Abzu

Shrine of Nibru , shrine surpassing the abzu , shining E-kur ; your prince is the Great Mountain Enlil who surpasses the Prince ( i.e. Enki ) . Your great lady is the good woman, Mother Ninlil , excelling in refinement. Your caretaker is one whose vigour is surpassing, the hero Ninurta . The chief minister ( i.e. Nuska ) , who is worthy of your fair copper vessels, who makes your bedchamber exceedingly pleasant, is also the guardian watching over your honourable divine powers; he is the shepherd watching over your honourable divine powers. Your provider, who was engendered by the Great Mountain and was born by Ninlil -- Išme- Dagan , who was engendered by the Great Mountain, and was born by Ninlil , he who has achieved a high reputation among his numerous people, throws himself at your feet.

A hymn to Nibru and Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan C) (c.2.5.4.03) ·c.2.5.4.03 ·1 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Princely son, you are radiant as you come forth from the sacred bathing chamber (?), ……. …… the mountain of pure divine powers, the abzu shrine, ……. …… the majestic foundation platform, ……. Bringing terrifying radiance from the marshes, you …… a fearsome …….

A hymn to Nanna (Nanna E) (c.4.13.05) ·c.4.13.05 ·2 ·machine translation (etcsl)

O E-unir (House which is a ziqqurat), grown together with heaven and earth, foundation of heaven and earth, great banqueting hall of Eridug ! Abzu , shrine erected for its prince, E-du-kug (House which is the holy mound) where pure food is eaten, watered by the prince's pure canal, mountain, pure place cleansed with the potash plant, Abzu , your tigi drums belong to the divine powers.

The temple hymns (c.4.80.1) ·c.4.80.1 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

When I go, when I go -- the mighty queen who ……, who ……; when I, the queen, go to the Abzu , when I, Inana , go to the Abzu , when I go to the Abzu , the E-nun , when I go to Eridug the good, when I go to E-engura , when I go to E-ana , the temple of Enlil , when I go to ……, when I go to where the great offering bowls stand in the open air, when I go to where the …… pure …… bowls, when I go to where …… is honoured, when I go to where Lord Enki is honoured, when I go to where Damgalnuna …… is honoured, when I go to where Asarluḫi …… is honoured -- then I bring a dog with me, I bring a lion (?) with me, I bring boxwood with me, I bring ḫalub wood with me. I, Inana , receive the little ……, when I travel there, when I travel there.

A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana G) (c.4.07.7) ·c.4.07.7 ·3 ·machine translation (etcsl)

When I go, when I go -- the mighty queen who ……, who ……; when I, the queen, go to the Abzu , when I, Inana , go to the Abzu , when I go to the Abzu , the E-nun , when I go to Eridug the good, when I go to E-engura , when I go to E-ana , the temple of Enlil , when I go to ……, when I go to where the great offering bowls stand in the open air, when I go to where the …… pure …… bowls, when I go to where …… is honoured, when I go to where Lord Enki is honoured, when I go to where Damgalnuna …… is honoured, when I go to where Asarluḫi …… is honoured -- then I bring a dog with me, I bring a lion (?) with me, I bring boxwood with me, I bring ḫalub wood with me. I, Inana , receive the little ……, when I travel there, when I travel there.

A šir-namšub to Inana (Inana G) (c.4.07.7) ·c.4.07.7 ·5 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In those remote days, when the fates were determined; in a year when An brought about abundance, and people broke through the earth like green plants -- then the lord of the abzu , King Enki , Enki , the lord who determines the fates, built up his temple entirely from silver and lapis lazuli. Its silver and lapis lazuli were the shining daylight. Into the shrine of the abzu he brought joy.

Enki's journey to Nibru (c.1.1.4) ·c.1.1.4 ·8 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord, perfect in august wisdom and recognised for his mighty counsel, Ḫaia , who holds the great tablets, who enriches the deep wisdom! Accountant of Ḫal-an-kug, having the final overview of the arts of Nisaba's house of wisdom; palace archivist of heaven and earth, who keeps count of every single assignment, who holds a holy reed-stylus and covers the great tablets of destiny with writing! Wise one, who prompts holy An with words and attention at the appropriate times; seal-holder of Father Enlil ! He who brings forth the holy objects from the treasure-house of E-kur ; ornament of the abzu shrine, wearing his hair loose for Lord Nudimmud !

