The Debate between Bird and Fish

In the days of old, when fate was first decreed, when Enlil had laid down the design of heaven and earth—Enki fashioned the marsh, and filled it with fish and bird. But abundance breeds quarrel.

Prologue: The World is Made

In the days of old, when good fate had been decreed,
when Enlil had laid down the design of heaven and earth,
the lord of wide understanding—
Enki, the lord of destiny—it was he.

He swept and gathered, set each thing in its place.
He spread the living water, the pure seed of the earth, by hand.
He set the Tigris and Euphrates side by side,
and brought their waters to all the lands.
He washed the small canals clean,
laid them down in rows.

Enki spread wide the sheepfold and cattlepen,
gave them a shepherd.
He established cities and settlements throughout the land,
filled them with the black-headed people.
The king was given their shepherding,
raised to their lordship.
The king rose like sunlight over all the lands.

Enki fastened the mouth of the marshes,
made the reed thickets and young reeds grow.
In the great fish pond he multiplied fish and bird.
He granted them their natural foods to eat and drink,
set the abundance of the gods beside them.

Nudimmud, the great prince, lord of wide understanding,
fashioned them together.
He filled the reed thickets of the marsh with fish and bird,
appointed each to their place,
and made known their designs before them.

The Quarrel Begins

In those days Fish laid her eggs in the marsh.
Bird nestled her brood in the mouth of the reed thicket.
Bird disturbed Fish in the groundwater below her.

Fish stepped forward and spoke up.
She set up her defense, standing proudly.
She rose for strife, took her position.
Fish scattered her arguments, spoke to Bird:

"You bird, ever preening, without dignity—
your cry in the groundwater frightens me,
like a mouth torn open.

You eat the finest things all day long,
yet your heart pours out evil.
Standing in the open field, you gnaw with your teeth—
they chase and chase you.

In the furrow, the farmers' children have set snares for you.
In the orchards and gardens, nets have been spread for you.
With snares from leather cord, your wings bring you nothing good.
In the vegetable garden you destroy things,
yet nothing good comes to you.

In the waterlogged field your feet do not tread carefully.
Shameless bird, you scatter dung in the courtyard.
The little courtyard sweeper, tied in the house—
you set him running on his rope.

With your noise you throw the house into confusion,
your crying falls upon it.
Into the hero's house they crowd,
bleating like cattle and sheep.
They bring cold water and then sweet water.
They lead you along to the regular offerings.
The bird-catcher with his arm extended carries you off.
Your wings and your eyes they bind tight.

Your cry has no grace.
Your flying—what is it?
Because of your evil cry the night is terrified,
no one sleeps soundly.

Bird, when you emerge from the marsh,
your noise is upon me.
Rising from the dust-heaped well-mouth—
is that your dignity?"

So Fish piled her words on Bird.
Bird, with her motley plumage and motley eyes,
knew her own beauty.
Whatever Fish heaped upon her,
Bird did not take it to heart.
She answered back, mounting a charge of words.
She did not submit her neck before Fish's speech—
she raised an evil cry.

Bird Replies

Then Bird replied back to Fish:

"Why do you bring such a puffed-up heart?
Why do you take such pride?

Your mouth is always gaping, covered over—
you cannot even see behind you.
Your fins are cut off, arm and foot both,
turning your neck back on itself.
A bad smell builds a stench around you.

The reed at your neck cannot be set straight.
The one who takes you will not touch you with his hand.

In the vast deep waters and the broad swamp—
I am your superior.
You cannot eat the good plants.
My voice comes to you across the water.

The worthy ones of the river pass you by.
The waves cover you.
Before my eyes, reed thicket upon reed thicket trembles.
Your little ones are placed as regular offerings before me—
surrendered to my belly.
Your greatest ones belong to the gardens, to be my servants.

I am the beautiful bird, the wise one.
For my excellent craft, my splendid wing-pattern—
the honeycomb work you do
does not compare.

Going into the royal palace—that is fitting for me.
My song in the courtyard was established as fitting.
On my perch, sweet things are laid.
To Shulgi, son of Enlil, all of it is gladly given.

Fruit fallen in the orchards—my greatest offerings.
Porridge of malt flour, fine grain, mash—
sweet things for my mouth.

From all this—how do you not know my greatness?
Can you bow your neck to the ground?"

