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Dialogue 1 (Q000767)
Literary, Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE
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| Designation | Dialogue 1 |
|---|---|
| ID | Q000767 |
| Language | Sumerian |
| Period | Old Babylonian · c. 1900 BCE–1600 BCE |
| Genre | Literary |
Transliteration (ATF)
From Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618)
Machine draft. The right-hand column is machine English from ixmon/atf-to-english (atf-en-t5base-F, 2026-10-17), generated line by line from the transliteration. It is unreviewed and is not a scholarly translation.
| Line | ATF | Machine English (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | dumu e₂-dub-ba-a u₄ ul-la-am₃ ŋa₂-nu ga-na ga-ab-sa₂-sa₂-en-de₃-en | The son of the scribal school - when will we be able to make it perfect for him? |
| 2 | tukum-bi nam-dub-sar-ra i₃-zu a-na-am₃ i₃-šid | If you know the art of the scribal art, what have you learned? |
| 3 | mu AŠ.AŠ zi-ga nam-dub-sar-ra | year: “Aš.AŠi is lifted,{du}-scribal art,}ē |
| 4 | niŋ₂-zi-ŋal₂-edin-na za₃ lu₂-šu-ka-še₃ | To the edge of the plain, to the border of the man |
| 5 | i₃-sar egir-bi gu₂ mu-e-du₃ | After that he built a vegetable garden. |
| 6 | a-ra₂ igi-diri niŋ₂-ka₉ sahar-ŋar-ra za₃-bi-še₃ i₃-zu | You know the way to the far-flung mountains, the sand dunes at its edge. |
| 7 | KA-enim-ma nam-dumu-e₂-dub-ba-a-ka | In the ... of the scribal school |
| 8 | ga-ab-šid-de₃-en-de₃-en diri-zu-še₃ i₃-zu | Let us go, we know how to surpass you |
| 9 | ŋa₂-nu gaba-ri-ŋu₁₀-še₃ gub-ba in-zu ga-mu-ra-ab-til | I want to bring an end to the one who stands in the corner. |
| 10 | lu₂-tumu u₂-hub₂ {ŋeš-tu₉}ŋeštu la₂-a | a man, a šūtu-disease afflicts him, |
| 11 | ŋeš₃ per gu-du keše₂ šeri AŠ tu-lu | “Perforated gudu-vessel, knotted, ..., |
| 12 | me-zi₂ gid₂ numdum HAR ib₂ ku₅ gu-du KU-UŠ | Mezida, long, numdum, HAR, ib, cut, gudu, KU-UŠ |
| 13 | GA₂-e-gen₇-nam al-dim₂-me-en | I am the one who fashioned me like you. |
| 14 | lu₂-tumu ehi-e gada ba-an-la₂ | A man covered with a cloth, |
| 15 | nim sahar-ra ge₂ aš-rin-na ba-e-si | The ... of the earth was filled with dust |
| 15a | muš-da-kur₄ šutum AŠ | he who constantly seeks out that place |
| 16 | šaha₂ {tu₉}u₂-tu-gu-um al-tuku₅-tuku₅ | The šaḫa and utugû-vessels were smashed. |
| 17 | am-si munu₄ si₁₂-si₁₂ al-DAG-ge | (Sum) The wild bull, the horned malt, ... (Akk) The bull with horns, the felted malt ... |
| 18 | ka₅{a} {dug}utul₂-ta ab-ta-bar | I removed from the door of the large bowl |
| 19 | ur-bar-ra-ke₄ siki al-peš₆-a | The wolf weaves wool |
| 20 | {d}nin-ka₆ ša₃-du₈ SUHUR ša₃-ŋar x al-si-si | Ninka the šaduŋ-priest adjoining Šaba |
