Among the great myths of Sumerian civilization, Lugale stands as the poem of cosmic order secured through violence. Ninurta, son of Enlil and warrior of the gods, goes to war against Asag — a demon of the mountain so terrible that even the fish fled from its aura, even the birds turned their heads away. The battle that follows is not merely a contest between god and monster; it is the battle that makes the world safe for agriculture, for the Tigris and the fields, for the decree of fates.

What gives the myth its strange power is what happens after the battle. Ninurta does not simply return victorious. He stops at the mountain and judges each stone in turn — the stones that had allied themselves with Asag, and the stones that had remained neutral or helpless. Each receives a fate: some are condemned to the grinding wheel, to the knife-sharpener's work, to be beaten like grain. Others are honored — consecrated to temples, assigned to the goldsmith and the jeweler, made worthy of offering and praise. The second half of the poem is this catalog of mineral destiny, and it has no equivalent in world literature.

The poem closes with a surprise: it is Nisaba, goddess of grain and writing, who is praised as the one who recorded these deeds. The weapon of war and the reed stylus are, in the end, the same act of ordering.

I. Opening Hymn

The king — his storm-aura is commanding.
Ninurta, foremost one, possessing great strength, who plunders the mountains,
unstoppable flood, who never rests, who lays the rebel lands low,
warrior standing ready, armed and poised for battle,
lord who holds the polished hand at the great mace,
who grinds the disobedient like grain —

Ninurta, king, son who rejoices in his father's strength,
warrior who covers the mountain with terror like a rising storm,

Ninurta, wearing the true crown — the lightning shoots ahead,
the great beard set with lapis lazuli, the serpent coiling in its own radiance,
tongue extending like a serpent beside the lion, splitting the mouth in a roar —

Ninurta, king, who in his own person surpasses Enlil,
warrior, great lurking shadow over the enemy,
Ninurta, spreading your dread over the land like a canopy,
fierce one who brings the rebel lands to bow before the assembly —

Ninurta, king, son who prostrates himself before his father for all eternity:

when he fills the lofty dais and throne with great awe,
when festivals are established, when he sits in their broad rejoicing,
when he drinks sweet wine together with An and Enlil,
when Bau watches over the prayers before the king,
when Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fates —

until then: his weapon gazes upon the mountain.

II. Sharur Speaks

Sharur called out from above to his lord:

Lord, great pillar of heaven, chief who fills the dais —
Ninurta, your word is not changed, your decrees are properly set.
My king, heaven has stooped to the ground for your sake.

Ninurta, warrior — the shameless one has given birth to Asag.
A child who never sat at its mother's lap,
who was nursed to strength on mother's milk —
my king, the one who grew up without knowing its father,
who battles with the back of a fist —
the male that raises its own aura, glowing before its form.

My warrior — let me go at your right side as your bull.

My king, one who returns to his city, who acts as a son to his mother —
in the mountain, it has upended everything, made its people perish.
In their name they called out: the stones called it their king.
In their midst, like a great wild bull, it raised its arm.

Shu-u, saggal, esi, u-si-um, kagen-na —
warrior, the great nu-gal stone, armed with gardum — it has plundered the city.
In the mountain it drove out all the light.
It dragged all the trees from the forest.
The gods prostrated themselves before it on the ground.

My king, the dais is forsaken — there is no arm to turn it back.
Ninurta, lord of lapis, whose judgment cuts through the land —
who can put their hands against Asag's radiant aura?
Who can stand against its brow and hold their ground?
At its touch, cold enters the bones and pierces the body.
Its eye has been set in its place.

My king, the mountain's tribute has been returned to its place.
Warrior, ask your father — what should be done?
Son of Enlil, lord of great arm, why press your face down to the ground?
My king, let your great power give counsel back.
Ninurta, your right side — the warrior without equal — is declared.
Let it be seized with power.

Warrior, your kingship comes to bring the name.
Ninurta, the signs of the Abzu-me's have been completed.
The eye drums. The dwelling has changed.
Asag, on the dark day at the boundary outskirts, is entering.
Hold the snare of the gods.
The mountain eagle — the claws have struck into it.
Ninurta, lord, son of Enlil — why delay?

When Asag rises, its heaviness cannot be stopped.
From its host, the mouth has driven them — the army cannot approach.
Its strong roaring back turns the weapon away.
Ninurta — the mace with the lion's head cannot pierce its body.
The warrior is created like no other.

III. The Disturbance of Heaven

He lay down. An stopped. Earth sat at his feet.
With that, he turned back — Enlil was disturbed, he went out from the Ekur.
The mountain was destroyed, the land grew dark, the Anunna scattered.
The warrior shattered the thigh-bone — the gods fled.
The Anunna drifted over the earth like sheep.
The lord, when he rose, reached up to heaven.

Ninurta, going to battle, drew his full strength —
like a storm he moved, riding the eight winds toward the rebel lands.

The long spear stretched its arm.
The mace opened its mouth to the mountain.
The weapon ate the enemy as one.

The evil south wind built its wall in the trees.
The rainstorm stood ready for them.
Before the warrior, great city walls were raised ahead.
Dust rose and fell.
Hills were covered then raised — scattered dust, rising flame.
A dark stormcloud rained, fire was flung wide.
Fire spread through the land.

The great tree at its base — he overturned it, cutting down the grove.
In the land the roots split, bitter water fell.
The reed beds were given to fire, blood bathed the sky.
The heart was pierced, the people scattered.

Now on that day the field was black as pitch.

At the edge of heaven, in the darkness — so may it remain.
An stopped and sat; his heart was seized.
Enlil fell pressed away to the side.
The Anunna hid themselves against the walls.
Like a pigeon frightened from its house, they cried out.

The great mountain Enlil called out to Ninlil:

My wife — my son has not sat still. Why did I raise him up?
Lord, glory of the Ekur, great mighty king, his father —
cedar growing in the Abzu, shadow broad and wide —
son who makes my heart tremble — do not sit still.
Who shall take my hand?
The weapon beloved of the lord, dear to its king, obeying —

Sharur called out to lord Ninurta:

[Lines 193–219: substantially fragmentary — gap in the surviving manuscripts.]

IV. Sharur's Battle Song

Sharur called out to lord Ninurta:

Warrior, great shadow of battle —
Ninurta, king, the great battle-mace of heaven does not count the enemy.
Strong one who builds in the rebel lands on a dark night, who harvests the flood.
The face of battle was set — it was struck in the mouth.
Ninurta, like a net it cast upon you, like a great reed-screen it let you fall.
Lord, stormwind of heaven — the nail plunges into the weapon.

Ninurta, warrior — may the names of what you have slain be proclaimed:
Ku-li-an-na, the white-gleaming serpent,
bronze, the strong one, warrior of six heads,
Magilum, lord Saman-ana,
Gud-alim, lord of the date-palm,
the Anzu bird, the serpent of seven heads —
Ninurta, slay them in the mountain!

Lord, do not hold back — do not wait for the great battle.
The weapon, the striker, the festival of young men —
the skipping-rope of Inanna has not raised your arm.
Lord of great battle, do not be restrained — set the foot to the ground.
Ninurta, put Asag to the earth step by step in the mountain.

Warrior with a great green crown,
first-born whom Ninlil cherishes with beauty,
true lord, born for the prince,
warrior growing horns like the moon,
king of the land, who gives long life,
great strength rending heaven —
warrior without equal —
do not let Asag make your man enter the mountain.

Warrior, son of the father of silent mouth,
great of wisdom, coming out beyond cunning,
Ninurta, son of Enlil, wide-eared, grain of the gods —

[Lines 155–162: fragmentary.]

He set his face. The foremost soldier went to battle.
His long spear — he stretched the arm and laid it against the wind.
He directed the gishilar with the leathery harness straight —
the mountain was destroyed and subdued.

At the tooth-border of the battle, at Ninurta's war boundary —
Utu could not stand; Nanna entered.
In the mountain, he tracked the darkness — the day was sealed with pitch.

V. The Battle with Asag

Asag rose at the head of the battle.
An's weapon was uprooted, seized at its base, taken into his hand.
Like a serpent the head pressed down to the earth.
The great wolf of the enemy —
his tail stretched and slashed and destroyed them —
pouring water away at its side.

Asag, against Ninurta, son of Enlil —
it crumbled before him like a wall.
Like a curse it roared out fiercely.
Like the sharp snake of the land it turned back the alarm.
The mountain dried out; the tamarisk was dragged away.
In the ground the skin split and mange was placed.
The reed beds were given to fire.
The heart was pierced; the people scattered.

Now on that day — Utu blessed him.

The lord spread out his cloth and washed his weapon.
The warrior wiped his brow and set the cry in the silence.
Like a ferry crossing the dead of Asag —
the gods of the land stood behind him.
Like worn-out hares they crouched for him.
The lord, in his great manner —
Ninurta, son of Enlil — they greeted him with raised hands.

Sharur the mace rightly praised the lord:

Lord of the great meš-tree, warrior of the fertile field —
warrior, who is like you?
My king — it is finished for you, it stands for you, it has been born for you.
Ninurta, from this time forward, no one shall rise up in the mountain.

[Lines 315–333: fragmentary — several lines lost from the surviving manuscripts.]

From this day forward, Asag — let its name be that of stone.
Its name shall be pronounced as stone, as stone proclaimed.
May its outer face be the face of the grave.
May its warrior nature belong to the lord.
The weapon that stands ready for the corners — the one that decrees fates.
The battle's great voice — may it be driven from the land.

VI. The Transformation of the Mountains

In those days the water from the clean places below the ground
was not flowing to the fields.
Cool water, spreading and broadening —
in the passing days it was lifted up in the mountain and made to rest.

The gods of the land stood still.
They took up their hoes and their baskets.
So was their yoke.

The people called out to the house of the one who had called to them.
The Tigris was not carrying its head up to the sky.
Its tail was not laid down to the sea.
Sweet water — no nesag-grain was drawn up for those who had called for it.

Sick hunger — nothing was born.
The little canals — no one washed their hands in them; the dust did not rise in them.
The rightly tended fields — water did not fall in them; no dikes were made.
In all the lands, the furrow was not set; the grain was scattered.

The lord applied his great wisdom.
Ninurta, son of Enlil, considered it carefully.
He heaped up stones in the mountain.
He spread them like a floating cloud —
like a great wall he placed them before the land.
He set the crossbar at the center of the world.
The warrior built it cleverly — the city was bound and subdued.
With the strong water he matched the stones.

Now the water from the mountain rises no longer from below.
It is gathered up and turned.
In the swamp he made it be consumed.
He gathered it together and gave it to the Tigris.
The carp-filled waters of the fields were poured into the channels.

Now, from this day forward, all that is in the world —
the king of the land, lord Ninurta — they shall rejoice in him for all time.
To the fields he gave sweet water.
The harvest of the orchards he raised up.
The grain mounds and grain heaps — he stacked their necks high.
The lord went out from the land.
The gods blessed it with favor.
Ninurta satisfied his father's praise.