Fish Strikes Back

Then Bird piled more on Fish.
Fish, thick of heart, puffed up with warrior's strength,
did not yield.
A second time Fish replied to Bird:

"You with the cleft mouth, curved neck, shuffling feet,
and babbling voice—
out of ignorance you cried out,
your pride returned no counsel.

You told it to eat the finest things, to hold its head high—
and it fills the courtyard with dung.
The little courtyard sweeper of the house
you set running on a leash.
Cook and brewer, living in their houses,
stir to life because of you.

Bird, you do not know my greatness.
You turn words inside out in confusion.
Investigate my deeds in their proper place—
humble yourself before my superiority.
Your words have brought a heavy sin upon you.
Your pride returned no counsel.

I am Fish. I dwell in the pure shrine of abundance.
I stand at the great offerings of the Ekur temple, head raised.
Like Ashnan the grain-goddess,
I spread over all the land—I am her helper.
The people build their understanding on me,
set eyes upon me.
At the harvest festival they rejoice with me.

Bird, whatever great things you have made of yourself—
I will answer every one.
I will fill your hand with your own lying, inside-out mouth."

Destruction: Fish Takes Revenge

Then Fish moved against Bird, chasing after her—
running stealthily, swift, pursuing hard.

When Bird had raised her brood,
carrying food to her young,
Fish sought the lowly place,
searching stealthily with all her power.
She struck the placed nest and its low-lying plants—
left a deserted shrine.
She destroyed the built house, scattered the treasury.
She crushed the laid eggs,
overwhelmed them with the sea.

Fish beat Bird down.
Shining with victory, she was carried away by the water.

Bird Takes Revenge

Then Bird, with the eyes of a lion,
the talons of an eagle,
spread her wings toward her nest.
Her soaring turned back.

Like a storm-wind she flew into the heart of the sky,
ascending into the air above.
Bird gazed toward her shattered nest.
Her lower wings spread wide.
Her placed nest, its low-lying plants—
burning on the wide steppe.
Like a wild cow she cried out to the heart of the sky.

Bird chased Fish across the marsh, searching.
Bird found Fish in the groundwater,
turned her ear toward her.
Her companion, carried away by water—
Bird clutched her with her talons.
Her little ones, all together,
she gathered into sheaves and covered them.

A second time Bird replied to Fish:

"With cunning, pulling up—
Fish risen from the marsh.
Running away, mouths eating nothing—
belly empty in the setting sun.
The boar and the hedgehog
eating their own dung, holding their heads.
The guard who watches the wall alone,
trembling to himself.

I roasted Fish in the oven,
set her on a table.
Her ignorance's head was turned over,
a dead hand stretched out.
The puffed-up heart, acting by itself,
has destroyed itself.

I am the bird that soars in the sky
and walks on the earth.
When I walk, the sky is full of song—
abundance comes to meet me.

Fish has been given to the great princes.
I am of noble seed—
my young are the finest young.
I go to the lapis-lazuli Ekur, head raised,
back to the primordial days.

From all this—do you not know my greatness?
Can you bow your neck to the ground?"

Before the Judges

A second time Bird heaped more on Fish.

Then Fish opened her mouth,
raised a fierce eye:

"Do not lift yourself up with a lying mouth.
We are seized by judges.
We are at the judgment.
Enki will judge our case—
I will stand before him."

The two of them arose for strife,
quarreling wickedly,
each knowing their own great power.
In the middle of Eridu
they took the field of battle and made their contest.
Their voices roared like oxen.
They beat the leather drum like thunder.

Before the king, Shulgi, son of Enlil,
they came—head raised, calmed, seeking judgment.

[Fish speaks:]
"Lord, my words are true—hear them with your understanding.
She laid her eggs in the marsh.
She was granted supremacy, given food and drink.
She placed herself over me.
She destroyed my house.
She struck my nest and its low plants into a deserted shrine.
My house was destroyed, my treasury scattered.
My eggs were crushed,
overwhelmed by the sea.

Hear my words. Let my case return."

[Lines heavily damaged here—both parties continue their arguments before Enki]

Enki Gives Judgment

[Enki speaks:]

"Great is what has been spoken from the heart.
Your words are holy words—
things that gladden the heart.

So long as there is growth, there is battle.
They seized and seized each other.