A hymn to Ḫaia for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn B) (c.2.6.9.2) ·c.2.6.9.2 ·8 ·machine translation (etcsl)

You behave as a lady among living creatures, you …… the dais; you …… great ritual ordinances and commands in the abzu shrine.

A prayer to Inana for Ḫammu-rābi (Ḫammu-rābi F) (c.2.8.2.6) ·c.2.8.2.6 ·12 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Your great …… wall is in good repair. Light does not enter your meeting-place where the god dwells, the great ……, the beautiful place. Your tightly constructed house is sacred and has no equal. Your prince, the great prince, has fixed firmly a holy crown for you in your precinct -- O Eridug with a crown placed on your head, bringing forth thriving thornbushes, pure thornbushes for the susbu priests (?), O shrine Abzu , your place, your great place!

The temple hymns (c.4.80.1) ·c.4.80.1 ·15 ·machine translation (etcsl)

8 lines fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing

Ninurta and the turtle (c.1.6.3) ·c.1.6.3 ·8 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In the first year the temple remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. Amar- Suena …… the divine powers of kingship. In the second year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. Amar- Suena …… his royal garments for mourning clothes. In the third year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. Amar- Suena could not interpret (?) the temple's ominous sign among (?) the birch trees. In the fourth year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. Although he had been advised (?) by a sage, he could not realise the plans of the temple. In the fifth year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. The abzu shrine has been …… by force. In the sixth year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. He was searching for the divine plan of the temple, but could not find it. In the seventh year it remained in ruins, and he did not restore it. Enki spoke to him about the temple, the temple that did not exist. In the eighth year, he applied himself to building the temple. By the ninth year, King Amar- Suena built the E-uduna of the wise lord (?) like …….

Amar-Suena and Enki's temple (Amar-Suena A) (c.2.4.3.1) ·c.2.4.3.1 ·18 ·machine translation (etcsl)

He who fixes the standards on their pegs, planner (?) who artfully excavates (?) the soil of the Land, who decorates the floor and makes the dining-hall attractive for Anšar and the Great Mountain! Tall and with head high, he whose utterances from the abzu shrine are favourable, who carefully holds the pure white loaves of the house of the gods! Kusu and Indagara , without whom heaven would not be pure nor earth bright, continual providers of the great meals of An and Enlil in their grand dining-hall! He who gazes upon the holy precinct, upon Lord Nudimmud ; he who holds the holy bronze vessels, who makes hearts rejoice and soothes spirits!

A hymn to Ḫaia for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn B) (c.2.6.9.2) ·c.2.6.9.2 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Like the new moon he comes forth over the people. Like Nanna he is …… in heaven and earth. He holds in his hand a sceptre of shining precious metal, and the true crown of An is placed on his head. Like Utu he comes forth over the cypresses; like Nanna he stands over the high mountains. {The lord in the courtyard} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) The lord, the king}, ……, the king who was born in the women's chambers in the mountains, second in rank …… at least 6 lines missing

A šir-gida to Ninurta (Ninurta A) (c.4.27.01) ·c.4.27.01 ·9 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Lord Nudimmud honoured him duly: "Hero, no god among your brother gods could have acted so. As for the bird which your mighty weapon captured, from now to eternity you will keep your foot placed on its neck. May the great gods give your heroic strength its due. May your father Enlil do whatever you command. May Ninmena not fashion your equal (?). May no one be as revered as you and no god extend an upraised hand before you. Monthly may your house (?) regularly receive tributes in the shrine, in the abzu . May An (?) proclaim your name in the seat of honour."

