Transliteration and Translation


Transliteration after Roland Koch, Die Erzählung des Sinuhe, Bibliotheca Aegyptiaca 17, Brussels 1990, using the two principal sources (Berlin 3022 for the bulk of the text, and Berlin 10499, for the first section, missing in 3022)

The section divisions have been introduced here for convenience, based on those of Stephen Quirke (see "Digital Egypt for Universities") Sinuhe pages for the 'University College London'. After each section number are given the corresponding line-numbers in Berlin 10499 for the start, and Berlin 3022 from the point it is preserved Transliteration system following the Manuel de Codage

Underlined section headings reference comments for the section.

1 (Berlin 10499, lines 1-2)
iry pat HAty-a sAb aD-mr ity m styw
rx nswt mAa mry.f Smsw sA-nhAt
Dd.f

Nobleman and overlord, governor and canal-cutter, sovereign among the Syrians
One known to the king directly, his favourite, the Follower Sanehat
He says:

2 (Berlin 10499, lines 2-5)
ink Smsw Sms nb.f bAk n ipt nswt
irt pat wrt Hswt Hmt nswt snwsrt m Xnm-swt
sAt nswt imn-m-HAt m
qA-nfrw nfrw nbt imAx

I am a Follower who follows his lord, a servant of the family-quarters of the king
Of the noblewoman, abounding in favour, King's Wife of Senusret in Khenemsut
King's Daughter of Amenemhat in Qaneferu, Neferu, lady of reverence

3 (Berlin 10499, lines 5-11)
rnpt-sp 30 Abd 3 Axt sw 7
ar nTr r Axt.f nswt-bity sHtp-ib-ra
sHr.f r pt Xnm m itn Haw-nTr Abx m ir-sw
iw Xnw m sgr ibw m gmw
rwt wrty xtmw
Snyt m tp-Hr-mAsty pat m imw

Regnal year 30, month 3 of Flood, day 7
The god ascended to his horizon, the dual king Sehetepibra
He fared up to the sky, joining with the sun-disk, divine limbs merging with his creator
The Residence was in silence, hearts in sorrow,
The Double Gate sealed,
The court with head on knees, the nobles in lament

4 (Berlin 10499, lines 12-16)
ist rf sb.n Hm.f mSa r tA-timHw
sA.f smsw m Hry iry
nTr nfr snwsrt
ti-sw hAb r Hw xAswt r sqrH imyw THnw
ti-sw Hm iy.f in.n.f sqrw-anx n THnw
mnmnt nbt nn Drw.s

Now His Majesty had sent an army against the Land of the Timehu
With his eldest son as its commander,
The good god Senusret
He was sent to smite the hill lands, to quell the inhabitants of Tjehenu
He was just on his return, and had brought the captives of Tjehenu,
And all the limitless herds

5 (Berlin 10499, lines 17-22)
smrw nw stp-sA hAb.sn r gs-imnty
r rdit rx sA nswt sSm xpr m a-Xnwty
gm.n.sw wpwtyw Hr wAt
pH.n.sn sw r tr n xAwy
n sp sinn.f r-ssy
bik aXm.f Hna Smsw.f
nn rdit rx st mSa.f

The courtiers of the Palace despatched to the Western reaches,
To inform the King's Son of the turn of events in the Chamber
The envoys found him on the road,
And had reached him at the time of dusk
Not a slight moment did he delay,
The falcon, he flew off with his followers,
Without having his army informed of it

6 (Berlin 10499, lines 22-25, second half corresponding to Berlin 3022, 1-2)
ist hAb r msw nswt
wnw m-xt.f m mSa pn
nis.n.tw n wa im
ist wi aHa.kwi sDm.n.i xrw.f
iw.f mdw.f iw.i m ar wA

Now there was a despatch with regard to the King's children
who were following him in this army
One of them was summoned
Now I was up, and heard his voice
When he was speaking - I was a short distance away

7 (Berlin 3022, 2-7)
psx ib.i sn awy.i sdA xr m at.i nbt
nfa.n.i wi m nftft r HH n.i st dgA
rdit wi imywt bAt, r iwt wAt Sm.s
irt.i Smt m xntyt
n kA.i spr r Hnw pn
xmt.n.i xpr Haayt
n Dd.i anx r-sA nn