| 21 | {šaha₂}ze₂-eh tur-re NI SUHUR-ni al-bur₂-bur₂-e | The small šaḫa seeds spread out over his base. |
| 22 | lulim a₂-gu-hu-um al-sig-ge | The lulim (and) the aguḫû-demon are bound. |
| 23 | KA ŠE₃ ba-x-x-x-x ab-ta-gur-re | ... turned away. |
| 24 | lu₂-tumu ge₄-a x x x KA nu-tum₂-ma | A dead man ... does not bring ... |
| 25 | lu₂ in-na x x KU NIG₂ x ra | (Sum) The man ... (Akk) The one ... |
| 26 | x x LAGAB x KA KA x x ra | ... square ... |
| 27/24 | x x šurum-ma-še₃ za₃ x x x gub-ba | ... standing at the side |
| 28/25 | lu₂-tumu i₃ dug i₃-ib₂-hulu x x x ib₂-hulu | A man ruined the pot with oil, he ruined ... |
| 29/26 | x x-bi niŋ₂ ŋal₂-la-bi e₂ niŋ₂-gur₁₁-ra ib₂-hulu | Its ..., its empty-handedness destroys the house, it destroys it. |
| 30/27 | a-ša₃ ha-ma-tur e₂-še₃ ga-ba-an-DU | I want to bring the field into a house for you |
| 31/28 | tu₉ ba-da-an-til tu₉ siki ba-ni-in-DU₈ | He finished the garment, he cut the wool. |
| 32/29 | i₃ {dug}silim₂-ma ba-da-an-til ir₂-ba bi₂-in-šeš₄ | He finished the oil in the jug and cried out in tears. |
| 33/30 | gud₃ uman-na kiŋ₂ ba-an-sa₆-ge | The oxen of the humankind were made good. |
| 34/31 | {tu₉}niŋ₂-dara₂-ni a-gen₇ ba-ab-naŋ-ŋa₂ | When he is dressed in his ordinary soiled garments |
| 35/32 | niŋ₂ u₄-bi-ta nu-mu-e-da-sa₂-sa₂-e | Because of this day, you cannot compare with me. |
| 36/33 | nam-tar egir-ra-ka mu-da-ab-sa₂-sa₂-e | He arranges the fate of the future for me. |
| 37/34 | a nu kaš nu tuh nu dida nu zi₃ nu zi₃-milla nu tu₉ nu {tu₉}niŋ₂-dara₂ nu | water, not beer, not filtered, not dida-flour, not flour, not milled flour, no linen, no turban |
| 38/35 | an-e la-ba-teŋ₃-ŋe₂₆-e ki-še₃ la-ba-an-teŋ₃-ŋe₂₆ | Heaven cannot escape, earth cannot escape |
| 39/36 | kaš tuku tuh nu-tuku zi₃ tuku in-bu₅-bu₅ nu-tuku | He has beer, he does not have flour, [he does] not drink flour, |
| 40/37 | lu₂-tumu ze₄-e GA₂-e-gen₇-nam enim gaba-ri ma-ab-šum₂-mu | (Sum) I am a man, I want to speak a word to him (Akk) You are the man, you are the one who speaks a message to me |
| 41/38 | bar-zu en₃ bi₂-in-tar ur₅-gen₇ dumu lu₂ al-ge-na nu-me-en | You have inquired after your body, but you are not a child of a man. |
| 42/39 | e₂ ad-da-za-ka ša₃-gal iti-da kaš zi₃ munu₄ še-ta-am₃ nu-ub-diri | In your father’s house there is a monthly šagal-offering of beer, flour and malt. |
| 43/40 | ama-zu-še₃ šu bala AK-am₃ | Your mother's hand is a bala |
| 44/41 | LUH du₆-ul-du₆-ul-e {tu₉}niŋ₂-dara₂ bur₂-bur₂-re | (Sum) The šulduŋ drum, the nidar drum, which is to be smashed(?) (Akk) It is the luldul drum, it is torn out |
| 45/42 | du₁₄ mu₂-mu₂ e-sir₂-ra u₃-ba-gub | The slanderer stands in the street. |
| 46/43 | lu₂ ka piriŋ dab₅-ba ga-ba-al in-ne-du₃ | The one who opened the mouth of the captive is being slandered. |