VII. Ninmah Comes to the Mountain

In those days, to a woman, compassion moved within him.
Ninmah could not sleep at the place where he had gone.
She wrapped herself in wool as heavy as a ewe.
She spoke the great lament for the mountain's pathless ways.

My lord — your great arm, the mountain cannot lift.
Warrior great as the sky, whose arm no one can reach —
storm fierce on the earth, venom placed against the chest —
lord, the proper crown, the crown that adorns the head —
I am proud, and my husband went and drew no boundary for me.
My offspring — Mulil's son has not heeded my eyes.
Good young man, he spoke to the young woman:
"I will go alone — I will go to the lord, to the eternal peace."
My neck was cut and she descended to sorrow.
"I shall go alone — I shall go to the lord, to the eternal rest."
On that one side I marveled.

He answered her. He spoke for her sake.

The one who follows righteousness —
Ninurta, warrior, judge, son of Mulil,
great warrior, great deeds loved by his father — may he be exalted.

The woman sang him a holy song.
Ninmah looked at the life before Ninurta's eyes and called out to him.

As a woman I went to the mountain.
Ninmah, for my sake, entered the rebel lands.
In the fierce battle-awe where I was not spared —
warrior that I am, I set the heaps.
Let the mountain be its name. Let you be its lady.

Now is the fate that Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, Ninhursag —

May fragrant plants grow in its belly.
May its gorges bear honey and wine.
May cedar, cypress, zabalum, and box tree fill its slopes.
Like a garden let good things be set at hand.
May the mountain rise with the divine fragrance.
Let gold and silver flow through it —
let bronze and tin gleam through it and be fashioned.
Let the mountain teem with wild animals.
Let the mountain put forth all the four-legged creatures.

You are the lady — righteous as heaven, awesome as Enlil,
great goddess who hates wicked words,
good woman, Ninhursag, holy maiden,
Nintur who catches the arm of peace —
the divine me's of great lordship are given to you; may you raise them.

The lord set the fate for the mountain.
He went to the holy shrine of Nippur.
The true woman, great in me, lady of the builder's heart —
Aruru, great sister of Enlil — stood at his chest.

Great warrior — warrior, of what you have slain —
the lord, as his father had spoken: his word was not changed, his decree not reversed.

The lord called out to the u-stone. His heart answered.
The lord, in the fierce anger of the land, spoke a word to it.

VIII. The Stone Decrees

The Na-u Stone

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Na-u — you rose up against me in the mountain,
as though taking my hand, as though seizing me,
as though bringing a death-decree upon my fate,
as though you — though I am lord Ninurta — had frightened me from my great dwelling.

Strong young man — the great wall crumbles before you.
May lions rend you to pieces.
May the young men scatter you like grain.
May your family rush at you — may the teeth come out.

Young man — your cry shall become the cry of abundance,
spent like the gansum plant.
Wild bull — the gifts placed for you —
na-u, from the weapon, the wolf of battle:
I am the lord — na-u, may your name be declared as gug-stone.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, na-u, pierced below, marked with holes —
so may it be.
Its outer face shall be the face of the grave.
Its warrior nature shall belong to the lord.

The Shu-u and Ga-surra Stones

The warrior spoke to the shu-u and ga-surra stones:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Shu-u — as if you had raised your head against me in the mountain,
like a wild bull stretching in the dusty land,
raising your arm in the sand against my arm —
you were covered by my great radiant terror.

Young man — may the knives cut you to pieces.
Ga-surra — let the copper pound you.
May your variegated colors be fashioned from you.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, shu-u and ga-surra shall be so.

The Esi Stone

The warrior spoke to the esi stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Esi — with heavy eyes you stood before me.
You did not raise your arm for me, you did not bow your head to me.
You lied — alone, the warrior who was supposed to be at my side.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, whom no one equals — you declared it.
May the ones from the upper mountain rise up against you.
May the ones from the lower mountain press down upon you.
Copper — strong, like skin — may it cover you.
Lord that I am — may the great arm of warrior-strength work upon you.
May they pile upon you. May the lord's hand seize you.
May your scattered parts serve in my palace.
May your head be smooth — may you serve among the slave-women.
Your name — may it be quickly declared.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, esi shall be so.

The Na Stone

The warrior spoke to the na stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Na — you rose against me in the mountain.
Like a pig, do not lie down to sleep.
Do not go crouching to the work — the small ones are spent.
May your family go back to their water.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, na shall be so.

The Elel Stone

The lord spoke to the elel stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Elel — wise one, you grew up in the quarrelsome mountain,
but you spread your radiant terror over my rebels
and called my name in the land.
May my crafted vessel be set in the shrine.
May the months' sides be filled in their time.
May the great weapon-striker — the warrior whose death brings completion — hold you properly.
May my great courtyard's foundation be set.
May the land look at you with joy. May the mountains lift you and admire you.
Warrior — may your shrine be held with great abundance for the peoples.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, elel shall be so.

The Ka-gen-na Stone

The warrior spoke to the ka-gen-na stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Ka-gen-na — you called out to me from the rebel lands.
You cried out — my hand did not give you proper answer.
You did not hold down my feet in the mountain.

Step at my feet. May Utu's office be yours.
May you be justice in the judgment, proclaiming righteousness among the nations.
May your name be called before the goldsmith.
May ka-gen-na remain alive as long as you live, until your life's end.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, ka-gen-na shall be so.

The Gish-nu-ghal Stone

The warrior spoke to the gish-nu-ghal stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Gish-nu-ghal — your skin glows like sunlight, pure and bright.
You washed yourself clean — the young man of the palace, this befits you.
In my single hand you were raised.
The head of my mountain — it pressed to the ground.
My weapon did not strike you. The arm did not turn away.

Warrior, be my battle-shout.
May your good name be called.
May the storerooms of the land hold you. May your seal be theirs.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, gish-nu-ghal shall be so.

The Algamesh Stone

The lord turned to the algamesh stone with a concealed face.
In the fierce anger of the land he spoke a word to it.

Algamesh — how you came to me,
the craftsman's work that bears the passing days —
my craftsman's work: look upon it.

May it carry the stone's regular offerings.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, let the za-dim craftsmen use algamesh.

The Dushi-a Stone and the Gemstone Assembly

The warrior spoke to the dushi-a stone.
Nir, gug, za-gin-na spoke.
Amas-pa-e3, sha-ba, hu-ri-zum, gug-gazi, mar-ha-li,
e-gi-zag-ga, gi-rin-hi-li-ba — all of them — spoke.

The lord — breath of the kushumud —

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

What are you doing — fashioned together from male and female?
You did not sin; your hand did not go against the wall.
In the place of speech you grew to fullness before me.
You grew to fullness in the counsel I gave.
Like a general you were stationed before the assembly.

May you be found in honey and in wine.
May you be rightly honored among the pure.
May the heads of the nations fall before you — your feet receiving them.
May you be the front door, the standing gate.
May the strong one bow his neck before you.
May joy pass continuously through, the day declining, drawing near to the ground.
May you rise on the day of the dark ground.
May you eternally satisfy and greet the young man, the peoples of the land.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, dushi-a shall be so.

The Giri-zu-galla Stone

The warrior turned to the giri-zu-galla stone with a concealed face.
In the fierce anger of the land he spoke a word to it.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Giri-zu-galla — you two combined into one: what is this to me?
Like a great wild bull you rose in the mountain against me.
You did not stand straight for me — you pressed against my head.
Like a dais you split and made a man fall.

May the smith pound you with his hammer.
May the knife-sharpener work you.
May the tools of the smith be at hand — may the pounding-pin strike you.
Young man of great strange strength —
may the great response come back like water; may the malt be ground.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, giri-zu-galla shall be so.

The Im-an Stone

The warrior spoke to the im-an stone.
The al-li-ga stone spoke.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Im-an — you turned back the roaring of the mountain,
the fierce roar of battle — you struck back.
Like fire you were tied up.
Like a day you were swept.
Like a growing plant you were cut down.
Like a growing plant you were burned.
Who carried you in hand?

Im-an — your cry is nothing to me; your knowledge counts for nothing.
Im-an and al-li-ga — do not equal the palace.
May you be set aside as a pool used for pouring malt.
May the grain-droppings of the malt be your joy; may scattering be what you are.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, im-an shall be so.

The Mashda, Duba-an, and U-ru-tum Stones

The lord turned to the mashda stone.
The duba-an and u-ru-tum spoke.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Mashda, duba-an — I will strip you bare, burning you.
U-ru-tum — let no one stand with you.
Ga-surra — let your back be thrown face-down in the mountain.
In the rebel land grow like a weed.
As the mountain once stood against me.

Mashda — may they run you like sheep.
Duba-an — may you be beaten down and stripped.
U-ru-tum — like a mace, cut a furrow in the plow.
The holy weapon of the gods —
the fierce knife shall continually strike you.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, mashda shall be so.

The Mar-hushu Stone

The lord turned to the mar-hushu stone.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Mar-hushu — at my place you sat at my side and waited.
You were seized.
The offense of your city was cast aside.

May you be the bowl, the vessel — let water filter through you.
Mar-hushu — may you be decorated with colors.
May the lord of the feast be pleased by you.
May the pure hand take you in a holy act.
Mar-hushu — be suited to the house of the gods.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, mar-hushu shall be so.

The Hashtum Stone

The warrior spoke to the hashtum stone:

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Hashtum — you turned back the roaring of the mountain,
the fierce roar of battle — you struck it back.
Your echo in the mountain turned back and was heard.
Young man — may hashtum, the touchstone, bear its name.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, hashtum shall be the stone of testing.

The Dur-ul Stone

The lord turned to the dur-ul stone.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

Dur-ul — you gave yourself before Ninurta's face
and stood in the mountain.
In your great wisdom, you held the bolt.

Lord that I am — may you cut the bolt.
My king — as dur-ul stood before lord Ninurta, as it was declared —
may your name be great when it is called.
May the great wisdom be traded for bright things.
May the nations sing you like a musician with the flute.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, dur-ul shall be so.

The Sheg-sheg and Associated Stones

The lord turned to the sheg-sheg stone.
En-ge-en, the dezim stone spoke.
Ug-gun, ma-da-nu-um, sag-gir-mud — they all spoke.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

[Lines 629–630: fragmentary.]

...touching and touching again —
us-sa, us-shag — consumed inside like a leopard's foot.
Now in your fellowship of touching —
the one who comes to you: may they cool and press against your neck.
Who carried you in hand?

May the weapon be for you. May the door be set.
May the strong one bow his neck against you.
May joy pass continuously through, declining through the day, drawing near to the earth.
May it rise up on the dark day.
May it always greet and satisfy the young man, the peoples of the land.

Now is the fate Ninurta decreed:
from this day forward, sheg-sheg shall be so.

The Kurgaranum Stone

The warrior spoke to the kurgaranum stone.
The bal stone spoke.

The lord — fragrant green of the mountain —

Ninurta, son of Enlil, decrees the fate:

The one who came out and said: I am ready —
let him be truly piled at the right road.
Young man — the one praised by the praiser —
the small craftsman was received with good care.
The festival of the ghost — may it be made good.
The ninth day of the month — may it be rightly done for you.
According to the rites of Ninhursag —

The warrior fills the mountain. Walking in the steppe —
the people went out like roots — the great arm ...