My heart stopped, my arms crossed, trembling fell through my whole body
I slipped back in starts to seek out a hiding-place,
To place myself between the bushes, to remove the way and its farer
I made my way south
without thinking of approaching this Residence.
I imagined there would be bloodshed,
and I denied I could survive it

8 (Berlin 3022, 8-11)
nmi.n.i mAaty m hAw nhAt
smA.n.i m iw-snfrw
wrS.n.i m aD n sxt
HD.n.i wn hrw
xp.n.i s aHa m r-wAt
tr.n.f wi snd n.f

I negotiated the Sea of Truth in the area of the Sycamore,
And I made it to the Island of Sneferu
I rested on the curb of the fields,
And moved on when it came to day.
I crossed a man standing at a fork in the road:
He hailed me, but I feared him

9 (Berlin 3022, 11-20)
xpr.n tr n msyt sAH.n.i r dmi ngA
DA.n.i m wsxt nn HMw.s m swt n imnty
sn.n.i Hr iAbtyw ikw m Hryt nbt Dw-dSr
rdit.i wAt n rdwy.i m xd
dmi.n.i inbw-HqA iry r xsf styw r ptpt nmiw-Sa
Ssp.n.i ksw.i m bAt
m snd mAA wrSy tp inb imy hrw.f
ir.i Smt tr n xAwy

Evening fell as I trod on to the mooring-point of the horned bull
I ferried across in a cargo-boat without a rudder, thanks to a breeze from the west
I crossed by the east of the quarry in the ascent of the Goddess of the Red Mountain
I forced my legs to move on northwards
I reached the Walls of the Ruler, made to repel the Syrians and trample on the nomads
I took my shelter in the bush
From fear of being seen by the guard on the wall who was on duty
And made my way at night

10 (Berlin 3022, 20-24)
HD.n tA pH.n.i ptn
xn.kwi r tA n km-wr
xr.n ibt As.n.f wi
ntb.kwi xx.i xm
Dd.n.i dpt mwt nn
Tst.i ib.i Haw.i

At daybreak I reached Peten
And alighted at the land of the Great Black Water
Thirst struck, it overwhelmed me
I panted, my throat parched
I said, this is the taste of death,
Binding my heart and my body

11 (Berlin 3022, 24-28)
sDm.n.i xrw nmi n mnmnt
gmH.n.i styw
siA.n wi mtn im pA wnn Hr kmt
aHa.n rdi.n.f n.i mw ps n.i irtt
Sm.n.i Hna.f n wHyt.f nfr irt.n.sn

I heard the sound of lowing of cattle
And sighted Syrians
I was spied out by one of their scouts who had been in Egypt
Then he gave me water, and milk was cooked for me
I went with him to his people. What they did was good.

12 (Berlin 3022, 28-31)
rdi.n wi xAst n xAst
fx.n.i r kpny Hs.n.i r qdmi
ir.n.i rnpt wa gs im in wi amw-nnSi
HqA pw n rtnw Hrt

Hill-land passed me to hill-land
I wound up in Byblos, and travelled up to Qedem
I had spent a year and a half there when Amunenshi fetched me,
He being a ruler of the hinterland of Syria

13 (Berlin 3022, 31-36)
Dd.f n.i
nfr tw Hna.i sDm.k r n kmt
Dd.n.f nn rx.n.f qd.i sDm.n.f SsA.i
mtr.n wi rmT kmt ntyw im Hna.f aHa.n
Dd.n.f n.i
pH.n.k nn Hr-sy iSst
in iw wn xprt m Xnw

He said to me
You would be well with me, you can hear Egyptian
He said this because he knew my character, and had heard of my talent
The Egyptians who were there with him had given witness for me
Then he said to me
How is it that you have reached these parts,
Has something happened in the Residence?

