| 1 | A powerful and feared warlord prepared to do battle by first making an offering to the gods. |
| 2 | He commanded his men seize one hundred bulls from the farmers on land under his control. |
| 3 | When the bulls were brought before him and slaughtered, the warlord did declare: Oh mighty Lord Bel! |
| 4 | Grant me victory this day through your favor with this humble sacrifice. |
| 5 | Yet the battle did not favor the warlord and he was soundly defeated, losing more than half his lands. |
| 6 | Whereupon, he rallied his troops and then seized his own first born son, calling out: Oh fearful Lord Bel! |
| 7 | Grant me retribution upon my enemies, by this most earnest sacrifice of my first born son. |
| 8 | Yet when the warlord attacked the enemy, his remaining troops were routed and the warlord captured. |
| 9 | Sitting in prison and awaiting his uncertain fate, the captured warlord cried: Oh mysterious Lord Bel! |
| 10 | By my own honorable death, grant my house eternal vengeance against such enemies that forced me to sacrifice so much. |
| 11 | Suddenly Bel appeared before him and said thus: Behold, I am thee in whose name you have caused much calamity. |
| 12 | Alas, no favor did the death of innocent bulls give thee, when they were not yours to offer. |
| 13 | Verily, you disgraced heaven and earth upon the turpid waste of the most precious gift of the gods to you. |
| 14 | Thus of all your offerings, only the offer to end your miserable life be vaguely pious. |
| 15 | Therefore, I accept your offering and your life be now mine. |
| 16 | Behold, I bind you to not die for one hundred years and unto your vainglory. |
| 17 | That you may be punished for your false sacrifices and may warn others. |
| 18 | For not the flesh of innocent beasts or children be pleasing to the gods, but honor in life and death. |
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