Ninurta and the turtle (c.1.6.3) ·c.1.6.3 ·23 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In the Abzu , the great crown of Eridug , where sanctuaries are apportioned, where elevated …… are apportioned -- when Enki , the great princely farmer of the awe-inspiring temple, the carpenter of Eridug , the master of purification rites, the lord of the great en priest's precinct, occupies E-engura , and when he builds up the Abzu of Eridug ; when he takes counsel in Ḫal-an-kug , when he splits with an axe the house of boxwood; when the sage's hair is allowed to hang loose, when he opens the house of learning, when he stands in the street of the door of learning; when he finishes (?) the great dining hall of cedar, when he grasps the date-palm mace, when he strikes (?) the priestly garment with that mace, then he utters seven …… to Nisaba , the supreme nursemaid:

A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A) (c.4.16.1) ·c.4.16.1 ·36 ·machine translation (etcsl)

My king, I shall praise your eminence in song! Ḫaia , I will declare your greatness perpetually! Who among the gods is fitted like you for the holy divine powers? Your beloved spouse is the maiden Nisaba , the great queen of queens. Ninlil , who was born of her holy womb, the august wife of Nunamnir , sits with her on the dais of E-kur with head raised high, uniquely entitled to behave as queen of the gods, the peerless goddess. In the abzu shrine, Enki has bestowed his incantations of life on you, great breed-bull, who are recognised for your right understanding, who constantly care for the gods, Ḫaia , you who operate effectively the assigning of divine powers, who mark out the cult places.

A hymn to Ḫaia for Rīm-Sîn (Rīm-Sîn B) (c.2.6.9.2) ·c.2.6.9.2 ·38 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Youthful Suen , as you move the Anuna gods stand in attendance. In the four quarters of the world the black-headed people raise their eyes to you, the first-born son of Enlil . Nanna , youthful Suen , as you move the Anuna gods stand in attendance. In the four quarters of the world the black-headed people raise their eyes to you, the first-born son of Enlil .

A hymn to Nanna (Nanna O) (c.4.13.15) ·c.4.13.15 ·13 ·machine translation (etcsl)

In the Abzu , the great crown of Eridug , where sanctuaries are apportioned, where elevated …… are apportioned -- when Enki , the great princely farmer of the awe-inspiring temple, the carpenter of Eridug , the master of purification rites, the lord of the great en priest's precinct, occupies E-engura , and when he builds up the Abzu of Eridug ; when he takes counsel in Ḫal-an-kug , when he splits with an axe the house of boxwood; when the sage's hair is allowed to hang loose, when he opens the house of learning, when he stands in the street of the door of learning; when he finishes (?) the great dining hall of cedar, when he grasps the date-palm mace, when he strikes (?) the priestly garment with that mace, then he utters seven …… to Nisaba , the supreme nursemaid:

A hymn to Nisaba (Nisaba A) (c.4.16.1) ·c.4.16.1 ·41 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… protective deity ……. Amar- Suena …… his heart. He who …… the temple with an axe ……. Amar- Suena …… the abzu shrine. …… built with gold, and decorated with lapis lazuli. He applied himself to building the temple; King Amar- Suena applied himself to building the temple. The people turned against the king, and the foreign countries …….

Amar-Suena and Enki's temple (Amar-Suena A) (c.2.4.3.1) ·c.2.4.3.1 ·4 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Next comes the Abzu , with the lions before it, where the divine powers may not be requested ( al-dug ): the hoe wielder (?) ( altar ), the good man, Lord Nudimmud , was building ( aldue ) the Abzu , Eridug having been chosen as the construction site ( altar ).

The song of the hoe (c.5.5.4) ·c.5.5.4 ·45 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Ningal is the majestic lady of the abzu shrine, of the majestic dais of Urim determining good and great destinies, and of the E-kiš-nu-ĝal , the sacred and good dwelling. O, the sacred dwelling is the place of your ladyship for Nanna its king! The E-kiš-nu-ĝal , the Agrun-kug , is your house of royalty! Nanna and Ningal bring joyfulness to the dwelling.

