Nebuchadnezzar II 106

(i 1) Nebuchadnezzar (II), king of Babylon, the true shepherd who is the favorite of the god Marduk, the exalted ruler who is the beloved of the god Nabû, the wise (and) pious one who provides for Esagil and Ezida, (the one who) with generously providing hands renovates the sanctuaries of the great god(s), the foremost heir of Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, am I.

(i 10) When the god Marduk, the great lord, gave me a widespread people to shepherd, (and) magnificently commissioned me to provide for the cult centers (and) renovate sanctuaries, I myself am constantly present (and) unfailing towards the god Marduk, my lord.

(i 16) With silver, gold, precious stones, copper, musukannu-wood, (and) cedar, I made Esagil resplendent and made (it) shine like daylight.

(i 20) I completed Ezida and decorated (it) as beautifully as the stars (lit. “writings”) of the heavens. I constantly provisioned the sanctuaries of the great gods.

(i 24) I was attentive towards to the god Lugal-Marda. (With regard to) Eigikalama, his temple that is in Marad, which from the distant days no king of the past had seen its original foundation(s), I made an excavation pit and (then) I examined (and) checked the original foundation(s). Then, I discovered the foundation(s) of Narām-Sîn, the king of Babylon, an ancient ancestor, but I did not alter the inscription(s) bearing his name.

(ii 6) I regularly deposited inscription(s) bearing my name with the inscription(s) bearing his name and (then) I laid its (new) foundations on top of the foundations of Narām-Sîn, the king of Babylon.

(ii 9) I regularly outfitted it with crossbeam(s), giškanakku(s), and sikkūru šāqilu lock(s) of pine. I had (beams of) thick pine grown in the great mountains stretched (over it) for its roof. I completed th(at) temple and I made (it) shine like daylight for the god Lugal-Marda, my lord.

(ii 17) O Lugal-Marda, lord of all hero(s), when you joyfully enter that temple, look with favor and pleasure upon my precious handiwork and may good things about me be set upon your lips. Grant me a life of long days, the attainment of very old age, a firmly-secured throne, and a long-lasting reign.

(ii 27) May your mighty weapons go at my side. Slaughter the insubmissive (and) make every one of them disappear.

(ii 30) Speak good things about me in the presence of the god Marduk, king of heaven and earth.