Diviner's Prayer to the Gods of the Night, read by Michael Streck
Transcription based on the transliteration of the SEAL project (Hymns and prayers, Gods of the night). Translation as per SEAL project.
In the translation, italics signify uncertainty. Lines 17-20 contain Babylonian names of constellations
| Original Transcript | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 1 pullulū rubû 2 wašrū sikkūrū šīrētum šaknā 3 habrātum nišū šaqummā 4 petûtum uddulū bābū |
1 The princes are closely guarded, 2 The bolts are lowered, rings set in place. 3 The noisy people are fallen silent, 4 Gates (once) opened are locked. |
| 5 ilī mātim ištarāt mātim 6 šamaš sîn adad u ištar 7 īterbū ana utul šamê 8 ul idinnū dīnam ul iparrasū awâtim |
5 The gods of the land, goddesses of the land, 6 Šamaš, Sîn, Adad and Ištar 7 Have gone off into the "lap of heaven". 8 They will give no judgment, they will decide no cases. |
| 9 pussumat mušītim 10 ekallum šaḫurša kummu adrū |
9 Veiled is the night. 10 The palace, its chapel, (and) sanctuary are dark. |
| 11 ālik urhim ilam išassi u ša dīnim ušteberre šittam 12 dayyān kīnātim abi ekiātim 13 šamaš īterub ana kummišu |
11 The wayfarer calls out to the god, the petitioner keeps on sleeping. 12 The judge of justice, father of the destitute, 13 Šamaš, has gone into his sanctuary. |
| 14 rabûtum ilī mušītim 15 (line not read: nawrum girra) 16 qurādum erra 17 qaštum nīrum 18 šitaddarum mušḫuššum 19 eriqqum enzum 20 kusarikkum bašmum 21 lizzi<z>ūma |
14 (May) the great gods of the night, 15 brilliant Girra, 16 warrior Erra, 17 the "Bow", the "Yoke", 18 Orion, the "Dragon", 19 the "Wagon", the "She-Goat", 20 the "Bison", the "Horned Serpent", 21 stand by! |
| 22 ina têrti eppušu 23 ina puḫād akarrabu 24 kittam šuknān |
22 In the extispicy which I am performing, 23 In the lamb which I am offering, 24 place for me the truth! |