Ashurbanipal 242

(1) Ashurbanipal, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), king of kings, ruler who has no rival; son of Esarhaddon, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, (5) governor of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad; grandson of Sennacherib, great king, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, I —

(7b) During my reign, the great lord, the god Marduk, who during the reign of a previous king had resided in Baltil (Aššur) in the presence of the father who had created him, (10) entered Babylon amidst rejoicing. I (re)confirmed the regular offerings for Esagil and the gods of Babylon. I (re-)established the privileged status of Babylon (and) appointed Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, my favorite brother, (15) to the kingship of Babylon in order that the strong might not harm the weak. I completed the work on Esagil which my father had not finished.

(18) At that time, I (re-)erected the platforms and daises of all of Esagil in their (original) positions according to their ancient specifications.

(20b) On account of this, may the god Marduk, the great lord, look upon my good deeds with pleasure and determine as my fate a long life, fullness of old age, good health, and happiness! Moreover, with regard to Šamaš-šuma-ukīn, king of Babylon, my favorite brother, may his days be long and may he be fully satisfied with (his) good fortune!

(26) If at any time in the future, during the days of the reign of some future ruler, this work falls into disrepair, may (that ruler) repair its dilapidated state! May he write my name with his (own) name! May he find my inscribed object, anoint (it) with oil, offer a sacrifice, (and) set (my inscribed object back) in its place! The god Marduk will (then) hearken to his prayers.

(30b) [(But) as for the one who] erases my inscribed name, (or) destroys my inscribed object, or changes its position, may the great lord, the god Marduk, glare at him angrily and make his name (and) his descendant(s) disappear from the lands!