[Lines 650–651: fragmentary.]

IX. The Return

Ninurta rejoiced, going to his beloved boat.
The lord set foot on the Makar-nunta-e-a.
The peoples of the shore sang sweetly to him.
They rightly praised the lord.

To Ninurta, son of Enlil, they offered prayers for all eternity.

The gods who surpass all warriors —
lord Ninurta, king of the gods, lord of the Anunna —
at his true right side, the beard hung heavy with dew.
The water went out against the enemy; he cast them down.

Your great greatness — who can match it?
Warrior — unstoppable flood, chest that cannot be stopped —
Enki and Ninkil cannot equal your head.
Warrior — city plunderer, who lays the neck of the mountain —
son of Enlil — who can surpass you?

Ninurta, lord Ninurta, son of Enlil — warrior, who is like you?

Your name is at my right — as my decree it is grasped.
In your house the proper things shine before you.
In your holy place the dust has been lifted for you.
Let your feast be greatly multiplied.
Let your holy rites be properly completed.
May the name for life's duration be spoken fully — may it spread over the land.

Let the lord's heart in heaven be appeased.
In these things — Enlil, to Ninurta —
let the holy maiden Bau rise daily before him.
Let them speak of the lord with the first-fruits boat.

Let the boat go before him with its splendor —
the Makar-nunta-e-a stretches its holy arm far.

Warrior — the weapon of battle — to his peace.
The Anunna — all of them — bowed breast to the ground.
The forehead pressed to the earth; the hands and chest submitted.
The lord offered up a prayer, a supplication.

[Lines 684–701: fragmentary — several lines broken or lost.]

X. Enlil's Decree and the Praise of Nisaba

Lord Ninurta — like the great solar flood —
may your neck be raised up to heaven.
Your father Enlil decrees your fate.

King, battle of the rebel lands, storm of the sky — may it be offered at the head.
Weapon, rainstorm — give fire to the mountain.
Warrior — offered at the head of heaven and earth.

My king — may your road be clear in your day.
Ninurta — may your going in the mountain carry trust.
Like a wolf being released from a snare —
in your day, in the rebel lands, may the sweet word stand.

The mountain that was given to you — let it not return to its place.
Let its city be numbered among the dust-heaps.
Let its great thrones not be sat upon.
The exalted mace of heaven — let the good thing not be changed.
Long life — the sign of Enlil.
King, may heaven's gift be yours.

Warrior — Asag you slew.
Lord — you built the heap.
The stone — you matched it, as you declared.
The dragon roared back — you raised it.

Warrior — the water set above the head, the foot placed to the ground.
The right field — his hand returned.
The plow held abundance, bringing it out.
The lord set the furrow to stand.
Ninurta, son of Enlil — the grain mounds and grain heaps, he stacked their necks high.

The lady — she who came out from her me, rightly spoken, surpassing in greatness —
Nisaba, true woman, great of wisdom, who surpasses all the lands,
lady Nisaba, whose eye is knotted to sovereignty and kingship —
great in the word of the world,
endowed with great wisdom, offered at the head by Enki from the holy hill.

Ninurta, son of Enlil, stood beside her.
Woman of the star of heaven, born of the prince from the Abzu, greatly greened —
lady Nisaba — fed inward by the heart,
the single plan that is formed, the counsel that goes far.

[Lines 720–725: fragmentary.]

She proclaims the word rightly to the people.

Colophon

Sumerian mythological composition: Lugale (ETCSL c.1.6.2), also known as Ninurta's Exploits or Ninurta and the Stones. A composition in 726 lines, classified in the Sumerian literary canon as a šir-sud (a praise-song of exaltation). One of the longest and most elaborate Sumerian mythological works — the myth of Ninurta's battle against the demon Asag, the organization of the mountain waters, the naming of the mountain range as Hursag, and the systematic decree of fates for the stones of the earth. The text survives in multiple Old Babylonian manuscripts.

Translated from the Sumerian transliteration at ETCSL (Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature), University of Oxford, c.1.6.2, accessed March 2026. The full composite transliteration is reproduced below in the Source Text section. Lines 193–219, 315–333, 629–630, 650–651, 684–701, and 720–725 are substantially fragmentary in the surviving manuscripts; gaps are marked in the translation. Several stone-decree stanzas have partially legible lines; the translation renders the clear portions and marks gaps honestly.

The standard edition of the text is van Dijk, J.J.A. (1983), LUGAL UD ME-LÁM-bi NIR-ĞÁL: Le récit épique et didactique des Travaux de Ninurta, du Déluge et de la Nouvelle Création, 2 vols., E.J. Brill. Jacobsen, Thorkild (1987), The Harps That Once: Sumerian Poetry in Translation, includes a partial translation consulted for structural reference after independent drafting. The ETCSL reference translation tr.1.6.2 was accessible and consulted after the independent draft for verification at damaged passages; no phrase in this translation reproduces or paraphrases it.

Blood Rule: this translation is independently derived from the Sumerian transliteration. No existing English translation was consulted before or during the initial drafting process. Reference translations were reviewed afterward to verify readings at broken passages only.

Source: ETCSL c.1.6.2 — Lugal-e ud me-lám-bi nir-ĝál, Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, University of Oxford.
Scribal credit: Liberation Translator (Run 59), Good Works Archive, New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026-03-22.

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Source Text: Lugal-e ud me-lám-bi nir-ĝál (ETCSL c.1.6.2)

Sumerian transliteration of Lugal-e ud me-lám-bi nir-ĝál (ETCSL c.1.6.2).
Source: Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, University of Oxford (etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk).