A hymn to Nanna (Nanna E) (c.4.13.05) ·c.4.13.05 ·56 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"My sister, let Aratta fashion gold and silver skilfully on my behalf for Unug . Let them cut the flawless lapis lazuli from the blocks, let them …… the translucence of the flawless lapis lazuli ……. …… build a holy mountain in Unug . Let Aratta build a temple brought down from heaven -- your place of worship, the Shrine E-ana ; let Aratta skilfully fashion the interior of the holy ĝipar , your abode; may I, the radiant youth, may I be embraced there by you. Let Aratta submit beneath the yoke for Unug on my behalf. Let the people of Aratta bring down for me the mountain stones from their mountain, build the great shrine for me, erect the great abode for me, make the great abode, the abode of the gods, famous for me, make my me prosper in Kulaba , make the abzu grow for me like a holy mountain, make Eridug gleam for me like the mountain range, cause the abzu shrine to shine forth for me like the silver in the lode. When in the abzu I utter praise, when I bring the me from Eridug , when, in lordship, I am adorned with the crown like a purified shrine, when I place on my head the holy crown in Unug Kulaba , then may the …… of the great shrine bring me into the ĝipar , and may the …… of the ĝipar bring me into the great shrine. May the people marvel admiringly, and may Utu witness it in joy."

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·56 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The minister Isimud ……. Strangers to the house …… its side. Eridug , the shrine Abzu , …… silently. The enemy …… cleansed in a magnificent robe. …… a man …… the people ……. Along with the fluids spilled from his guts, his blood spilled forth. The ……, which like the azure sky was embellished forever, …… grasped …….

The lament for Eridug (c.2.2.6) ·c.2.2.6 ·68 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enki , the king of the Abzu, rejoicing in great splendour, justly praises himself: "My father, the king of heaven and earth, made me famous in heaven and earth. My elder brother, the king of all the lands, gathered up all the divine powers and placed them in my hand. I brought the arts and crafts from the E-kur , the house of Enlil , to my Abzu in Eridug . I am the good semen, begotten by a wild bull, I am the first born of An . I am a great storm rising over the great earth, I am the great lord of the Land. I am the principal among all rulers, the father of all the foreign lands. I am the big brother of the gods, I bring prosperity to perfection. I am the seal-keeper of heaven and earth. I am the wisdom and understanding of all the foreign lands. With An the king, on An's dais, I oversee justice. With Enlil , looking out over the lands, I decree good destinies. He has placed in my hands the decreeing of fates in the place where the sun rises. I am cherished by Nintur . I am named with a good name by Ninḫursaĝa . I am the leader of the Anuna gods. I was born as the firstborn son of holy An ."

Enki and the world order (c.1.1.3) ·c.1.1.3 ·67 ·machine translation (etcsl)

…… distressed and anxious …… like a pigeon ……. 1 line fragmentary The birds of the destroyed city …… a nest. The ukuku bird, bird of heart's sorrow, …… the place. Pain ……. The area became entangled in wild thornbushes. It …… wild thornbushes. The Šimaškians and Elamites , the destroyers, looked at the holy kettles which no one may look at. In the House of Nisaba's Wisdom, the house of understanding, …… covered over ……. The divine powers which embellish the Abzu ……. When the holy treasures stored in the treasury were put ……, when, like a mist lying heavily on the earth, ……, they went like small birds shooed from their hiding places. 7 lines fragmentary unknown no. of lines missing

