SpTU 3, 076[via caspo]

Incantation: O Ishtar of the stars, goddess of the morning,

Lady of ladies, most high among the godd[esses].

Brilliance of the Igigi, light of the lands,

Most high among the gods, who illumines [. . .]

Shining star, torch of brilliance, which in [. . .]

is bright. You make the mou[ntains] resplendent.

I call upon you, O Lady, in the midst of the pur[e] heavens. Give ear to my request, and hear my speaking.

Look upon me truly and learn of my hardship.

I, so-and-so, son of so-and-so, whose (personal) god (is) Marduk, whose (personal) goddess (is) [Zar]panitu,

Whom hardship has encountered, so that I [bea]r misfortune.

Since (my personal) goddess and (personal) god, my lord, have grown angry with me,

I enter with lamentation, (and) depart with depression.

I walk along the street, and [my] port[ent] (is) unfavorable.

I arise in woe, (and) I sit in di[str]ess.

(My) food (is) not sweet. [I] am embittered like gall.

On (my) bed at night, (I experience) terror and frightening (dreams).

I moan like a dove night and day.

I am coated with tears. I am polluted with dust.

O Ishtar, where you have cursed, you are quickly appeased.

Your furious heart should have mercy on my case.

O Ishtar of the stars, where you have cursed, you are quickly appeased.

Your furious heart should have mercy(?) on my case.

You are forgiving, and you are merciful.

You are always merciful, and [you are] one who [forgives.

Be calm, and let your mood be appeased, (my) lady.

May your heart, like a father and mother, return to normal (lit. return to its place).

May the heart of your eternal divinity be appeased.

From your mouth, may life come forth.

May peace be established with your lips.

Forgive (my) sin; establish justice.

May it happen according to the word (lit. mouth) [of your] great [divinity].

[May] god, king, noble, and prince [esteem] me.

May the one who speaks with me speak [tru]e things,

(Including) male and female servant, family, kin, [cit]izen,

Friend, companion, and colleague.

May the word I speak be agreeable when I speak (it).

May my reputation be favorable (in) the street and lane.

May a favorable finger be stretched out behind me.

O Ishtar, you are a lady, a hero among the gods; you are merciful.

(In the direction of) your path I sprinkle oinment.

Where your feet tread . . .

Your pronouncement of mercy, O lady of the lands, belongs to you, O [Ishtar].

Its ritual: In the presence of Ishtar, you strew a censer of juniper with (glowing) charcoal of Acacia wood.

You libate miḫḫu-beer. You sprinkle the ground with fine oil. You recite this incantation three times.

You annoint (him) on the mouth with the oil that was sprinkled on the ground and bow down. [Your] prayer [will be heard].