Source: oracc.
Artifacts and parenthetical commentary added by editor R. Brown.
In Babylon dwells Nebuchadnezzar, [the king].
(faint image of King Nebuchadnezzar I)
He rages like a lion (and) thun[ders] like the god Adad.
Like a lion, he frigh[tens] his distinguished nobles.
[His] supplications go to the god Marduk, lord of Babylon:
“Have pity on me, one who is dejected and prost[rate]!
Have pity on my land, which weeps and mourns!
Have pity on my people, who wail and weep!
O lord of Babylon, how long will you dwell in the land of the enemy?
May beautiful Babylon be remembered by you!
(Marduk’s Esagila & residence in Babylon)
Turn your face back to Esagila (“House Whose Top Is High”), which you love!”
The lord of Babylon listened to [the supplication(s) of] Nebuchadnezzar and [his command] comes down to him from heaven:
“[… b]y (my own) mouth I spoke to you.
[Instructions (promising)] good fortune, I have sent to you.
[With] my [support] you are to attack the land of Amurru (Martu, Anu’s son).
[…] listen to [the iss]uing of your instructions!
[…] take me [from E]lam to Babylon!
Let me, [… the lord of Ba]bylon, give Elam to you!
[…] above and below.”
[…] has seized [(…)] his gods […]
[…]
Colophon
[…] Akkad, written (and) collated (from) a copy (in) Babylon.
[…] king of the world, king of Assyria.