Esarhaddon 012

(1) Esarhaddon, [...] ki[ng, ... king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad], pious prince, humble, [... who knows how to revere all of the gods and goddesses], of fine intellect, ... [...] who from [his] you[th ...] (5) whom [...] to renew [...] the one who (re)constructed the temple of the god Aššur, [...] respectful king, the one who complet[ed ...]; son of Sennacherib, ki[ng of ...] the images of the gods Sîn, Ninga[l, ...] m[a]de and ... [...] the cella, [which] he did not bui[ld] as their lordly living quarters, [...] —

(12) I, Esarhaddon, king of the world, king of Assyria, [...] the temple of the gods [S]în, Ningal, Šamaš, (and) Aya [...] in the citadel of (the city of) Nineveh as residenc[e of ...]. (15) In a favorable month, on a propitious day, I laid its foundations upon that terrace with limestone, [strong] stone from the mountains, [...]. I built (and) [completed] that temple in its entirety. [...]. I roof[ed it] with magnificent cedar beams [... (and) I fastened bands of silver and copper on] doors of cypress, whose fragrance is sweet, [and installed (them) in its gates. (20) I ...] whatever utensils were needed for the temple, whether silver (or) go[ld ...]. When I had completed that temple (and) br[ought its construction to an end ...] the gods Sîn, Ningal, Šamaš, (and) Aya, the great gods, [...] monthly, without ceasing.

(24) Thereupon, may the gods Sîn (and) Šamaš, the great lords, ... [...] me — Esarhaddon, the king, favor[ite ...]; in the(ir) appearance at the height of heaven and (in) the month Nisannu (I), [...] good omen(s) concerning the lengthening of (my) days ... [...]; (and) by [their immutable] command discuss with one another (my) reaching extreme old age, the abundance of (my) offspring, the incr[ease of my progeny, ...]. (30) May they kill [my enemies], flatten my enemies, cut down [my] foes, (and) allow me to stand [over] my enemies [in victory (and) triumph so that I may rule (and) govern] wherever [my] hea[rt wishes].

(32) [In future days, may] one of the kings, my descendants, [whom the gods Sîn (and) Šamaš select and] na[me to rul]e the land and people, [renovate the dilapidated section(s) of these shrines when] they [become ol]d and dilapidated, [read an inscript]ion written in my name, [and may he anoint (it) with oil, make an offering, write] my name with his name, [(and) return (it) to its place. (Then) may] the gods Sîn and Šamaš [order good things for him] mont[hly, without ceasing].

(38) Month [...].