Shalmaneser I 17

(1) Shalmaneser (I), appointee of the god Enlil, vice-regent of the god Aššur, strong king, king of Assyria, son of Adad-nārārī (I), king of Assyria, son of Arik-dīn-ili, (who was) also king of Assyria; conqueror of the land(s) Šubarû, Lullumê, and Qutû, subduer of the land Muṣri; the one who slew valiantly all of his enemies with the support of the goddess Ištar, his lady, brought about the defeat of his foes in battle, and made their barbarous [sheikhs] bow down at the feet of the goddess Ištar, his lady.

(6b) At that time, (as for) the temple of the goddess Ištar, lady of Nineveh, my lady, [which] Šamšī-Adad (I), a king who came before me, had previously built (and which, when) it became dilapidated, Aššur-uballiṭ (I), my ancestor, later restored, that temple had been damaged in an earthquake and was in ruin. [I cleared (it) away i]n its entirety (and) repaired its weakened portions. Moreover, I built the fallen portion (of that temple) from its foundations to its crenellations. I restored (and) returned the foundation inscriptions [of] Aššur-uballiṭ (I) to their places. Moreover, I deposited my foundation inscriptions (therein).

(10) [May] a future ruler, [when he renov]ates [that temple (when) it becomes dilapidated, retu]rn [my] fo[undation inscriptions to] their [places], just as I had returned the foundation inscriptions of Aššur-uballiṭ (I), my ancestor, to their places. The goddess Ištar will (then) listen to his prayers.

(12) (As for) the one who removes [m]y inscrip[tions] and [my] name, may [(the god) Aššur, my lord,] overthrow [his kingship], made his name and [his seed] disappear [from] the land, (and) abandon him (and) his land. [May the god Adad strike his land with terrible lightning (and)] afflict [his land with want].