| 47/44 | lu₂-bi ŋešba₂ A₂.MUŠ₂-ta un-hi-hi ša₃-ga-ni ab-se₂₉-de₃ A₂.MUŠ₂.DI-ta | (Sum) This man, after he has calmed down, his heart will be soothed to him (Akk) That man, when he calms down in the womb of a snake, he will calm his heart to him |
| 48/45 | lu₂-tumu a-na-aš-am₃ diri-še₃ niŋ₂ ab-kur₄-re-en | (Sum) I am a human being, what surpasses you? (Akk) What exceeds the human being? I will change my mind. |
| 49/46 | di i₃-du₁₁ egir-bi-še₃ nu-mu-un-til-e | The verdict that he rendered was not completed after it. |
| 50/47 | šu-zu ka-zu nu-ub-da-sa₂ | Your hand cannot be equalled by your mouth |
| 51/48 | nam-dub-sar-ra he₂-bi₂-šid ki-bi-še₃ li-bi₂-ib-ge₄-ge₄ | May the scribal art be made perfect for you, may it never cease there. |
| 52/49 | niŋ₂-zi-ŋal₂-edin-na za₃ lu₂-šu-ka-še₃ i₃-sar-ra | He wrote the inscription on the side of the man. |
| 52a/49a | x x x x-zu x nu-ub-da-sa₂ | Your ... is not equal. |
| 53/50 | eme-gi₇-še₃ eme-zu si nu-ub-sa₂ | The Sumerian, your tongue is not balanced |
| 54/51 | a-ra₂ he₂-šid za₃-bi-še₃ nu-e-zu | You are not able to know the way to the other side. |
| 55/52 | igi-diri he₂-tuh ki-us₂ nu-mu-ra-ab-dab₅ | (Sum) He shook the horizon, he did not seize the platform (Akk) The horizon was shattered, the platform was not grasped |
| 56/52a | sahar-ŋar-ra ki-bi-še₃ nu-mu-ra-ab-ge₄ | The dust storm will not approach its place. |
| 57/53 | KA-enim-ma nam-dumu-e₂-dub-ba-a-ka šu-zu ib₂-ši-in-tum₃ | In the wording of the scribal school, your hand will be brought to him |
| 58/54 | en₃ nu-ra-tar šu na-ma-ni-ib₂-šum₂-mu | Who does not inquire after you, do not give your hand to him |
| 59/55 | šu nu-sa₆-sa₆ ki nam-dub-sar-ra gu₃ nu-mu-ra-de₂-e | The hand is not good, the place of the scribal art is not able to speak to you |
| 60/56 | lu₂-tumu ehi-ta zi₂ ša₃-ŋar-ta uš₂ | a man from afar, flour from the šabartu-vessel |
| 61/57 | niŋ₂-HAR-ra ehi-ehi-da ŋen-na ur₅-ra me-te-zu | (Sum) The ... of the šēpê-demon, your name is appropriate (Akk) Your ... is appropriate |
| 62/58 | gaba-ri-ŋu₁₀-um-me-en | I am a rival |
| 63/59 | a-na-aš-am₃ GA₂-e gaba-ri-zu nu-me-en | Why am I not your rival? |
| 64/60 | lu₂-tumu lul du₁₁-du₁₁ ra-gaba ki bad-ra₂ | The liar, the false one, the ragaba priest, the distant place, |
| 65/61 | gud sa ab-ku₅-ku₅ {ŋeš}šutul₄-a nu₂-nu₂ | The ox is cut off, the cook lies down. |
| 66/62 | gud gu₃ ra-ah BIR.BIR{ri}-ta zi-ir-zi-ir | “The ox, the roaring bull, rises from the midst of the riots! |
| 67/63 | geme₂ ŠU.HA {ŋeš}ba-an-e u₄ zal-zal-e | The female worker, the hand of the šuḫ-priest, spent the day |
| 68/64 | saŋ lu₂-tumu udun bahar₂-ra-ka nu₂-nu₂ | In the saŋ of a man lying in the potter’s oven, |
| 69/65 | saman₄-la₂ ku₃ dam-gara₃{ra}-ka til-til | the samanla-priest, the silver of the merchant, finished; |