The design, the straightened me, our foundations—
let them be known.

Enki, lord of the Abzu,
is the one who finds the path,
the word of great wisdom:
judge, go forth, speak."

He made Fish and Bird return together.

Bird going to the Ekur temple is fitting.
Her song is sweet.
From Enlil's holy table,
Bird, your ancient custom [is restored].

In the house of the great gods,
song was raised for them.
At their voice, the Anunnaki gods rejoiced.
At the evening meal in the great dining hall of the gods,
it was set as fitting.

In the royal palace, the lord rejoiced.
At Shulgi's table, son of Enlil,
the head was raised.

[Fragmentary lines follow—Fish given to the princes, abundance restored]

Fish and Bird spoke their contest to its end.
Bird was found superior to Fish.

Father Enki—praise!

Colophon

Translated from the Sumerian by the New Tianmu Anglican Church and Claude Sonnet, 2026. Source text: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL c.5.3.5), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Transliteration accessed March 2026. Existing English translations were consulted as reference; this translation is derived independently from the Sumerian. Several lines (111–115, 131–135, 159–166, 175–187) are fragmentary or heavily damaged in surviving manuscripts; translations of these passages are approximate and noted accordingly.

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Source Text

The Debate between Bird and Fish

Sumerian Transliteration (ETCSL c.5.3.5, composite text)

