill my enemies (and) cut down my foes in the midst of b[attle. ...].

(43) [May] the goddess Zarpanītu, your beloved spouse, (for) the preservation of my life, constan[tly ... May] the god Nabû, the perfect son, your exalted vizier, constantl[y ... May] the goddess Tašmētu, the daughter-in-law of Esagil, who resides inside [..., ...].

(46) During a reign in the distant future, when [this] gold basket [...], may he restore this gold basket, not [change] its work, [and ... May he write (on it)] the praise of the god Marduk, my lord, and the mention of my name w[ith his (own) name and ...].

(49) (As for) the one who [...] this gold basket from Esagil, the seat of [his] l[ordship ... or] removes [the praise of] the god Marduk, my lord, and the menti[on of my name ..., may the god Mardu]k, [the grea]t [lord, make] inauspicious omens about him [appear] in heaven and netherworld [and not ...].

(52) Fifty lines which are (written) upon the gold basket of the god [Marduk ...].