Ashurbanipal 225

(1) For the god Marduk, the exalted lord, [king of the gods, supreme one, pre-eminent one ...], one of exalted 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 who[se] boundaries [cannot be transgressed ...];

(6) the god Šazu (Marduk), who exterminates all of the wicke[d, who ...], who oversees everything, who holds the n[ose-rope of ...], who maintains the bond of heaven and netherworld, who [...], who is crowned with the crown of rulership, who [is adorned with] awesome ter[ror, who is ... with fearsomeness, ...], (10) the sun of the gods with blazing features [...], most skilled of the skilled, wise, intelligent, [adept, learned, ...], beneficent, discern[ing, ...], deep hearted, who evaluates [...], whose thoughts cannot be understood n[or ...], (15) lord of wells, springs, floods, and [seas, ...], creator of the black-headed (people), lord of crea[tion ...], merciful lord who acce[pts prayers (and) listens to ...], king of Babylo[n, lord of Esagil, the palace of heaven and netherworld, ...]

(r 1') [to bring (offerings)] morni[ng and evening constantly (and) unceasingly ...].

(r 2') [On account of this, O Mard]uk, the great lord, [look upon this censer with pleasure and ...] have [mercy] on [me, Ashur]banipal, [whenever I call out to you ... m]y [...], grant [my] petit[ion(s) ..., accept m]y [prayers (and)] listen to [my] ple[a(s) (so that) there not be (any) illness ...].

(r 6') [Whenever] this gold [censer ...] be[fore your divinity ... Look constantly ... duri]ng the presentation of the bursaggê-offerings and the bu[r]g[ê-offerings, and ... good healt]h, happiness, a bright sp[irit, long life ... Give me a] just [scepter (and)] a true staff, [which ... the people, the subjects of the god Enlil, ...]. (rev. 10´) By your great command, [...] all of the kings who sit on [daises for/to ...]. May my land be expanded and may my people flourish [...]. Grant me abundance, prosperity, plenty, ... [...]. Kill my enemies (and) cut down my foes [in the midst of battle. ...].

(r 14') [May] the goddess Zarpanītu, your beloved spouse, (for) the pr[eservation of my life, constantly ... May] the god Nabû, the perfect son, your exalted vizier, [constantly ... May] the goddess Tašmētu, the daughter-in-law of Esagil, who resi[des inside ..., ...].

(r 17') During a reign in the distant future, when [this gold] cens[er ...], may he restore this gold censer, [not change its work, and ... May he write (on it)] the praise of the god Marduk, my lord, and [the mention of my name with his (own) name and ...].

(r 20') (As for) the one who [...] this gold censer from [Esagil, the seat of his lordship ...] or [removes] the praise of the god Marduk, [my lord, and the mention of my name ..., may] the god Marduk, the great lord, [make] inauspicious omens about him [appear in heaven and netherworld and not ..., may] the goddess Zarpanītu, the sublime lady, the spous[e ...].

(r 24') That which is (written) upon the [gold] basket [of Marduk ...].

(r 25') Fifty-five lines of prai[se ...].