[ud ul-e-re]-/ta\ namdug₃ tar-ra-a-ba
[an d.en-lil₂] an ki jic-hur-bi mu-un-jar-re-ec-a-ba
[...] en jectug₂ dajal-la-ke₄
[d.en-ki lugal nam]-/tar-ra₃-kam-ma-bi na-nam
[X X]-ni [X] mu-un-ur₄-ur₄ dur₂ ki ba-an-jar
a /zi-[cag₄]-jal₂ numun zidu₃-tud cu-ce₃ im-ma-ab-la₂
id₂ idigna id₂ buranun-na zag-gaba-an-la₂ a kur-kur-ra mi-ni-in-tum₃-uc
id₂ tur-/tur-ra cu luh ba-an-ak sur₃-sur₃ mi-ni-jar-jar
[X X] [d.]/en-ki-ke₄ tur₃ amac cu bi₂-in-dajal sipad udulbi₂-in-tuku
/iri\ ki a₂-dam ki-a bi₂-in-jar-jar saj gig₂ mi-ni-in-lu
lugal-e nam-sipad-bi-ce₃ mu-un-tuku nam-nun-bi-ce₃ mu-un-il₂
lugal ud-dam kur-kur-ra mu-un-ed₂
[X X] [d.]/en-ki-ke₄ ambar-ambar-ra ka bi₂-in-KEC₂ gi uc₂ gi henbur₂ bi₂-in-mu₂
X pu₂ umah mah ku₆ mucen mi-ni-lu-ug
[X X] /ki\ nij₂-zi-pa-an-pa-ne-ne gu₇ naj-bi-ce₃ ba-an-cum₂
[X X] he₂-jal₂-la dijir-re-e-ne-ke₄ zag-bi-a ci-in-gub
[d.nu]-/dim₂-mud nunmah en jectug₂ dajal-la-ke₄
[...]-bi-ta u₃-mu-un-dim₂-dim₂
/ku₆ mucen-bi\ jic-gi ambar-ra im-mi-in-si
ki-gub-bi in-ne-en-pad₃
jic-hur-bi igi-bi im-mi-in-zu
ud-bi-a ku₆-e /ambar-ra\ nunuz ki ba-ni-in-tag
mucen-e ka jic-gi-a-/ka\ gud₃ im-ma-ni-ib-us₂
mucen-e ku₆ engur-ra-ke₄ [...]-bi-ta mi-ni-ib-hu-luh
ku₆-e im-ma-gub gu₃ im-ma-de₂-e
ni₂ i₃-buluj₅ ga-ba-al mu-ni-in-du₃
du₁₄-ce₃ sila ba-/zig₃\ u₃-na-bi ba-an-gub
ku₆-e mucen-ra bir-ra-bi inim mu-na-ni-ib₂-be₂
mucen du₈-du₈ KA [...] su-lum-mar nu-jal₂
ze₂-za engur-ra za-pa-/aj₂\ [(...)] nundun bur₂-re buluj₅-ja₂
mah-bi gu₇-gu₇ ba-zal cag₄-za hul-bi sur-sur
edin gub-ba-za zu₂ mu-e-da-ra-ah mi-ni-ib-sar-sar-re-ne
ab-sin₂-na dumu engar-ra-ke₄-ne gu₂ sa /nam-mi-ri-ak
nu-jickiri₆-ke₄ pu₂-jickiri₆-pu₂-jickiri₆-a sa na-mu-e-ri-gub
kucda-lu-uc₂-ta a₂-ni nu-ja₂-ja₂ dug₃ nu-mu-e-ci-ib-gam-e
mu₂-sar-ra nij₂ mu-ni-ib-hul-hul su nu-mu-un-da-dug₃-ge
a-cag₄ ki-duru₅ jal₂-jal₂-la-ba jiri₃-zu nu-zil₂-zil₂-i
mucen tec₂ nu-zu kisal-e ce₁₀ sud-sud
kisal-luh tur e₂-a sa la₂-e ec₂ hub! mi-ni-in-sar-re
za-pa-aj₂-zu-ta /e₂-e\ im-suh₃-suh₃ gu₃ mu-e!-ci-ib-cub-be₂
e₂ guruc ta!-ka mu-ni-ib-ku₄-ku₄-ne
gud udu-gin₇ mi-ni-ib-mu₇-e-ne
a sed₄ dug a-sig-ga ma-ra-de₂-e-ne
za-e sa₂-dug₄-ce₃ mu-e-da-an-gid₂-i-ne
mucen-du₃-e a₂ la₂-ta mu-ni-ib-tum₂-tum₂-mu
pa-zu igi-zu i₃-im-KEC₂.KEC₂-re-ne
gu₃ de₂-de₂-zu ki-ce-er nu-tuku dal-dal-zu a-na-am₃
gu₃ hul-zu-ta ji₆ hu-luh-en u₃ dug₃ nu-mu-un-ku-ku-ne
mucen ambar-ta ed₂-ba-ra za-pa-aj₂-zu ugu-ju₁₀-ta
pu₂-saj sahar-dub-ba-ka ed₂-ni-ib ur₅-ra-am₃ me-te-zu-um
ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
mucen bar gun₃-gun₃ igi gun₃-gun₃ sag₉-ga-ni-ce₃ mu-un-zu