| 70/66 | lu₂ kurun-na zi₃ munu₄ gu₇-gu₇ | a man who eats flour and malt, |
| 71/67 | kiše₄ a-AK ŋa₂-nu lu₂ KU sila-ta bar-bar | “At the crossing of the river, a man ... from the street. |
| 72/68 | lil hu-ru-um eme za₃-ga bar-bar uš₇ | The lil hurû-demon, whose tongue is swollen on the outside |
| 73/69 | a-na-gen₇-nam ze₄-e ŋa₂-da mu-da-ab-sa₂-e | How can I find you? |
| 74/70 | ni₂-su-ub lu₂-tumu dim₂-ma {ugu}ugu₄-bi | The nisub priestess is a man who sees things. |
| 75/71 | e₂ nu-tuku e-sir₂-ra nu₂-nu₂ | The one who does not have a house lies down in the street. |
| 76/72 | {im}šu-rin-na nam-lu₂-lu₇{lu}-ka zi₃ munu₄ i-ni-bara₃-bara₃ nam-lu₂-lu₇-ka | In the šurina of humanity flour and malt were heaped up, in humanity |
| 77/73 | {dug}utul₂ ar-za-na {im}šu-rin-na-ta e₁₁-da-zu-ne | When you bring out the bowl of Arzana from the oven |
| 78/74 | ba-e-de₃-gaz tu₇ al-bil₂-la-ta | After you have destroyed it, after you have carried off the soup, |
| 79/75 | {uzu}ma-sila₃ sa-šal-zu kuš-a ab-zil-zil | Your sasila-vessel is twisted in the skin |
| 80/76 | {ge}gur nisi-ga-ta zu₂ e-da-ra-ah | “From the reedbeds of the ziggurat, he was smitten, |
| 81/77 | {ge}gur ŠU.HA-da-ke₄ ku₆ mi-ni-ib-kar-kar | The reed mats of the hand are smashed with fish. |
| 82/78 | u₄ AŠ.AŠ ŋešba₂ da-gum-ta igi-KA-zu al-gu₄-gu₄-ud | When you are to look at the ... of the sea, your eyes are full of tears |
| 83/79 | ga-ab-sa₁₀ šakanka{ka} lu₂ še sa-sa-a | I want to buy (them) in the market place, a man who has weighed out barley |
| 84/80 | lu₂ ni₂-su-ub-ba-gen₇ igi-zu-ta ab-ta-kar-kar-re-en-de₃-en | Like a man in a rage, we will chase him away from your face. |
| 85/81 | udun bahar₂-ra-ka kir₃-kir₃-re-da-zu-ne | When you make the udug drum in the potter's oven shine, |
| 86/82 | gu₂-ŋur₂₃-zu-ta za₃ gu-du-zu-še₃ | From your neck to your shoulders |
| 87/83 | zu₂-keše₂ simₓ(GIG)-ma ab-ta-si-si | I shaved my head with a bandage and |
| 88/84 | {ge}bešeŋ inda₃ kurum₆-ma lukur-e-ne-ke₄ u₃-mu-un-šub-be₂ | The ninda offerings of the nadītum priests will speak to him |
| 89/85 | geme₂ lukur-ra al-tur-tur-re-eš-am₃ | The nadītu women are small |
| 90/86 | igi-zu {šaha₂}ze₂-eh-tur-gen₇ am₃-ur₄-ur₄-re-de₃-eš | When you look at your face like a pigeon, |
| 91/87 | e₂ diŋir eš₃ AŠ.AŠ-ka | The temple of Ibir, your ... temple |
| 92/87 | i₃-du₈ gudu₄-bi u₃-sa₂ igi-bi-ta a-ra-ra-dag en-nu-uŋ₃ a-ra-AK-ne | The doorkeepers and the gudu-priests keep watch over each other. |
| 93/88 | lu₂-tumu saŋ ka-bi nu-gu₇ | A man whose mouth does not eat bread |
| 94/89 | ša₃-gal-la-ni-še₃ gana₂ kalam-ma NIGIN₂.NIGIN₂ | His greatness covers the fields of the Land |
| 95/90 | a-na-aš-am₃ in nu-zu-a-ŋu₁₀ mu-un-tub₂-tub₂-be₂-en | Why do you not know how to speak? |