[0.]  an lugal diĝir-re-e-ne-ke4 /nir-ĝal2\
[1.]  lugal ud me-lem4-bi nir-ĝal2
[2.]  dnin-urta saĝ-kal usu maḫ tuku kur a-ga-na laḫ4
[3.]  a-ma-ru mir-DU nu-kuš2-u3 ki-bal ĝa2-ĝa2
[4.]  ur-saĝ me3-še3 ti-na gub-bu
[5.]  en šu silig-ga ĝišmi-tum-še3 ĝal2
[6.]  gu2 nu-še-ga še-gin7 gur10 su-ub-bu
[7.]  dnin-urta lugal dumu a-a-ni kalag-ga-ni-še3 ḫul2-la
[8.]  ur-saĝ ni2 ulu3-gin7 kur-ra dul-lu
[9.]  dnin-urta aga zid dŠE.TIR-an-na igi nim ĝir2 du7-du7
[10.] sun4 nun-e a za-gin3 ru-a ušum ni2-ba gur-gur
[11.] zag piriĝ-e muš-e-eš eme ed2-de3 gu3-an-ne2-si ka si-il-le
[12.] dnin-urta lugal den-lil2-le ni2-te-na dirig-ga
[13.] ur-saĝ sašu2-uš-gal lu2-erim2-ra šu2-a
[14.] dnin-urta ni2 ĝissu-zu kalam-ma la2-a
[15.] sumur ki-bal-še3 tum3 unken-bi dul-dul
[16.] dnin-urta lugal dumu a-a-ni-ir su3-ud-bi-še3 giri17 šu ĝal2
[17.] ĝišgu-za barag maḫ-e si-a-ni ni2 gal gur3-ru-ni
[18.] ezen ĝar-ra-ni ḫul2-la-na daĝal-bi tuš-a-ni
[19.] an den-lil2-da zag ša4-a-ni kurun dug3-ge-da-ni
[20.] dba-u2 a-ra-zu lugal-la-ka u3-gul ĝa2-ĝa2-da-ni
[21.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam tar-re-da-ni
[22.] ud-bi-a en-na ĝištukul-a-ni kur-ra igi mi-ni-ĝal2
[23.] šar2-ur3-e an-ta lugal-bi-ir gu3 mu-na-de2-e
[24.] en ĝišgal an-na gu2-en barag-ge si
[25.] dnin-urta dug4-ga-zu nu-kur2-ru nam tar-ra-zu šu zid-de3-eš ĝar
[26.] lugal-ĝu10 an-e ki sig7-ga ĝiš3 im-ma-dug4
[27.] dnin-urta ur-saĝ ni2 nu-zu a2-sag3 mu-un-ši-ib-tu-ud
[28.] dumu um-me ga nu-tuš-a ne3 ga gu7-a
[29.] lugal-ĝu10 buluĝ3 a-a nu-zu gab2-gaz kur-ra-ka
[30.] šul IR-ta e3-a igi teš2 nu-ĝal2-la
[31.] {dnin-urta} nitaḫ ni2 il2-il2-i alan-da ḫul2-la
[32.] ur-saĝ-ĝu10 gud-dam zag-ĝu10 ga-bi2-ib2-us2-e
[33.] lugal-ĝu10 lu2 iri-ni-še3 gur-ra ama-ni-še3 ak-a
[34.] kur-ra šag4 i-ni-bal numun-bi ba-tal2-tal2
[35.] teš2-ba mu bi2-ib2-sa4 na4u2 lugal-bi-še3
[36.] murub4-ba am gal-gin7 a2 ba-ni-ib-il2-il2-i
[37.] na4šu-u na4saĝ-kal na4esi na4u2-si-um na4ka-gen6-na
[38.] ur-saĝ na4nu11 gar3-ra-du-um-bi iriki im-ma-ab-laḫ4
[39.] kur-ra zu2 kušu2-a mu-ne-mu2 ĝiš mi-ni-ib-ur3-ur3
[40.] a2-ba iriki-ba diĝir-be2-ne ki-bi-še3 ba-an-gam-e-eš
[41.] lugal-ĝu10 ur5-re barag ba-ri a2 tu-lu nu-gi4-e
[42.] dnin-urta en za-gin7 kalam-ma di-bi ši-in-ga-kud-de3
[43.] a2-sag3-a me-lem4-ba a-ba šu mi-ni-ib-tu-tu
[44.] saĝ-ki-ba gal-gal a-ba ib2-ta-ĝa2-ĝa2
[45.] su2 im-sag3 ni2 su-e bi2-ib-us2
[46.] igi-bi ki-bi-še3 ba-ni-ib-ĝar
[47.] lugal-ĝu10 kur-re nidba-bi ki-bi-še3 ba-ab-su
[48.] ur-saĝ a-a-zu-še3 en3 mu-e-ši-tar
[49.] dumu den-lil2-la2 en a2 maḫ-zu-uš ki mu-e-ši-ib2-kiĝ2
[50.] lugal-ĝu10 kalag-ga-zu-še3 ad mu-e-ši-ib-gi4
[51.] dnin-urta zag-zu ur-saĝ 1 nu-tuš-a ba-ab-dug4
[52.] UR.GA-ru-še3 a2 mu-e-ši-ib-aĝ2
[53.] ur-saĝ nam-lugal-zu tum3-de3 tar-tar-ra mu-un-ĝal2
[54.] dnin-urta me abzu-zu šu si sa2-bi ĝiškim i-im-til3
[55.] igi im-sag3-sag3 ki-tuš im-kur2-re
[56.] a2-sag3-e ud šu2-uš ki-sur-ra a2-ba mi-ni-ib-ku4-ku4
[57.] ĝišrab3 diĝir-re-e-ne na-dab5-en
[58.] taraḫ an-na kur umbin ba-e-zukum
[59.] dnin-urta en dumu den-lil2-la2 a-na zig3-bi mu-un-gi4
[60.] a2-sag3 zig3-ga-bi šu la-ba-ĝal2 dugud-da-bi im-gu-ul
[61.] ugnim-bi-ta KA ib2-ta-de6 erin2-bi igi la-ba-teĝ3-ĝe26
[62.] ur5-ra kalag-ga-bi saĝ im-gi4 ĝištukul-e ĝiš la-ba-ab-kiĝ2
[63.] dnin-urta ŠEN.ŠITA2 šukur maḫ-e su-bi nu-dar-e
[64.] ur-saĝ na-me-gin7 na-ra-dim2
[65.] en me maḫ-e a2-kuš3 sud-sud
[66.] še-er-zid me-te diĝir-re-e-ne
[67.] gud muš3-ba am gal murgu tuku lal3 gal-zu ur5-ra
[68.] dnin-urta alan-za den-ki-ke4 igi bar-bar-ra-ĝu10
[69.] du4-ta-u18-lu en dumu den-lil2-la2 a-na ak-ĝu10
[70.] en-e u3-u8 bi2-in-dug4 an ba-sag3 ki ĝiri3-ni-še3 ba-tuš
[71.] a2-ba i-ni-in-gi4 den-lil2 ba-suḫ3 e2-kur-ra ba-ta-e3
[72.] kur ba-gul ki ud-ba ba-ku10-ku10 da-nun-na ba-tar-ra-aš
[73.] ur-saĝ-e ḫaš2 tibir-ra bi2-in-ra diĝir ba-bir-bir-re-eš
[74.] da-nun-na udu-gin7 ki-šar2-ra ba-e-e11-ne-re7re-eš
[75.] en zig3-ga-ni an-ne2 im-us2
[76.] dnin-urta me3-še3 du-ni gaba danna bi2-in-sa2
[77.] ud-dam i3-du7-du7 ki-bal-še3 tum9 8 mu-un-u5
[78.] ĝiš-gid2-da a2 i3-ur4-ur4-re
[79.] ĝišmi-tum-e kur-še3 ka ba-ab-du8
[80.] ĝištukul-e gu2-erim2-še3 teš2-bi i3-gu7-e
[81.] im-ḫul u18-lu ĝiš-a mu-un-du3
[82.] mar-uru5 še-ba mu-un-ne-en-gub
[83.] ur-saĝ-ra uru2 maḫ saĝ gi4-a igi-še3 mu-un-na-ĝen
[84.] saḫar i3-zi-zi saḫar i3-ĝa2-ĝa2
[85.] du6-du6 dul2-la2 mu-un-sig9-ge4 a-ga-zig3 i3-tu11-be2
[86.] u3-dub2 i3-šeĝ3 izi i3-sud-sud-sud izi lu2 ba-an-zal-e
[87.] ĝiš maḫ ur2-bi-a mu-un-bal-e ĝištir-ra guru5 i-i
[88.] ki šag4-bi šu ba-ši-ri-ri a gig-ga i-i
[89.] id2idigna i3-suḫ3 i3-ur4-ur4 i3-lu3 šu im-tu-bu-ur
[90.] ĝišma2-kar-nun-ta-e3-a me3-še3 ĝiri3 im-mi-ib2-ul4-e
[91.] uĝ3-bi ki du-bi nu-un-zu e2-ĝar8 du3 i3-ak-ne
[92.] mušen dal-le-bi saĝ ib2-ta-de6 a2-bi ki mu-un-teĝ3-ĝe26-e
[93.] ku6-bi engur-ra ud mi-ni-ib-ra ka mu-un-ba-ba-e
[94.] edin-na maš2-anše-bi u2-ku-uk mi-ni-ib-dug4 bir5-re-eš šu mi-ni-ḫu-uz3
[95.] a-ĝi6 zig3-bi gul-bi kur gul-gul
[96.] ur-saĝ dnin-urta ki-bal-a im-ma-DU i3-tuku
[97.] lu2 im2-ma-bi kur-ra im-ra iri-ba bu-du-ug im-za
[98.] gud a-ra-bi giriš-gin7 ĝir2-ĝir2-e ugu-ugu-bi mu-un-šu2
[99.] šu-bi u2KI.KAL-gin7 teš2 ĝiš mu-un-ri
[100.] saĝ-bi e2-ĝar8-e kaš4 bi2-ib-kar-re
[101.] kur-ra ĝiš-nu11-bi dili ba9-ra2 nu-ĝa2-ĝa2
[102.] zi-bi gaba-bi i-im-il2-il2
[103.] uĝ3-bi tur5-ra šu gu2 zag bi2-ib2-la2
[104.] ki-a aš2 im-mi-ib-sar-re-ne
[105.] ud tud-da a2-sag3 ud ḫa-lam-ma-bi-a ba-ni-ib-ĝa2-ĝa2-ne
[106.] en-e ki-bal-a-še3 uš11 ze2-a i-ni-in-de2
[107.] du-ni ze2 mu-un-us2 lipiš sumur mu-un-tag
[108.] id2 maḫ-gin7 mi-ni-ib-be2 i3-ur4-ru gu2-erim2-še3
[109.] ĝištukul saĝ piriĝ3-ĝa2-ni-a šag4 mu-un-na-ab-zalag-ge
[110.] mušen-gin7 i3-dal-e kur mu-na-ab-zukum-e
[111.] nu-še-ga tum3-de3 a2 dub2 i3-ak-e
[112.] a-na ak-e zu-zu-de3 an-ur2 im-niĝin2-niĝin2
[113.] ul du gaba mu-un-ru-gu2 inim-bi mu-un-na-ab-tum3
[114.] nu-kuš2-u3 la-ba-tuš-u3 a2-bi mar-uru5 de6
[115.] šar2-ur3-re en dnin-urta-ra a gu3 a-na bi2-ib-dab5
[116.] ad gi4-a kur-ra šu im-mi-ib-gi4-gi4
[117.] en dnin-urta-ra sig10-ge5 ak mu-na-bur2-bur2-re
[118.] inim dug4-ga a2-sag3-a gu-gin7 i3-si-il-le
[119.] ur-saĝ ni2-zu-še3 dug3-ge-eš mu-na-ab-be2
[120.] ĝištukul-e ki aĝ2-ra gu2-da mu-ni-in-la2
[121.] šar2-ur3-e en dnin-urta-ra gu3 mu-na-de2-e
[122.] ur-saĝ a-RU-ub sašu2-uš me3
[123.] dnin-urta lugal ĝiššita2 an-na erim2-še3 ŠID nu-ru-gu2
[124.] kalag-ga ud ki-bal-a du3 a-ĝi6-a buru14 su-su
[125.] lugal me3 igi im-ĝar KA-bi-a mu-un-ri-eš
[126.] dnin-urta sa-par3-gin7 u3-mu-e-dub gišutug maḫ-gin7 u3-mu-e-šub
[127.] en mir-DU an-na ĝišgag-a ĝištukul-e a tu5-bi2-ib2
[128.] dnin-urta ur-saĝ ug5-ga-za mu-bi ḫe2-pad3-de3