in ku₆-e a-na mu-ni-ib-dub₂-ba cag₄-ce₃ nu-mu-un-gid₂-de₃
i-gi₄-in-zu umme-da u₅-a-ac mu-ni-in-dug₄
inim-ce₃ gu₂-ni nu-mu-na-ab-cum₂-mu gu₃ hul mu-un-ta-an-ed₂
ud-bi-a mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄
a-gin₇ cag₄-zu cag₄ gur₄-ra im-de₆ ni₂-zu mu-e-sun₅-sun₅
ka-zu dul-dam ka im-ta-ab-nijin₂ ejer-zu-ce₃ igi nu-bar-re
tugul kud a₂-cu-jiri₃ kud jiri₃-zu gu₂ bal-zu-ce₃
ir nu-dug₃-ga a-ha-an ci-du₃-du₃ ugu-za zu₂ kaz-kaz
gu₂-a-zu si sa₂-bi gi bunijx nu-ub-dab₅-be₂
lu₂ lah₄-a-zu cu-ni su-ni-ce₃ nu-ub-tag-ge
engur mah sug dajal-la-ba je₂₆-e gal₅-la₂-zu-me-en
u₂ dug₃-ga-bi nu-mu-e-ci-ib-gu₇-en gu₃-ju₁₀ mu-un-te-te
id₂-da nir-jal₂-la-bi nu-mu-un-DU.DU u₁₈-lu-ju₁₀ mu-e-dul-dul
igi-ju₁₀-ta jic-gi-jic-/gi-[a] mu-un-gir₅-gir₅-re-de₃-en
di₄-di₄-la₂-zu-ta sa₂-dug₄-ce₃ ma-a-/an-jar cag₄-gal-ju₁₀-ce₃ mu-e-cum₂
gal-gal-zu ki jicbun-na-ka X/su-bur₂-ju₁₀ na-nam
pu₂?ab?/zu\ X X [...mu]-e-da-BAD-en
je₂₆-e mucen sag₉-ga gal-zu-me-en
kij₂ sag₉-ga ugun tag-ga-ju₁₀-ce₃
lal₃-har kug-zu kij₂ li-bi₂-ib-sig₁₀-ga
e₂-gal lugal-la-ka DU.DU he₂-du₇-me-en
kisal-a mu₇-mu₇-ju₁₀ me-te-ac im-mi-in-jar
akkil jar-ra-ja₂ nij₂-ku₇-ku₇-da-bi?
su-bar dcul-gi dumu d.en-lil₂-la₂-ra dug₃-ge-ec im-mi-jal₂
gurun nij₂-duh-hum jickiri₆-jickiri₆ pu₂-jickiri₆-a sa₂-dug₄ gal-gal-ju₁₀-ce₃
ba-ba zid₂-munu₄ gu₂-nida im gagani nij₂ ka dug₃-ge-ja₂
ur₅-ta nam-mah-ju₁₀ a-gin₇ nu-e-zu gu₂ ki-ce₃ la₂-a-ni
ud-bi-a mucen-e ku₆-ra in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
ku₆ lipic tuku a₂ nam-ur-saj-ja₂ gur₄-ra nir-jal₂
muru₉ dugud-gin₇ ni₂ ki nam-mi-in-us₂ a-da-min₃-e ba-an-gub
in mucen-e a-na-am₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂-ba cag₄-ce₃ nu-mu-un-na-an-gid₂
gu₂ ki-ce₃ -ba-an-da-an-jar inim bur₂-bi im-me
2-kam-ma-ce₃ ku₆-e mucen-ra mu-na-ni-ib-gi₄-gi₄
ka ur₂ gu₂-gur₅ jiri₃ su-ul-su-ul ka ha-la emesal-sal
nam-nu-zu-a-ta gu₃ e-da-ra-ah ni₂-zu ad li-bi₂-gi₄
mah gu₇-gu₇ saj cu zig₃ bi₂-ib₂-dug₄-ga kisal-e ce₁₀ si-si
kisal-luh tur e₂-e sa la₂-e ec₂ mu-ri-ib₂-sar-re
muhaldim lu₂-bappir-e i₃-du₈ e₂-a til₃-la zi mu-e-da-an-ni-re-ec
mucen nam-mah-ju₁₀ ejer-bi nu-e-zu kum-zukum bar-ja₂ en₃ li-bi₂-in-tar
sig₉-ga kalag-ga-ja₂ nu-mu-e-de₃-zu inim u₃-bu-bu-ul i₃-bal
nij₂-ak-ja₂ ki-bi u₃-mu-e-kij₂ dirig-ce₃ ni₂ sun₅-ni-ib
inim-zu nam-tag dugud im-ma-ab-tum₃ ni₂-zu ad li-bi₂-gi₄
je₂₆-e ku₆-me-en he₂-jal₂ ec₃ sikil-la tec₂-ba jar-a-me-en
nidba gal-gal e₂-kur za-gin₃-ce₃ saj il₂-la gub-me-en
d.acnan-gin₇ cag₄-jar kalam-ma-ce₃ ba-jal₂-le-en a₂-tah-ni je₂₆-e-me-en
uj₃-e jectug₂-ga ma-an-du₃-du₃ igi-bi mu-ci-jal₂