| 96/91 | a-ga-ŋu₁₀-še₃ na-an-gub-be₂-en igi-ŋu₁₀-uš in-zu ga-mu-ra-ab-til | Do not stand before me, I want to finish what I have learned. |
| 97/92 | al-ŋen al-zal kiŋ₂-e ba-an-la₂ | He roamed around, he stretched out his net on the ground. |
| 98/93 | ni₂ buluŋ₅ a-ša₃-ga DU {kuš}a-ŋa₂-la₂ šu-še₃ la₂ | fear of the bulû-demon in the field ... a sandal is in his hand |
| 99/94 | lu₂ huŋ-ŋa₂ egir kar-ke₄-da-ke₄ | The one of the ḫuba prayer behind the quay |
| 100/95 | {ge}gur u₂ de₅-ga mi-ni-ib-il₂-il₂-i | He raised the “gur of the pastures’ grass. |
| 101/96 | u₄ buru₁₄-ka a₂-zu ša₃-gal-zu nu-ub-da-sa₂ | At harvest time, your strength cannot be equaled |
| 102/97 | kiŋ₂-ta ba-sah₆ šakanka{ka} mu₇-mu₇ ba-gub-be₂-en | You are the one who is swept away from the ground and stands in the market. |
| 103/98 | e₂ lu₂ AN kaš de₂-a-ka u₃-ŋen-ne-en | In the house where a man pours beer, how long will you be there? |
| 104/99 | egir lu₂ kaš de₂-a-ka ba-an-ku₄-re-en | After you bring the beer, you are the one who brought it. |
| 105/100 | {u}ugu₆-za igi ab-sag₃-sag₃-ge-ne GAN | When you look at your udug plant, |
| 106/101 | gu₂-zu ki-a u₃-ba-e-ni-ŋar tu-qa₂-da-ad | When you raise your neck to the earth, you are to be counted. |
| 107/102 | ni₂-zu šu nu-zu-a a-ra-ab-kara₂ | May your fear not come near to you |
| 108/103 | niŋ₂-gu₇-u₃-da šu pa₄-hal-la ab-zi-zi-i qa₂-ta na-ši | The one who eats by himself is taken away by hand. |
| 109/104 | e₂-me-eš-ka ŋessu NIGIN₂.NIGIN₂ | In your temples, a totality is formed. |
| 110/105 | u₄ se₂₉-da-ka gaba u₄-da NIGIN₂.NIGIN₂ | In those distant days ... |
| 111/106 | lu₂-tumu saŋ gu₂ NE-ka nu₂-nu₂ | (Sum) A man lying on a bed of ... (Akk) A woman lying on the bed of the ... |
| 112/107 | bala-bala-e-da-zu-ne a₂-šu-ŋiri₃ ku₅ kuš-a ab-zil-zil | When you cross over the river banks, the canals are cut down, the sandals are twisted |
| 113/108 | e₂ buru₃-buru₃ šaha₂ zuh-zuh | house of buruburu, šahzuḫ |
| 114/109 | a-na-aš-am₃ ga-ba-al mu-du₃-du₃-e-en | Why do you spend time there? |
| 115/110 | in mu-e-tub₂-ba-ŋu₁₀ su-ŋa₂ nu-ŋal₂ | If he slips through the cracks, he will not carry off his garment. |
| 116/111 | ŋa₂-nu e-sir₂-še₃ e₃-mu-da | When he came forth from the steppe |
| 117/112 | lu₂ zu-ne igi he₂-mu-e-du₈-uš-am₃ | Those who know me have seen me. |
| 118/113 | na-ŋa₂-ah-me-en egir enim-ma-zu nu-e-zu | I am a fugitive, I do not know behind your words |
| 119/114 | lu₂ sikil-du₃-a-me-en niŋ₂-nam nu-e-zu | I am a pure man, I do not know myself. |
| 120/115 | is-hab₂ di-da nu-TAKA₄.TAKA₄-me-en | I am the one who does not squabble in a lawsuit. |
| 121/116 | lu₂ saŋ ge₄-a enim-ma la-ba-an-tuš-en | You are the one who does not sit on the throne |
| 122/117 | lu₂ gu₃ ra-ah ša₃ NE-ka nu₂-nu₂ | The one who shouts ... lies down. |