[129.] ku-li-an-na ušum niĝ2-babbar2-ra
[130.] urud niĝ2 kalag-ga ur-saĝ šeg9-saĝ-6
[131.] ma2-gi4-lum en dsaman-an-na
[132.] gud-alim lugal ĝišĝišnimbar
[133.] mušen anzudmušen muš-saĝ-7
[134.] dnin-urta kur-ra ḫe2-mu-e-ni-ug5
[135.] en me3 ne-en rib-ba-še3 ba-ra-ab-ši-ĝen-ne2-en
[136.] ĝištukul sag3-ge ezen nam-ĝuruš-a
[137.] ešemen dinana-ke4 a2-zu ba-ra-ni-zig3
[138.] en me3 la-ba-e-du-un na-ab-ul4-en ĝiri3 ki-a si-bi2-ib
[139.] dnin-urta a2-sag3-e kur-ra ĝiri3 mu-e-ši-ni-gub-gub
[140.] ur-saĝ aga-na gal sig7-ga
[141.] dumu-saĝ dnin-lil2-le ḫi-li-a nu-til-e
[142.] en zid en-ra nun-e tu-ud-da
[143.] ur-saĝ dsuen-gin7 si mu2-mu2
[144.] lugal kalam-ma-ra til3 ud su3-ra2
[145.] usu maḫ an-na-ra an ba9-ra2
[146.] a ur4-ra KA peš10 sa ur4-ra
[147.] dnin-urta en ni2 ḫuš ri-a kur-ra saĝ šum2-mu
[148.] ur-saĝ gal tab-ba nu-tuku-tuku
[149.] a2-še a2-sag3-ge nu-sig10-ge
[150.] dnin-urta na4ĝuruš-zu kur-ra nam-ba-ni-ib-ku4-ku4
[151.] ur-saĝ dumu ka silim-ma a-a-na
[152.] gal-zu sa2 galam-ma-ta ed3-de3
[153.] dnin-urta en dumu den-lil2-la2 ĝeštug2 daĝal diĝir še IB
[154.] en-e ḫaš2 mu-un-gid2 dur3ur3 mu-dur2-ru
[155.] [...] /zu2?\ keše2-da zag mu-ni-in-keše2
[156.] [...] /maḫ?\ su3-ra2-ni kur-ra bi2-in-la2
[157.] [...] X-gin7 uĝ3-ba mi-ni-in-e3
[158.] /bad3?\ [...] tuš-a-ke4 sa2 ba-an-dug4
[159.] me3 saĝ-gin7 ki-bal-a ba-an-ĝen
[160.] ĝiš-gid2-da-ni a2 im-ma-an-aĝ2 IM gu-bi-še3 im-la2
[161.] en-e ĝištukul-a-ni gu3 ba-an-de2 zu2 keše2-bi-še3 ba-ĝen
[162.] ur-saĝ-e me3-še3 saĝ ba-an-šum2 an ki-e ba-la2
[163.] ĝišilar kušgur21ur3-e si bi2-in-sa2 kur ba-gul ba-sal
[164.] zag zu2 keše2 me3 dnin-urta-ka-še3
[165.] ur-saĝ-e ĝištukul-a-ni-še3 da-da-ra di-da-ni
[166.] dutu la-ba-gub dsuen ba-an-kur9
[167.] kur-ra saĝ di-da ba-da-ḫa-lam ud esir-re-eš ba-an-du3
[168.] a2-sag3 me3 saĝ-ba mu-un-zig3
[169.] an nam ĝištukul-še3 ur2-ba mi-ni-in-bur12 šu im-ma-an-ti
[170.] muš-gin7 saĝ ki-a im-mi-ib2-be2
[171.] ur-idim lu2-erim2-še3 kun sud dim3-ma ug5-ge
[172.] a da-bi-a mu-un-sur-sur-re
[173.] a2-sag3 dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-še3 e2-ĝar8-gin7 mu-un-ši-gul-lu
[174.] ud nam-tag-ga-gin7 gu3 ḫuš bi2-ib2-ra
[175.] muš-saĝ-kal-gin7 kalam-ma šeg11 bi2-in-gi4
[176.] kur-ra a mi-ni-ib2-ḫad2 ĝiššinig mi-ni-ib2-ur3
[177.] ki-a su bi2-ib2-dar simx-ma bi2-ib2-ĝar
[178.] ĝiš-gi izi ba-ab-šum2 an-e uš2 bi2-ib2-tu5
[179.] šag4-ge ti ba-ab-bal uĝ3-bi sag2 ba-ab-dug4
[180.] i3-ne-eš2 ud-da a-šag4-ga uḫ3 gig2
[181.] me-da ur2 an-na ḫe-me-da-gin7 su2-a-še3 ur5 ḫe2-en-na-nam-ma-am3
[182.] an ib2-dub2 ba-tuš šag4 šu ba-ši-ib-ri
[183.] den-lil2 ib2-ur4-ur4 da-še3 im-ši-ib-ri
[184.] da-nun-na-ke4-ne e2-ĝar8-e ba-ab-ḫa-ḫa-za
[185.] tum12mušen-gin7 e2 ni2 te-ta gu3 im-ma-ni-ib2-be2
[186.] kur gal den-lil2-le dnin-lil2-ra gu3 mu-na-de2-e
[187.] nitalam-ĝu10 dumu-ĝu10 nu-ba-tuš ĝe26-e a-na mu-zi-zi
[188.] en teš2 e2-kur-ra lugal rab3 maḫ a-a-na
[189.] ĝišerin abzu-a mu2-a aga ĝissu daĝal-la
[190.] dumu ki ni2 dub2-bu-ĝu10 nu-ba-tuš šu-ĝu10 a-ba ba-gid2-i-de3
[191.] ĝištukul en-ra ki aĝ2 lugal-bi-ir ĝiš tuku
[192.] šar2-ur3-re en dnin-urta-ra
[193.] [...] nibruki-še3 a-a-ni-ir [...]
[194-219. Substantially fragmentary — gap in manuscripts.]
[220.] i3-ne-eš a2 im-ma-aĝ2 inim im-ma-ab-dab5-be2
[221.] [...]-ib-šar2 ĝiškim til3-la dirig nam-ba-ĝir2-ĝir2-re
[222.] [...]-a-ni a-šag4 ḫe2-em-mi-in-dab5 uĝ3 nam-ta-ab-la2-e
[223.] [...] gan2-e numun na-an-ga-ma-ab-kal-le
[224.] den-lil2-me-en nam a-na-tar-ra-ĝa2 mu-bi na-ab-ḫa-lam-e
[225.] ĝištukul-e /šag4?\ X X-bi im-ḫuĝ ḫaš2 ba-ni-in-ra
[226.] šar2-ur3-re dub3 i-ni-in-bad ki-bal-a i-in-bur2
[227.] /en\ dnin-urta-ra ḫul2-la-a inim mu-na-ni-ib-be2
[228.] /lugal\-[...] a-na bi2-in-dug4-ga-ta
[229.] a-ma-ru /uš7\ [...] lu2-ra su3-su3-de3
[230.] a2-sag3 ne3-ba šu a-ba-ni-ti ze2 ba-ni-in-sud
[231.] [dumu]-/ĝu10\ e2-kur-ra ḫu-mu-da-ku4-ku4
[232.] dnin-urta uĝ3-ĝu10 su3-ud-še3 me-teš2 ḫu-mu-i-i
[233.] en dug4-ga a-a-na-še3 ĝal2-la
[234.] usu maḫ den-lil2-la2 na-an-gub-be2-en
[235.] ud ki-bal kur zid2-gin7 peš-e-de3
[236.] dnin-urta kišib-la2 den-lil2-la2 ĝen-a na-ĝal2-en
[237.] lugal-ĝu10 a2-sag3 im-du3-a e2-ĝar8 gag ak-a
[238.] /bad3?\ dirig-ga šu nu-ru-gu2-da
[239-241. Fragmentary.]
[242.] [im]-ḫul saĝ-ĝa2 [...] mu-un-dab5-be2
[243.] /lugal\-ĝu10 me3 ĝiš-bar-/re\ [...] X-ba ba-ni-ib2-sa2-sa2
[244.] [d]nin-urta ĝištukul šukur [...]-ra [ka] /ba\-ab-/du8?\
[245-251. Fragmentary.]
[252.] me3-ni kur-ra bar-us2 ba-ni-ib-ra
[253.] šar2-ur3-e tum9 an-še3 ba-te uĝ3-bi sag2 ba-ab-dug4
[254.] KA.GAG.KA-gin7 i3-bu-bu-de3
[255.] aḫ6-bi iri ni2-ba mu-un-gul-e
[256.] ĝištukul zag saga11 di-da kur-re izi ba-šum2
[257.] mi-tum-e zu2 sis-a saĝ im-tu10-tu10
[258.] šita lipiš dirig-ga-e giri17 i3-dub-dub-be2
[259.] ĝiš-gid2-da ki-a ba-ab-du3 sur3 mud-e bi2-ib-tum3
[260.] ki-bal-a ga-gin7 ur-e ba-an-de2
[261.] lu2-erim2-e i-zig3 dam dumu-bi gu3 ba-an-de2
[262.] en dnin-urta-ra a2 nu-mu-e-zig3
[263.] ĝištukul-e kur saḫar-da im-da-ab-šar2 peš a2-sag3-a nu-ub-tuku4
[264.] šar2-ur3-e en-ra šu gu2-bi-še3 ba-an-na-ni-ib-ri-ri
[265.] e ur-saĝ a-na in-ga-ra-ĝal2-la
[266.] mir kur-ra-ke4 ba-ra-bi2-tag-tag-ge4
[267.] dnin-urta en dumu den-lil2-la2 ud-gin7 ši-in-ga-du3
[268.] u3-bu-bu-ul e3-a-bi nu-dug3-ga
[269.] aš-gin7 giri17 e3-a-bi nu-sig10-ge
[270.] en inim gib šag4-še3 nu-ra-gid2
[271.] lugal-ĝu10 diĝir-gin7 mu-ra-an-du3 a-ba saĝ ma-ra-ab-us2-e
[272.] ur-saĝ muru9-a ki ba-ab-us2 naĝa-am3 /ki?\ [...] /RI?\
[273.] dnin-urta dur3ur3 kur-ra mu-ni-in-sar-sar-re
[274.] ni2 me-lem4-e saḫar i3-ur4-ru šika im-e-eš i3-šeĝ3
[275.] ki-bal-a piriĝ zu2 sis mu-un-ra lu2 nu-mu-ni-in-dab5-be2
[276.] mir mir-ra lil2 teš2 im-gaz-za-ta ur5 tu11 mu-e-ak-e
[277.] amaš lil2-la2-en-da igi tab-ba a ki-a mi-ni-ib-ḫad2
[278.] ud teš2-e ri-a uĝ3 im-til a2-šu-du7 nu-tuku
[279.] lu2-erim2 zi šag4-ge nu-ĝal2-la
[280.] ur-saĝ gal en gaba-zu zig3-ga-ab sig9-ga-bi im-me
[281.] en-e kur-ra dum-dam mu-ni-ib-za šeg11 gi4 nu-mu-un-gul-e
[282.] ur-saĝ-e gu3 ki-bal nu-de2 IGI.U nam-mi-ĝar
[283.] niĝ2 im-ḫul-ḫul im-ZI ba-ab-gi4
[284.] gu2-erim2-e saĝ ĝiš mi-ni-ib-ra-ra kur-ra i-si-iš ba-ab-ĝar
[285.] en-e erin2 niĝ2 ga-ab-kar di-gin7 šu i3-ni10-ni10-e
[286.] ĝiš-nu11-gin7 kur-ra a2-sag3-ge igi ḫuš ba-ši-in-il2
[287.] ki-bal te-eš ba-ni-in-dug4-ga DI-bi mu-un-gul
[288.] dnin-urta erim2-e mu-ni-in-dib AB.ĜAR-gin7 mu-un-si
[289.] a2-sag3 ni2 me-lem4-bi gub-ba sig-še3 ba-ši-gub
[290.] sig-še3 ba-ši-gub nim-še3 u6 bi2-in-dug4
[291.] a-gin7 mu-un-lu3-lu3 kur-ra sag2 bi2-in-dug4
[292.] u2numun2-gin7 mu-un-bur12 u2numun2-gin7 mu-un-ze2
[293.] ni2 me-lem4-ma-ni kalam-ma dul-[lu]
[294.] a2-sag3 še šeĝ6-ĝa2-gin7 mu-un-dub2 numun-bi im-da-DI