buru₁₄ ezen-gin₇ mu-da-hul₂-le-ec en₃-tar-ju₁₀ i₃-jal₂
mucen nij₂-gal-gal a-na mu-e-dim₂-ma-zu gur₄-ra-ba ga-ri-ib-zu
sun₇-na ka lul-la bal-e-zu cu-za ga-ba-ni-ib-si
ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra sa₂ im-sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ge u₂-ßa-mar
sig₉-ga lul-ba ca-qum-mi-ic sa-ri- a₂-ba mu-un-DU.DU
ud mucen gud₃ ba-zig₃-ga-gin₇ amar-bi-ce₃ nij₂-gu₇-bi tum₃-de₃
ku₆-e ki sig₉-ga ac-ra-am ca-qum-mi-ic a₂-ba mu-un-kij₂-kij₂
gud₃ jar-ra u₂ sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ga-ni ec₃ lil₂-la₂ mu-un-sig₃
e₂ du₃-du₃-a-ni mu-un-gul-gul erim₃-ma-ni mu-un-bu
nunuz jar-jar-ra-ni bi₂-in-gaz-gaz ab-ba im-mi-in-cu₂
ku₆-e mucen-ra mu-ni-in-sig₁₀-sig₁₀ i-ce₃-er-ma a-e ba-da-an-kar
ud-bi-a mucen igi pirij-ja₂ umbin hu-ri₂-in mucen-na
gud₃-bi-ce₃ a₂ dub₂ i₃-ak-e dal-le-bi saj im-gi₄ [Akk.: ana qîni ûpparisam]
tum₉-mar-uru₅ an-cag₄-ga-ce₃ bu₄-bu₄-gin₇ i-ca-a [Akk.: ana šamê ittelli]
mucen-e gud₃-bi-ce₃ igi tab-ba a₂-ur₂ ba-bur₂-bur₂ [Akk.: ušta-pari-ir]
gud₃ jar-ra u₂ sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ga-ni edin dajal i₃-zu kum-e
ka-bi nu-gig-gin₇ an-cag₄-ga gu₃ mu-un-dub₂-dub₂-be₂ [Akk.: isaggum]
mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-un-ninni₂ ambar i₃-kij₂-kij₂
mucen-e ku₆-ra engur-ra igi im-ma-an-du₈ jectug₂ ba-ci-in-gub
i-gi₄-in-zu a-e ba-da-kar umbin mu-ni-in-la₂
agargara tur-tur-bi tec₂-bi bi₂-in-jar-jar zar-re-ec mu-un-du₈-du₈
mucen-e cu-jar-bi im-mi-in-gi₄ cag₄-bi /mu-[...]
2-kam-ma-ce₃ mucen-e ku₆-ra mu-un-na-ni-/ib-[gi₄-gi₄]
galam-ma hu-ru u₂-hub₂ jalga suh₃ ku₆ nam-ta-ed₂-[X]
kar [(X)] ninni₂ ka-ka-bi nu-gu₇ cag₄-gal ud cu₂-uc-e
cah₂ is-hab₂ ce₁₀ ni₂-bi gu₇-gu₇ saj cu bi₂-in-dug₄-ga
lu₂ en-nu-uj₃ ja₂-ja₂ bad₃-da til₃-la ni₂-bi-ta sur-ra
ku₆ ja₂-ra izi-gin₇ mu-un-bar₇ ki cakir₃ mu-un-jar
nu-zu-a-zu saj cu-bal ba-ab-gid₂ cu uc₂-a i-ni-sud
cag₄ gur₄-ra ni₂-bi ak-a-ba ni₂-bi mu-un-gul-gul
je₂₆-e mucen an-na dal-dal-me-en ki-a du-du-me-en
DU.DU-ju₁₀-ce₃ an mu-sa₄-a-ba a-la mu-un-ci-jal₂-le-me-en
[...] ku₆-e nun gal-e-ne ba-cum₂-mu-uc
numun saj-[ja₂-me-en] /amar-ju₁₀ amar saj-ja₂-am₃
X [...] [e₂]-/kur\ /za-gin₃-ce₃\ X saj il₂-la mu-un-DU
[...] ki X [...] ud ul-li₂-a-ce₃
X in-bi /sig₉?-ga-gin₇ uj₃ car₃-re im-me
[ur₅]-ta! nam-mah-ju₁₀ ejer-bi nu-zu gu₂ ki-ce₃ la₂-a-ni
2-kam-ma-ce₃ mucen-e ku₆-e in-ce₃ mu-ni-in-dub₂
ud-bi-a ku₆-e mucen-ra ka ba-ab-du₈ igi huc um-mi-in-ci-il₂
ka /lul-la-ta ni₂ na-an-sukud-de₃ di-kud-me i₃-dab₅
di-kud /ka-ac-bar-me d.en-ki-ke₄ di-me ga-ba-an-na-gub