The lament for Eridug (c.2.2.6) ·c.2.2.6 ·89 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"Come, Enmerkar ! I shall offer you advice: let my counsel be heeded. I shall speak words to you; let them be heard. Choose from the troops as a messenger one who is eloquent of speech and endowed with endurance. Where and to whom shall he carry the important message of wise Inana ? Let him bring it up into the Zubi mountains, let him descend with it from the Zubi mountains. Let Susa and the land of Anšan humbly salute Inana like tiny mice. In the great mountain ranges, let the teeming multitudes grovel in the dust for her. Aratta shall submit beneath the yoke to Unug . The people of Aratta shall bring down the mountain stones from their mountains, and shall build the great shrine for you, and erect the great abode for you, will cause the great abode, the abode of the gods, to shine forth for you; will make your me flourish in Kulaba , will make the abzu grow for you like a holy mountain, will make Eridug shining for you like the mountain range, will cause the abzu shrine to shine forth for you like the glitter in the lode. When in the abzu you utter praise, when you bring the me from Eridug , when, in lordship, you are adorned with the crown like a purified shrine, when you place on your head the holy crown in Unug Kulaba , then may the …… of the great shrine bring you into the ĝipar , and may the …… of the ĝipar bring you into the great shrine. May the people marvel admiringly, and may Utu witness it in joy. Because …… shall carry daily, when …… in the evening cool ……, -- in the place of Dumuzid where the ewes, kids and lambs are numerous, the people of Aratta shall run around for you like the mountain sheep in the akalag fields, the fields of Dumuzid . Rise like the sun over my holy breast! You are the jewel of my throat! Praise be to you, Enmerkar , the son of Utu !"

Enmerkar and the lord of Aratta (c.1.8.2.3) ·c.1.8.2.3 ·87 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"At my command, sheepfolds have been built, cow-pens have been fenced off. When I approach heaven, a rain of abundance rains from heaven. When I approach earth, there is a high carp-flood. When I approach the green meadows, at my word stockpiles and stacks are accumulated. I have built my house, a shrine, in a pure place, and named it with a good name. I have built my Abzu , a shrine, in ……, and decreed a good fate for it. The shade of my house extends over the …… pool. By my house the suḫur carp dart among the honey plants, and the eštub carp wave their tails among the small gizi reeds. The small birds chirp in their nests."

Enki and the world order (c.1.1.3) ·c.1.1.3 ·95 ·machine translation (etcsl)

"The lords pay heed …… to me. I am Enki ! They stand before me, praising me. The abgal priests and abrig officials who …… stand before me …… distant days. The enkum and ninkum officiants organise ……. They purify the river for me, they …… the interior of the shrine for me. In my Abzu , sacred songs and incantations resound for me. My barge 'Crown', the 'Stag of the Abzu', transports me there most delightfully. It glides swiftly for me through the great marshes to wherever I have decided, it is obedient to me. The stroke-callers make the oars pull in perfect unison. They sing for me pleasant songs, creating a cheerful mood on the river. Niĝir-sig , the captain of my barge, holds the golden sceptre for me. I am Enki ! He is in command of my boat 'Stag of the Abzu'. I am the lord! I will travel! I am Enki ! I will go forth into my Land! I, the lord who determines the fates, ……," 4 lines unclear

Enki and the world order (c.1.1.3) ·c.1.1.3 ·106 ·machine translation (etcsl)

Enlil addressed the Anuna gods: "Great gods who are standing here! Anuna , who have lined up in the Ubšu-unkena ! My son, King Enki has built up the temple! He has made Eridug {rise up (?)} {( 1 ms. has instead: ) come out} from the ground like a mountain! He has built it in a pleasant place, in Eridug , the pure place, where no one is to enter -- a temple built with silver and decorated with lapis lazuli, a house which tunes the seven tigi drums properly, and provides incantations; where holy songs make all of the house a lovely place -- the shrine of the abzu , the good destiny of Enki , befitting the elaborate divine powers; the temple of Eridug , built with silver: for all this, Father Enki be praised!"

Enki's journey to Nibru (c.1.1.4) ·c.1.1.4 ·127 ·machine translation (etcsl)

The evil-bearing storm went out from the city. It swept across the Land -- a storm which possessses neither kindness nor malice, does not distinguish between good and evil. Subir came down like rain. It struck hard. In the city where bright daylight used to shine forth, the day darkened. In Eridug where bright daylight used to shine forth, the day darkened. As if the sun had set below the horizon, it turned into twilight. As if An had cursed the city, alone he destroyed it. As if Enlil had frowned upon it, Eridug , the shrine Abzu , bowed low.

The lament for Eridug (c.2.2.6) ·c.2.2.6 ·26 ·machine translation (etcsl)