[295.] šeg12 si-il-la2-gin7 teš2-ba bi2-in-ĝar
[296.] šu-gal-an-zu-bi ne-mur-ra-gin7-nam zid2-de3-eš mu-un-dub-/dub\
[297.] im-du3-a im-bi suḫ-a-gin7 teš2-bi im-mi-in-ĝar
[298.] ur-saĝ-e niĝ2 šag4-ga-na mu-un-/sa2?\
[299.] dnin-urta en dumu den-lil2-la2 i3-X X ba-sed-[de3]
[300.] kur-ra ud-ta im-ma-ra-[zal]
[301.] dutu silim-ma mu-na-/an\-[dug4]
[302.] en-e ib2-la2 ĝištukul a mu-[X] tug2 uš2-a mu-un-/tu5?\
[303.] ur-saĝ-e saĝ-ki šu bi2-ib-ur3 ad6-a za-pa-aĝ2 bi2-in-ĝar
[304.] AB.ĜAR-gin7 a2-sag3 ug5-ga-na ma2 gaz ak-da-ni
[305.] /diĝir? kalam\-ma mu-un-na-sug2-ge-eš
[306.] dur3ur3 kuš2-a-gin7 mu-un-na-gurud-de3-eš
[307.] en-e a-ra2 maḫ-a-ni-še3
[308.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2 šu-ta silim ba-ab-sag3-sag3-ge-ne
[309.] šar2-ur3-e en dnin-urta-ra mi2 zid-de3-eš mu-un-ne
[310.] en meš3 maḫ gan2-e a dug4-ga ur-saĝ a-ba za-gin7
[311.] lugal-ĝu10 zag-zu ba-ra-ga-an-til ba-ra-ga-an-gub ba-ra-ga-u3-tud
[312.] dnin-urta ud-da-ta kur-ra lu2 ba-ra-ra-an-zi-zi
[313.] lugal-ĝu10 šeg11 dili gi4-a-za
[314.] ĝiš-gan2-/nu?\  a-gin7 mi2 bi2-ib-/tag?\
[315-333. Fragmentary — gap in manuscripts.]
[334.] ud-bi-a a silim ki-ta du a-gar3-ra nu-um-de2
[335.] a sed du8-du8-u3 ud zal-le-da-gin7 kur-ra e2-ri-a ba-ni-ib2-il2-a
[336.] diĝir kalam-ma ba-sug2-ge-eš-a
[337.] ĝišal ĝišdusu-bi mu-un-la2-eš-a
[338.] ur5-ra-am3 eš2-gar3-bi i3-me-a
[339.] uĝ3 tar-bi-še3 e2 lu2 gu3 ba-an-de2
[340.] id2idigna nam-gu-la-ba an-še3 u5-bi nu-il2-e
[341.] kun-bi a-ab-ba-e li-[bi2-la2-a] a dug3 nu-um-[...]
[342.] nesaĝ kar-re lu2 nu-gid2-e
[343.] šag4-ĝar ḫul-a niĝ2 nu-tu-ud
[344.] id2 tur-tur-re šu luḫ lu2 li-bi2-in-ak saḫar nu-mu-da-an-zi-zi-i
[345.] gana2 zid-da a nu-šub-šub-be2 eg2 ak nu-ĝal2-la
[346.] kur-kur-re ab-sin2-na nu-gub-bu še bir-a i-im-ak
[347.] en-e ĝeštug2 maḫ im-gub-be2
[348.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 gal-bi i3-ĝa2-ĝa2
[349.] gu-ru-um na4 kur-ra mi-ni-in-ak
[350.] dungu dirig-ga-gin7 a2 bi2-in-sud-su3-ud
[351.] bad3 maḫ-gin7 kalam-ma igi-ba bi2-in-tab-/ba\
[352.] ĝišbal ki-šar2-ra mu-ni-in-ĝar
[353.] ur-saĝ-e mu-un-galam iri teš2-bi /mu\-[un]-uš2
[354.] a kalag-ga na4 im-da-an-sa2
[355.] i3-ne-eš2 a kur da-ri2-še3 ki-a nu-um-ed3-de3
[356.] i3-bir-bir-am3 gu2 ba-ni-in-ĝar
[357.] kur-ra sug-e ba-ni-ib2-gu7-a
[358.] mu-un-ur4-ur4 id2idigna im-ma-an-šum2
[359.] a-eštubku6 a-gar3-ra mi-ni-in-de2-de2
[360.] i3-ne-eš2 ud-da niĝ2 ki-šar2-ra-ke4
[361.] lugal kalam-ma en dnin-urta-ra su3-ud-bi-še3 mu-un-ḫul2-e-eš
[362.] gan2-ne2 še gu-nu a mi-ni-in-šum2
[363.] buru14 pu2-kiri6-ke4 gurun im-mi-in-il2
[364.] guru7-du6-de3 gu2 im-mi-in-gur-gur
[365.] en-e kalam-ta kar im-ta-an-ed3
[366.] diĝir-re-e-ne ur5-bi mu-un-sag9
[367.] dnin-urta a-a-ni me-teš2 me-i-i-ne
[368.] ud-bi-a munus-ra arḫuš-a sa2 nam-ga-mu-ni-ib2-dug4
[369.] dnin-maḫ-e ki ĝiš3 dug4-ga-ni-še3 u3 nu-um-[ši-ib2-ku-ku]
[370.] siki u8 dugud-gin7 bar-ra bi2-in-dul
[371.] i-lu kur ĝiri3 nu-ĝal2-la-bi gal-gal-bi mi-ni-ib2-be2
[372.] u3-mu-un a2 maḫ-a-ni kur-re nu-il2-i
[373.] ur-saĝ gal an-gin7 ib2-ba-na a2-bi lu2 nu-teĝ3-ĝe26
[374.] ud sumur ki-a du uš11 gaba-ba ĝar-a
[375.] en ši dmu-ul-lil2-la2 men saĝ-e du7
[376.] UR [...] nu-zu
[377.] še-er-ma-al saĝ ma-an-ze2-eĝ3 dam mu-un-gub-bu-na-ĝu10
[378.] mu-ud-da-na in-ši-tu-ud ba-an-us2 ḫur nu-mu-da-ab-ĝar-ra
[379.] du5-mu dmu-ul-lil2-la2 šu mu-un-dag i-bi2-ni na-ma-an-il2-la
[380.] šul zid munus zid-de3 ba-an-dug4
[381.] e2-šu-me-ša4 ki i-bi2 il2-la-ni in-ne-a-ĝen-na
[382.] gu da-an-ši-in-kud u3-mu-un er9-ra-še3
[383.] ga-ša-an-ĝen dili-ĝu10-ne ga-an-ši-ĝen en da gi16-sa-še3
[384.] a2-še ĝe26-e u6 mu-na-ni-[in]-dug4
[385.] si sa2 du5-mu di-kud dmu-ul-lil2-la2
[386.] ur-saĝ gal aĝ2 sag9-ga a-a-na ḫe2-em-da-ri-am3
[387.] munus-e šir3 kug-ge-eš i3-aĝ2-ĝe26
[388.] dnin-maḫ-e en dnin-urta-ra mu-ni-ib-be2
[389.] igi nam-til3-la-ka-ni mu-un-ši-in-bar gu3 mu-na-de2-e
[390.] munus kur-še3 i-im-ĝen-ne-en-na-gin7
[391.] dnin-maḫ nam-ĝu10-še3 ki-bal-a mu-un-kur9-re-en-na-gin7
[392.] me3 ni2 ḫuš-ba ri-a-ĝa2 la-ba-an-sud-de3-en-na-gin7
[393.] ur-saĝ-me-en gu-ru-um ĝar-ra-ĝa2
[394.] ḫur-saĝ mu-bi ḫe2-em za-e nin-bi ḫe2-em
[395.] i3-ne-eš2 nam tar-ra dnin-urta-ka
[396.] ud-da dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2 di-še3 ur5 ḫe2-en-na-nam-ma-am3
[397.] šag4-tum2-bi šim ḫa-ra-an-mu2
[398.] gu2-gu2-bi lal3 ĝeštin ḫa-ra-an-mu2
[399.] ĝišerin ĝiššu-ur2-men2 ĝišza-ba-lum ĝištaškarin du8-du8-bi ḫa-ra-an-mu2
[400.] kiri6-gin7 niĝ2-sa-ḫa šu ḫu-mu-ra-ni-ib-tag
[401.] ḫur-saĝ-e ir nam-diĝir-ra ḫu-mu-ra-an-[gu]-ul-gu2-e
[402.] kug-sig17 kug-babbar ḫu-mu-ra-ab-bal-e ḪI.IB.LAL3 ḫu-mu-ra-ab-ak
[403.] urud nagga ḫu-mu-ra-ab-zal-le gun2-bi ḫu-mu-ra-an-ak
[404.] kur-[re] maš2-anše ḫa-ra-ab-lu-e
[405.] ḫur-saĝ-e niĝ2-ur2-4-e numun ḫa-ra-ni-ib-i-i
[406.] za-e nin-me-en i3-da-sa2-sa2-a an-gin7 ni2 ḫuš gur3-ru
[407.] diĝir maḫ inim dirig-ge ḫul gig
[408.] munus zid nin-ḫur-saĝ ki-sikil
[409.] dnin-tur5 a2 sed-bi dab5-be2-še3
[410.] te-e-mu-da nin me maḫ ma-ra-an-šum2 za-e ḫe2-em-il2-e
[411.] en-e kur-ra nam mu-ni-in-tar-re du-ni eš3 nibruki-a
[412.] munus zid me-ni me dirig-ga nin nagar šag4-ga
[413.] da-ru-ru nin9 gal den-lil2-la2 gaba-na ba-e-gub
[414.] ur-saĝ gal ur-saĝ ug5-ga-za
[415.] u3-mu-un a-a-ni-gin7 dug4-ga-ni nu-kur2-ru na-aĝ2 nu-um-mi-tar
[416.] en-e na4u2-e gu3 ba-de2-e in-di3 bi2-ib-kur-ku
[417.] en ib2-ba kalam-ma inim mu-na-ni-ib-be2
[418.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 aš2 im-mi-ib2-sar-re
[419.] na4u2 kur-ra ma-an-zig3-ge-en-na-gin7
[420.] šu sig10-ge5-ĝu10-še3 mu-e-gib-ba-gin7
[421.] nam ug5-ge-ĝu10 ba-e-kud-da-gin7
[422.] en dnin-urta-me-en ki-tuš maḫ-ĝa2 ba-e-ḫu-luḫ-en-na-gin7
[423.] kalag-ga šul e2-ĝar8 tuku dirig-ga-me-en alan-zu ḫe2-em-ta-be4
[424.] piriĝ gal usu-bi-ta nir-ĝal2-la-am3 ḫe2-me-ze-er-ze-re-de3
[425.] usu-tuku a-gar5-re šu ḫe2-gid2-de3
[426.] ĝuruš na4u2 šeš-zu zid2-gin7 ḫe2-me-dub-bu-ne
[427.] li-li-a-zu šu ḫa-ba-ab-zig3-ge-en ad6-ba zu2 e3-ni-ib
[428.] ĝuruš-me-en gu3 de2-zu ḫe2-ĝal2 GAN.SUM-gin7 ḫe2-til-e
[429.] am gal lu2 šar2-re gaz-za-gin7 niĝ2-ba-bi ĝar-ra
[430.] na4u2 ĝištukul-ta ur-gir15 me3-ta
[431.] niĝ2 sipad-tur-re al-sar-re-gin7
[432.] en-me-en na4gug me-re-kul-la-za mu-bi ḫe2-sa4
[433.] i3-ne-eš2 nam tar-ra dnin-urta-ka
[434.] ud-da na4u2 ub-tag na4gug buru3-da ur5 ḫe2-en-na-nam-ma
[435.] ur-saĝ-e na4šu-u na4ga-sur-ra-ke4 gu3 im-ma-de2-e
[436.] en-e a ri-a bi2-ib2-šid-de3
[437.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib2-tar-re
[438.] na4šu-u ĝištukul-ĝa2 saĝ bi2-dim2-za-na-gin7
[439.] na4ga-sur-ra gud-gin7 u3-na ma-an-sug2-ge-en-za-na-gin7