| 123/118 | lu₂ ša₃-ŋar-ra inda₃ kar-kar-re | The šabara-priest eats the bread |
| 124/119 | lu₂ dab₅-ba {ge}bešeŋ e₂ diŋir-re-e-ne-ke₄ saŋ-bur₂-bi nu-mu-un-na-kal-e | The one who is seized does not eat the sabur offerings of the temple of the intercessors. |
| 125/120 | zi₂-za gu₃ de₂-de₂ dag-ge₄-a a-ra-lu₃-lu₃ | When you raise your voice, Arallulu, |
| 126/121 | lu₂ pe-el-la₂ teš₂ TUKU.TUKU nu-zu | The defiled man knows nothing. |
| 127/122 | lu₂ kara₂-ga niŋ₂-ur₂-ra gu₇-gu₇ | The one in charge of the quay eats by himself. |
| 128/123 | lu₂ saŋ-DU-a dumu lu₂ nu-zu | The one who ... the son of a stranger |
| 129/124 | ki-ma-an-zi₂-ir lu₂ kal-la nu-zu | The one who does not know the kimanzir ritual, |
| 130/125 | ur-saŋ gub-ba šu-bi-še₃ la₂-a | the hero stationed there, his hand bound |
| 131/126 | i₃-gub nu-mu-un-ge-en i₃-tuš li-bi₂-in-sa₆ | He did not stand there, he did not sit there. |
| 132/127 | i₃-šid ba-e-ul₄-e-en u₂-ha-li-iq i₃-sar šu ib₂-ta-an-ur₃ | he smote you, he destroyed, and wiped his hand clean |
| 133/128 | niŋ₂ IM-sar-re gu₃ nu-ub-ta-de₂-e | (Sum) He does not utter a supplication to himself (Akk) She does not speak to himself |
| 134/129 | dugud-bi ab-sar-re šu-ni ab-zu-hu-ul | He wrote its foundations, he destroyed its brickwork |
| 135/130 | šid-da-aš la-ba-ab-du₇ sar-re-da me-te-bi in-nu | The scribal art is not perfected, it is not suitable for writing. |
| 136/131 | dub ha-ma-tur ul₄-la-bi ga-ab-til | May the tablet be small, I want to finish it quickly! |
| 137/132 | ki-gub-ba-ni u₂-gu u₂-ha-li-iq i-ni-in-de₂ | (Sum) He destroyed his standing place, he destroyed it (Akk) His standing place was destroyed, she destroyed it |
| 138/133 | ki-tuš-a-ni i₃-BIR.BIR{ri} | his dwelling shall be scattered |
| 139/134 | dim₂-ma ab-ta-šub-ba KA ab-ta-giri₁₆-da | (Sum) The one who makes a šēdu-object shine, the one who illuminates the darkness(?) (Akk) The man who makes an omen shine |
| 140/135 | a-ba-am₃ gu₃ e-ra-an-de₂-ma | Who is it that will speak to you? |
| 141/136 | a-na-zu al-ŋal₂-ma du₁₄-še₃ im-ta-an-e₃ | What have you done? It has brought forth a lament. |
| 142/137 | gub-ba lu₂-tumu ga-ba-al he₂-mu-e-du₃ nam-mu-du₃-du₃-e-en | Stand, man, I want to go! You should build it, you should not build it! |
Sources & licences
- Open Richly Annotated Cuneiform Corpus (ORACC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 (ORACC default); per-file JSON license fields say: This data is released under the CC0 license (133618) · ORACC project editions, https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu/ ; cite the individual project (see texts.extra_json.project)
Cite the original edition and translator. Page generated by Unread Atlas from the public corpus export of 2026-10-18.