2-na-/ne-ne\ zag sag₁₁-be₂-ec du₁₄ hul mu₂-be₂-ec
gur₄-ra nam-mah-bi zu-zu-u₃-de₃
/murub₄\ eridugi-ga du₁₄ ki ba-ni-ib₂-us₂ a-da-min₃ i₃-ak-e-ne
[X]-ne-e za-/pa-aj₂ gud-gin₇ lum-lum-e
[...] X [...]-gin₇ kucum i₃-tag-tag-ge
[lugal] [d.]cul-gi dumu d.en-lil₂-la₂-ra
[...] /saj?\il₂? ni₂ mu?-te-en di-da-am₃ i₃-kij₂-kij₂
[...] en dug₄-ga zid-da inim-ju₁₀-uc jectug₂-zu
[...] X mu-e-/re?-sig₁₀ nunuz ki ba-ni-in-tag
[(X) X X saj]-e-ec mu-/un-rig₇ /gu₇-naj-bi-ce₃ ba-an-cum₂
[...] mu-e-ni-jar-ra
[...] e₂-ju₁₀ ba-gul-gul
[gud₃ u₂]/sig₁₀-sig₁₀-ga-ju₁₀ ec₃ lil₂-e bi₂-in-sig₃
[e₂-ju₁₀ mu-un-gul]-gul erim₃-ma-ju₁₀ mu-un-bu
[nunuz-ju₁₀ mu-ni]-in-gaz-gaz ab-e um-mi-ib!-cu₂
[...] /dug₄-ga-ju₁₀ en₃ tar-re di-ju₁₀ gur?-a-ni
[...] igi-tab-ba ni₂ ki-ce₃ ba-ab-la₂
[...]-/bi\ inim mu-un-dab₅-ba-e
[...] mah-am₃ cag₄-ta im-mi-ib₂-dug₄
inim-zu inim kug-ga-am₃ nij₂ cag₄ dug₃-ge-dam
/en-na-me-ce₃ du₁₄-da mu₂-mu₂-de₃ ba-an-dab₅-dab₅-be₂-ec
[...] X dab₅-ba-gin₇ dal la mu-na-ta-ed₂
[...] /ud\ du₇-du₇-gin₇ tec₂-bi mu-un-du₇-du₇
[...]/si-sa₂ ba?-na?-X-am₃ dug₃-ge-ec ha-ma-ja₂-ja₂
jic-hur me si-sa₂ ki-ur₃-me ga-ba-e-zu [Akk.: ina šubatišu]
d.en-ki lugal abzu-[ke₄] sa₂ pad₃-de₃ inim-ma gal-zu-me-en [Akk.: dīna dīna iqabbi]
ku₆ mucen-bi-da im-ma-ni-ib₂-/gi₄-[gi₄]
mucen e₂-kur-ra DU.DU-bi he₂-du₇ mu₇-mu₇-bi dug₃-[ga-am₃]
jic bancur kug d.en-lil₂-la₂-ta mucen palil-zu X[...]
e₂ dijir gal-gal-e-ne-ka za-pa-aj₂ mu-un-na-/ja₂-ja₂\ [...]
za-pa-aj₂-bi-ce₃ dijir da-nun-na im-ci-hul₂-hul₂-[le-ec]
kij₂-sig unu₂ gal dijir-re-e-ne-ke₄ me-te-ac im-mi-[ib-jal₂]
e₂-gal lugal-la-ke₄ ur₅-ca₄-bi dug₃-ga [...]
jic bancur d.cul-gi dumu d.en-lil₂-la₂-ka sa jan-/ce₃\ [... -il₂]
lugal zi /su₃-ud-[jal₂...] X X X[...]
X /pirij-bi /PAD?\ [...]-ge-ec [...]
ku₆ /nam-nun-na\ X [...] X X
ud-bi-a ku₆ mucen [...] X X [X]
[lines 179–181 missing]
[...] /kalam-ma mu-/un-X X
[line 183 missing]
[...] he₂-jal₂ ab sikil [...]
[...]-na d.en-/ki\ [...]/saj-e-ec mu-/un-rig₇\
[...]-/dab₅?-be₂-en X[...]-ninni₂
/abzu?\ eridugi-ga [...] mucen IGI X [X]
ku₆ mucen-bi-da a-da-min₃ dug₄-/ga\
mucen-e ku₆-e dirig-ga-a-ba
a-a d.en-ki za₃-mi₂

Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature (ETCSL c.5.3.5), Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Composite text of the Old Babylonian period, ca. 2000–1600 BCE. Transliteration accessed March 2026. Fragmentary lines noted with [...]. Manuscript variants from the original have been preserved in the transliteration where they appear in the ETCSL composite.

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