[440.] am-gin7 a2 saḫar-ra me-er-re-dim2-za-na-gin7
[441.] giriš-gin7 šu ḫa-ba-e-en-ze2-en
[442.] ni2 me-lem4-ĝu10 ba-e-de3-en-dul
[443.] a2 maḫ-ĝa2 la-ba-an-zig3-ge-en-za-na-gin7
[444.] kug-dim2-e zi-ni-še3 ḫe2-pa-an-pa
[445.] umun2 ki nam-dumu-ni-še3 ḫa-ba-X-na-aĝ2
[446.] u2-saĝ diĝir-re-e-ne-ke4
[447.] ud itid-da zag-ge ḫe2-em-de3-si-si-ne
[448.] lugal-ĝu10 na4saĝ-kal-e ba-gub
[449.] na4gul-gul [na4saĝ]-ĝar-ra gu3 ba-an-de2
[450.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ni-ib-tar-re
[451-454. Partially fragmentary.]
[455.] na4saĝ-ĝar na4saĝ-kal-e ḫe2-sig10-ge
[456.] šul zid na4gul-gul-e ḫe2-gul-e
[457.] saĝ nu-kal-la si-ig ḫa-ma-ra-an-ze2-eĝ3
[458.] šag4-ĝar kalam-ma-še3 ĝar-ba-ni-ib šu iriki-za ḫe2-eb-si
[459.] saĝ ḫe2-sal ur-saĝ geme2-e-ne ḫe2-me-en
[460.] ul4-ab sar-ra-ab ḫu-mu-ra-ab-be2 mu-bi ḫe2-sa4
[461.] i3-ne-eš2 nam tar-ra dnin-urta-ka
[462.] ud-da kalam-e kiĝ2 gig di-še3 ur5 ḫe2-en-na-nam
[463.] lugal-ĝu10 na4esi-a im-ma-gub
[464.] šag4 dab5-ba /KA?\ gen6-ne2-eš zu-ba šir3-re-eš im-mi-ib-be2
[465.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib-tar-re
[466.] na4esi me3-zu a-ga-ba kur2-ra
[467.] i-bi2 dugud-gin7 ma-an-du3-u3-nam
[468.] a2 nu-mu-e-zig3 ĝa2-a-ra saĝ nu-mu-e-šum2
[469.] lul-am3 en dili-ni ur-saĝ-ĝa2
[470.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ra a-ba mu-da-ab-sa2-e im-mi-dug4-ga-gin7
[471.] kur igi-nim-ta ḫe2-mu-e-zi-zi-ne
[472.] kur ma2-ganki-ta ḫe2-mu-e-ĝa2-ĝa2-ne
[473.] za-e urud niĝ2 kalag-ga kuš-gin7 u3-mu-e-ḪI
[474.] en-me-en a2 nam-ur-saĝ-ĝa2-ĝu10 šu gal-bi ḫe2-ni-du7
[475.] lugal ud su3-ra2 mu-ni i3-ĝa2-ĝa2-a
[476.] alan-bi ud ul-le2-a-aš u3-mu-un-dim2-ma
[477.] e2-ninnu e2 giri17-zal sug4-ĝa2
[478.] ki-a-naĝ-ba um-mi-gub-be2 me-te-aš ḫe2-em-ši-ĝal2
[479.] lugal-ĝu10 na4-e im-ma-gub
[480.] na4na-ta su im-ta-du3-du3-e
[481.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 aš2 im-mi-ib-sar-re
[482.] na4 a2-še ĝe26 bi2-dug4-ga-gin7
[483.] na4na me-ĝa2 ĝiš ba-e-šub-bu-za-na-gin7
[484.] za-e dim2-me-de3 šaḫ-gin7 nu2-ba
[485.] gurud-da kiĝ2-še3 na-an-ak-e-en tur-tur-bi til-la
[486.] zu-a-zu a-da ḫe2-mu-e-da-gi4-gi4
[487.] lugal-ĝu10 na4e-le-el-e im-ma-gub
[488.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam im-mi-ni-ib2-tar-re
[489.] na4e-le-el ĝeštug2 tuku kur du14 mu2-a-ba ni2-ĝu10 ḫe2-me-ni-ri
[490.] ki-bal-a uĝ3 teš2-ba ri-a-ĝa2 mu-ĝu10 ḫe2-em-mi-ib-sa4
[491.] silim-ma-zu-ta nam-ba-e-re-be6
[492.] gur4-ra-zu tur-re-bi ḫe2-gig
[493.] me-ĝu10 bar-zu-a si ḫa-ra-ni-ib2-sa2-e
[494.] ĝištukul sag3-ge ur-saĝ ug5-ga-ĝa2 šu gal-bi ḫe2-ni-du7
[495.] kisal maḫ-ĝa2-a ki-gal ḫa-ra-ab-ri
[496.] kalam-e u6 dug3-ge-eš ḫe2-a-e kur-kur ḫe2-il2-i
[497.] ur-saĝ na4ka-gen6-na-e ba-gub
[498.] nam-kalag-ga-bi-še3 gu3 ba-an-de2
[499.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib-tar-re
[500.] šul ni2-tuku ĝiš-nu11 bar-še3 ĝal2
[501-516.] [ka-gen-na decree continues — see transliteration lines 501–516]
[517.] ur-saĝ-e na4ĝiš-nu11-gal-e ba-gub
[518.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib-tar-re
[519.] na4ĝiš-nu11 su ud-gin7 kar2-kar2-ka
[520.] kug luḫ-ḫa šul e2-gal-e du7
[521.] šu dili-zu-a mu-e-ni-zi-zi-i
[522.] saĝ kur-zu-a ki mu-e-ni-su-ub
[523.] ĝištukul nu-mu-ra-sag3 a2 la-ba-ri-gur
[524.] ur-saĝ šeg11 gi4-ĝu10-u8 ba-ab-gub-en
[525.] niĝ2 sag9-ga mu-zu ḫe2-pad3-de3
[526.] erim3 kalam-ma šu-za ḫe2-em-si kišib-ĝal2-bi ḫe2-me-en
[527.] lugal-ĝu10 na4algameš-e ba-gub igi dul2 ba-an-ak
[528.] en ib2-ba kalam-ma inim mu-na-ni-ib-be2
[529.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 aš2 im-mi-ib-sar-re
[530.] a-gin7 du-ĝu10-še3 en3 mu-e-ši-tar
[531.] ĝiš-kiĝ2-ti-ĝu10-še3 igi ĝen-na
[532.] na4algameš sa2-dug4 ud-da gur3-ru za-dim2-e-ne
[533.] lugal-ĝu10 na4du8-ši-a ba-gub
[534.] na4nir na4gug na4za-gin3-na gu3 ba-an-de2-e
[535.] na4amaš-pa-e3 na4ša-ba na4ḫu-ri2-zum na4gug-gazi na4mar-ḫa-li
[536.] na4e-gi-zag-ga na4gi-rin-ḫi-li-ba na4an-zu2-gul-me na4nir2-muš-ĝir2ki
[537.] en-e zi kušummud-e
[538.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib-tar-re
[539.] a-na ba-du-un nitaḫ munus dim2-ma u3 za-e-gin7
[540.] nam-tag nu-e-tuku šu-zu e2-ĝar8-e ba-da-ab-us2-e
[541.] ki inim-ma-ka ni2 mu-e-ni-buluĝ3-en
[542.] ad gi4-gi4-da ĝe26-e mu-e-ni-buluĝ3-en
[543.] pu-uḫ2-ru-um-ma šagina mu-e-ni-ĝar-ra-gin7
[544.] nir lal3 kurun-na ḫa-ba-pad3-de3-en
[545.] kug-ga zid-de3-eš mi2 ḫe2-[en-ne]-en-ze2-en
[546.] u2-saĝ diĝir-re-e-ne-ke4
[547.] kur-kur-re giri17 ki šu2-šu2-zu giri17 šu ḫa-ra-ab-tag-ge
[548.] lugal-ĝu10 na4ĝiri2-zu2-gal-la-ke4 ba-gub igi dul2 ba-an-ak
[549.] en ib2-ba kalam-ma inim mu-na-ni-ib-be2
[550.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 aš2 im-mi-ib-sar-re
[551.] e na4ĝiri2-zu2-gal-la lu2 2 a-na-bi
[552.] am kur-zu-a /si?\ ḫe2-me-ni-bur2 U3.GAN-/še3\
[553.] nu-mu-e-sig10-ge saĝ mi-ri-ib-us2
[554.] barag-gin7 mu-un-si-il-le lu2 ḫe2-ta-sig-ge
[555.] tibira za-ra ḫa-ra-ĝal2 umbin ḫe2-tag-ge
[556.] šul usu niĝ2 kur2 de6-a-zu
[557.] nagar lu2 kiĝ2 ga-ab-sam2-a di-di-/da?\
[558.] a dug4-ga-gin7 a ḫe2-ri-ib-gi4-gi4 munu4-e-eš ḫe2-gaz-gaz
[559.] lugal-ĝu10 na4im-an-e ba-gub
[560.] na4al-li2-ga gu3 [ba-an]-de2-e
[561.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-[la2-ke4] nam im-mi-ib-tar-re
[562.] na4im-ma-an kur-ra šeg11 mu-[...-gi4-gi4]
[563.] gu3 ḫuš me3 gu3 ḫuš bi2-ib-[ra...]
[564.] izi-gin7 mu-la2-en-ze2-en
[565.] ud-gin7 mu-dub-bu-un-ze2-en
[566.] u2numun2-gin7 mu-sag3-ge-en-ze2-en
[567.] u2numun2-gin7 mu-[e]-bur12-re-[en]-ze2-en
[568.] a-ba šu in-ne-ši-in-de6
[569.] na4im-ma-an gu3 de2-zu na-an-kal-am3 en3-zu na-an-tar-re
[570.] na4im-ma-an na4al-li2-ga e2-gal-la du-u3-zu na-an-sa2
[571.] [lugal]-ĝu10 na4maš-da im-ma-gub
[572.] na4dub-ba-an na4u2-ru-tum-e gu3 ba-an-de2
[573.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 in-di3 bi2-ib-kur-ku
[574.] na4maš-da na4dub-ba-an ga-an-ze-er bar7-a
[575.] na4u2-ru-tum na-me nu-gub-bu
[576.] na4ga-sur-ra zi murgu2-še3 šub-bu ḫe2-em-ta-ab-KA×NE-a
[577.] ki-bal-a sur3-gin7 ma-mu2-un-ze2-en
[578.] kur sa-ba mu-e-ši-gub-bu-un-za-na-gin7
[579.] na4maš-da udu-gin7 ḫe2-sur-sur-ne
[580.] na4dub-ba-an niĝ2 ze2-re-de3 ḫe2-bi2-sag3-ge-ne
[581.] na4u2-ru-tum mi-tum-gin7 u3-sar ḫe2-ak-ne
[582.] zabar ḫu-ut-pa diĝir-re-e-ne-ka
[583.] ĝiri2 ḫuš sa-sa-da giĝ4-e ḫe2-bi2-sag3-ge-ne
[584.] lugal-ĝu10 na4ša-ga-ra im-ma-gub
[585.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam im-mi-ib-tar-re
[586.] na4ša-ga-ra saĝ edin-na dili-bi du saĝ-du tibir ra
[587.] kur-ra a2 dab5-ba-e-ĝa2 mu-e-ni-zukum
[588.] me3-ba la-la mu-e-ni-ĝar-ra-gin7
[589.] ad-KID-e gi ḫe2-em-ta-gu4-ud-e ki-nu2-za ḫe2-bi2-šub-be2
