| 1 | O heroic one, Ishtar; the immaculate one of the goddesses, |
| 2 | Torch of Heaven and earth, radiance of the continents, |
| 3 | The goddess ‘Lady of Heaven', |
| 4 | first-begotten of Sin, |
| 5 | first-born of Ningal, |
| 6 | Twin-sister of . . . the hero Shamash [the Sun-god]; |
| 7 | O Ishtar, you are Anu [the supreme god], you rule the heavens; |
| 8 | With Enlil the Counsellor you advise mankind; |
| 9 | The Word, creator of liturgies and rituals of ‘Hand-washing'. |
| 10 | Where conversation takes place, you, like Shamash, are paying attention, |
| 11 | You alter the Fates, and an ill event becomes good; |
| 12 | I have sought you amongst the gods; supplications are offered to you; |
| 13 | To you amongst the goddesses I have turned, with intent to make entreaty, |
| 14 | Before you is a (protecting) shedu[a genie], behind you a (protecting) lamassu [another type of genie], |
| 15 | At your right is Justice, at your left Goodness, |
| 16 | Fixed on your head are Audience, Favour, Peace, |
| 17 | Your sides are encompassed with Life and Well-being; |
| 18 | How good it is to pray to you, how blessed to be heard by you! |
| 19 | Your glance is Audience, your utterance is the Light. |
| 20 | Have pity on me, O Ishtar! Order my prospering! |
| 21 | Glance on me in affirmation! Accept my litany! |
| 22 | I have borne your yoke; set tranquility (for me)! |
| 23 | I have sought your brightness; may my face be bright. |
| 24 | I have turned to your dominion; may it be life and well-being for me. |
| 25 | May I (too) have a favourable shedu like that before you; |
| 26 | May I (too) have a lamassu like that which goes behind you. |
| 27 | May I garner the prosperity at your right hand, |
| 28 | May I attain to the favour at your left hand. |
| 29 | Lengthen my days, bestow life! |
| 30 | Let me live, let me be well, let me proclaim your divinity. |
| 31 | Let me achieve what I desire . . . . |
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Incantation to Ishtar