Reading akkadian PRayeRs & Hymns An Introduction

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READING AKKADIAN PRAYERS AND HYMNS: AN INTRODUCTION
TRANSLATION:
i
1. Sing of the goddess, the most awe-inspiring of the goddesses,
2. Let the lady of the people, the great one of the Igigi be praised!
3. Sing of Ishtar, the most awe-inspiring of the goddesses,
4. Let the lady of the women, the great one of the Igigi be praised!
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5. She of excitement, clothed with sexual charm,
6. She is adorned with sexual allure, attraction, and appeal.
7. Ishtar of excitement, clothed with sexual charm,
8. She is decorated with sexual allure, attraction, and appeal.
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9. With regard to (her) lips she drips honey, her mouth vivacity,
10. Smiles flourish upon her face.
11. She is resplendent, loveliness is set upon her head,
12. Her tones are beautiful, her eyes colorful (and) iridescent.
iv
13. The goddess—counsel is with her,
14. She holds the destinies of everything in her hand.
15. At her glance happiness is engendered,
16. Dignity, splendor, a protective spirit (and) guardian.
v
17. She loves attention, passion, (and) contentedness,
18. And she controls concord.
19. The young woman whom/who she calls/has been abandoned obtains a
mother (in her),
20. One invokes her among women/people, one calls her name.
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21. Who can rival her greatness? Who?
22. Her cultic ordinances are powerful, supreme, (and) brilliant.
23. Ishtar—who can rival her greatness?
24. Her cultic ordinances are powerful, supreme, (and) brilliant.
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25. She is the one whose position is foremost among the gods,
26. Her word is respected, it prevails over them/theirs.
27. Ishtar, whose position is foremost among the gods,
28. Her word is respected, it prevails over them/theirs.
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29. She is their queen, they discuss her utterances,
30. All of them kneel before (lit. to) her.
31. They go to her (in) her luminescence,
32. Women and men fear her.
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33. In their assembly, her speaking is pre-eminent, supreme,
34. She is seated with them as an equal to Anu, their king.