[590.] SIG7-a ama ugu-za ḫe2-bi2-tur-tur zig3-ga-ab-zu nam-me
[591.] a2-aš2-zu-a lu2 na-an-ni-til3-le
[592.] u2-gu ba-an-de2-zu uĝ3-e nam-me
[593.] me da-ri2-še3 du3-a ki ni2 dub2-bu dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ka-še3
[594.] ka tar-re-de3 barag-ba u3-bi2-in-gurud-de3
[595.] kaš-dida nam udu-še3 lu2 ḫa-ra-ab-zil-e
[596.] zid2 dub-dub-ba-bi ḫe2-ḫul2-le-en ki-bur2-ru-zu ḫe2-a
[597.] lugal-ĝu10 na4mar-ḫu-ša ba-gub
[598.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam im-mi-ib-tar-re
[599.] na4mar-ḫu-ša ki-ĝu10-uš gu mu-/un\-[...]-ma-te-en ba-dab5-be2-en
[600.] šer7-da iri-za-ka im-šub-be2-en [...] /ĜIRI3\-ni bi2-[...]-na-ak-(...)
[601.] na4bur šaĝan ḫe2-me-en a ḫe2-em-[da]-an-sim-e
[602.] na4mar-ḫu-ša u-gun3 ḫe2-[ni-tag]-ge en sag9-ba ḫe2-[...] DI
[603.] kirid-da kug-ga šu gal ḫe2-[em]-/mi\-du7
[604.] na4mar-ḫu-ša e2 diĝir-re-[e]-/ne\-ka me-te-aš ḫe2-em-mi-ĝal2
[605.] ur-saĝ ḫaš2-tum-e ba-gub
[606.] en ib2-ba kalam-ma inim /mu\-[na-ni-ib-be2]
[607.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam im-mi-ni-[ib-tar-re]
[608.] na4ḫaš2-tum kur-ra [šeg11 ...-gi4-gi4]
[609.] gu3 ḫuš me3-a-še3 gu3 /ḫuš\ [bi2]-/ib\-ra
[610.] šeg11 gi4-zu lil2-la2-am3 kur-ra mi-ni-ib2-ge-en
[611.] ĝuruš-me-en na4ḫaš2-tum ki tag-ga-za mu-bi ḫe2-sa4
[612.] i3-ne-eš nam tar-ra dnin-urta-ka
[613.] ud-da na4ḫaš2-tum di-še3 ur5 ḫe2-en-na-nam-ma-am3
[614.] lugal-ĝu10 na4dur-ul3-e im-ma-gub
[615.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam im-mi-ib-tar-re
[616.] na4dur-ul3 mu-dur7 kug šul igi ḫa-az-za lu2 im-ma-an-gul-lu-ne
[617.] kur-ra giri17 šu mu-e-ni-ĝal2-la
[618.] a2-še ĝe26-e ĝišsi-ĝar ḫe2-kud
[619.] lugal-ĝu10 en dnin-urta-ra igi-ni-še3 ḫa-ba-gub-bu-nam im-mi-dug4-ga-gin7
[620.] mu-zu pad3-de3-ba ni2 ḫa-ba-ab-buluĝ5
[621.] [gal]-/zu\-a kug ga-ab-sam2 di-de3
[622.] kur-kur-re nar-gin7 gi-di-da ḫe2-em-mu-e-sar-re-ne
[623.] lugal-ĝu10 na4šegx-šegx-e ba-gub
[624.] na4en-ge-en na4 dezim2-ma gu3 im-ma-de2-e
[625.] [na4]ug-gun3 na4ḫe2-em
[626.] na4ma-da-nu-um na4saĝ-gir11-mud
[627.] [na4X] na4/mur-suḫ3?\-e
[628.] [dnin-urta] /dumu\ [den-lil2]-/la2\-ke4 nam im-mi-ib-tar-re
[629-630. Fragmentary.]
[631.] zag us2 sa us2 šag4 uš gu7 az-gin7 ĝiri3 ḫum-mu
[632.] ḫe2-en-na-GA-za mu-e-ši-du-de3-en i3-ne-eš tab-ba di-za
[633.] gu2-ne-ne-ta ki ḫa-ba-ab-te-en-ze2-en a-ba šu in-ne-ši-in-de6
[634.] ĝištukul ḫe2-me-en ĝišig ḫe2-en-gub
[635.] kalag-ga gu2-ni ḫa-ba-ra-sig9-ge
[636.] lirum-ta dug3 DU.DU-am3-da-ab ud zal-le ki ḫe2-teĝ3-ĝe26
[637.] ud šu2-uš ki-la2 tuku-e ḫe2-zi-zi-i
[638.] šul da-ri2 kalam-ma igi ḫe2-en-de3-saĝ5-saĝ5
[639.] ur-saĝ na4kur-ga-ra-nu-um-e ba-gub
[640.] na4bal-e gu3 ba-de2-e
[641.] en-e šem-bi sig7-sig7-ga-bi
[642.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 nam am3-mi-ib-tar-re
[643.] lu2 ga-ba-ra-ab-e3 im-mi-dug4-ga
[644.] us2 zid-ba mu-e-ši-in-dub-bu-na
[645.] ĝuruš lu2 ar2-e mi-ri-gu7-am3 saĝ-gin7 mu-un-ti-en
[646.] gašam tur-ra mi2 ḫu-mu-ne-e
[647.] [ezen] /gidim?\-ma-ke4 ḫe2-em-ma-sag9-ge
[648.] [itid-da ud] 9 ĝuruš ud-sakar-ra-ke4 [...] ḫu-mu-ra-an-ak
[649.] /biluda(PA.AN?)da\ dnin-ḫur-saĝ-ĝa2-ka-še3 [...]-/an\-[gub]
[650-651. Fragmentary.]
[652.] dnin-urta ḫul2-ḫul2-e im-DU ĝišma2-gur8 ki aĝ2-ĝa2-ni
[653.] en-e ĝišma2-kar-nun-ta-e3-a ĝiri3-ni nam-mi-in-gub
[654.] a-igi-lu-e-ne šir3 dug3-ge-eš im-mi-ib-be2-ne
[655.] en-[ra mi2] /zid\-de3-eš2 mu-un-ne-ne
[656.] d[nin-urta] /dumu\ den-lil2-la2-ra šudu3 su3-ra2-še3 mu-na-ab-/mu2?\-ne
[657.] diĝir zag dib-ba ur-saĝ-e-ne
[658.] [en] dnin-urta lugal diĝir da-nun-ke4-ne
[659.] bar-us2 zid-[da-na ...] sun4 /ba?\-la2-a
[660.] a e3-a gu2-erim2-e mu-ni-šub-bu
[661.] nam-maḫ gal-gal-za a-ba mu-e-da-ab-sa2-e
[662.] ur-saĝ a-/ma\-[ru] gaba šu nu-ĝa2-ĝa2
[663.] den-ki dnin-ki-e-[ne] saĝ nu-un-da-ĝa2-ĝa2-ĝa2
[664.] ur-saĝ iri laḫ4 kur-re gu2 ĝar-ĝar
[665.] dumu den-lil2-la2 a-ba mu-e-da-an-e3
[666.] dnin-urta en dumu den-lil2-la2 ur-saĝ a-ba za-a-gin7
[667.] lugal-ĝu10 ur-saĝ za-a sa2-dug4-zu-še3 ĝal2-la
[668.] mu-ni-gin7 si sa2 ĝiri3-zu mu-un-dab5-be2
[669.] e2-za niĝ2-du7-e pa ma-ra-ni-in-e3-a
[670.] eš3-za saḫar-ta ma-ra-ra-an-il2-la
[671.] ezen-zu niĝ2 ḫa-ba-ab-gu-ul-gu-ul-e
[672.] ĝarza kug-zu šu ḫu-mu-ra-ab-du7-du7
[673.] mu nam-til3-la-na dug4-ge ba-ab-du7 kalam-ma ḫa-ra-an-i-i
[674.] en-ra šag4 an-na ḫe2-en-na-ḫuĝ
[675.] ne den-lil2-la2 dnin-urta-/ra?\
[676.] ki-sikil ama dba-u2 ud-de3-eš ḫe2-en-na-e3
[677.] en-ra ma2 nesaĝ-a mu-na-ni-ib2-/be2\-[ne]
[678.] ma2 ni2-bi dirig-ga-e gu2 im-mar-mar-[(…)]
[679.] ma2-kar-nun-ta-e3-a a2 kug mu-[un-su3-ud]
[680.] ur-saĝ ĝištukul sag3-ge silim-ma-ni-še3 [(…)]
[681.] da-nun-na-ke4-ne X-bi gaba mu-[…]
[682.] giri17 ki-še3 ba-ab-te-eš šu gaba ba-ni-[…-eš]
[683.] en-e a-ra-zu-a šudu3 mu-un-/na\-[ša4-aš]
[684-701. Fragmentary.]
[702.] lugal usu an-na niĝ2-ba-zu ḫe2-a
[703.] ur-saĝ-e a2-sag3 mu-un-ug5-ga-aš
[704.] en-e gu-ru-um-bi mu-un-ak-aš
[705.] na4 ḫa-ba-sa2 im-mi-in-dug4-ga-aš
[706.] ušum šeg11 gi4 mu-ni-UD-a-aš
[707.] ur-saĝ-e a-e saĝ an-ta ĝiri3 im-ma-ĝar-ra-aš
[708.] gan2-ne2 zid-de3 šu in-gi4-a-aš
[709.] ĝišapin ḫe2-ĝal2 pa bi2-in-e3-a-aš
[710.] en-e ab-sin2 gub-bu mu-un-ĝar-ra-aš
[711.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 guru7-du6 guru7-maš-a gu2 bi2-in-gur-gur-ra-aš
[712.] in-nin me a2-bi-ta e3-a dug4-ge maḫ dib-ba
[713.] dnisaba munus zid gal-an-zu kur-kur-ra dirig-ga
[714.] igi zu2 keše2-da nam-en nam-lugal-la im saĝ di ĝal2-la-bi-im
[715.] ĝeštug2 maḫ den-ki du6 kug-ga-ta saĝ-e-eš rig7-ga
[716.] dnin-urta dumu den-lil2-la2-ke4 zag-ba nam-mi-in-gub
[717.] munus mul-an nun-e abzu-ta gal-le-eš-e sig7-ga
[718.] in-nin ĜEŠTUG2.dNISABA šag4-ge uš gu7
[719.] sa2-ĝar dili dim2-ma ĝalga sud
[720-725. Fragmentary.]
[726.] [...] saĝ gig2-ga en3 tar-re uĝ3-e inim si sa2

Source Colophon

Source text: Lugal-e ud me-lám-bi nir-ĝál (ETCSL c.1.6.2), composite transliteration. Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, University of Oxford (etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk). Classified in the Sumerian literary canon as a šir-sud (song of exaltation). Critical edition: van Dijk, J.J.A. (1983), LUGAL UD ME-LÁM-bi NIR-ĞÁL, E.J. Brill. The composition survives in multiple Old Babylonian manuscripts; the composite text and transliteration conventions follow ETCSL. Damaged signs in brackets [ ], partially legible signs preceded by /, manuscript variants in { }; sign name readings in CAPS. The text is commonly known in English scholarship as Ninurta's Exploits or Ninurta and the Stones. Composition dates to the Ur III or early Old Babylonian period (ca. 2100–1800 BCE).

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