14 (Berlin 3022, 36-43)
aHa.n Dd.n.i n.f
nswt bity sHtp-ib-ra wDA r Axt
n rx.n.tw xprt Hr.s
Dd n.i swt m iw-ms
ii.n.i m mSa n tA-timHi
wHm.tw n.i
ib.i Ahd in.n.f wi Hr wAt nt wart
n psg.tw.i n wfA.tw r Hr.i
(n sDm Ts-Hwr n sDm.tw rn.i m r wHmw n rx.i in wi r xAst tn)
iw mi sxr nTr
mi mAA sw idHy m Abw
s n Xat m tA sty

Then I said to him,
The dual king Sehetepibra has gone to the horizon,
How it happened is not known.
But I was told indirectly. I was coming with the Timehi-land army
When it was reported to me
My heart failed, and brought me on the road of flight
Though I had not been implicated and no accusation had been made against me
(though so slander had been heard, and my name had not been mentioned by the reporter
        - I do not know what brought me to this hill-land)
It is as if a slight of the god,
As a Delta-man seeing himself in Abu
Or a marsh-man in the Land of the bow

15 (Berlin 3022, 43-45)
aHa.n Dd.n.f n.i
wnn irf tA pf mi-m m xmt.f nTr pf mnx
wnnw snd.f xt xAswt mi sxmt rnpt idw

Then he said to me
How will that land be now, without that effective god
Whose fear permeated the hill-lands like Sekhmet in a year of plague

16 (Berlin 3022, 45-51)
Dd.kA.i r.i n.f wSb.i n.f
nHmn sA.f aq r aH
iT.n.f iwat nt it.f
nTr pw nn snw.f nn ky xpr r Xr-HAt.f
nb sAt pw iqr sxrw mnx wDwt
prt hAt xft wD.f
ntf dAir xAswt iw it.f m Xnw aH.f
smi.f n.f SAt.f xpr

Then I addressed myself to him in reply to him
Why, his son is entering the palace
And has taken up the inheritance of his father
He is a god without equal, with no other existing before him
He is a master of far-sightedness, excellent in planning, effective in decrees
Coming and going follow his decrees
He is the one suppressing the hill-lands while his father was within his palace
And reporting to him that whatever he ordained has come to pass

17 (Berlin 3022, 51-59)
nxt pw grt ir m xpS.f
pr-a nn twt.n.f
mAA.tw.f hA.f r-pDt
Xam.f r-Daw
waf ab pw sgnn drwt
n Ts.n xrwy.f skw
ia-Hr pw tSb wpwt
n aHa.n.tw m hAw.f
pd nmtwt pw sti.f bhAw
nn pHwy n dd-n.f-sA
aHa-ib pw m At sAsA
anw pw n rdin.f sA.f
wmt-ib pw mAA.f aSAt
n rdi.n.f Hms HA ib.f

He is truly a strong man made by his strong arm,
A man of action - noone comes close to him
He is to be seen as he descends for archery,
Joining the fray,
He is one who takes the horn, wearing down all hands
- so his enemies cannot gather their forces
He is one cleansed in sight, cleaving foreheads,
So noone can stand in his way
He is one who strides ahead to shoot down those in flight
Giving no quarter to the man who turns tail
He is the stout-hearted in the moment of the charge
He is the turner who never turns tail
He is the broad-hearted one when he sees the multitude,
Who never places rest behind his heart

18 (Berlin 3022, 60-65)
wd-Hr pw hA.f iAbtyw
rS.f pw Haq r-pDt
TAA.f ikm.f titi.f
n wHm.n.f a r Xdb
(nn wn rwi aHAw.f nn itH pDt.f)
bhA pDt Xr-HAt.f mi bAw n wrt
aHA.f xmt.f pHwy
n sA.n.f nn spt

He is the forward mover when he descends to the Easterners,
His delight is the plunder of archery,
He takes his shield, tramples underfoot,
He never raises his arm twice for the kill
(his arrow never strays, his bow never strains)
The nomads are routed before him as at the might of the Great Goddess
He fights and plans the outcome,
He never guards, without event

19 (Berlin 3022, 65-70)
nb iAmt pw aA bnit
iT.n.f m mrwt mr sw niwt.f r Haw.sn
HA st im.f r nTr.sn
swA Tayw Hmwt Hr rnnwt im.f
iw.f m nswt iT.n.f m swHt
Hr.f r.s Dr ms.tw.f
saSA pw msyt Hna.f
wa pw n dd nTr
rS-wy tA pn HqA.n.f

He is a lord of mercy, full of kindness,
He has conquered by love, his citizens love him more than themselves
They rejoice over him more than over their god
Women surpass men in extolling him
As he is king, and he had conquered still in the egg,
His face was set to it from the moment he was born
With him comes the increase in births
He is the sole one of the gift of god,
How joyful is this land that he has come to rule -

20 (Berlin 3022, 71-75)
swsx tASw pw
iw.f r iTt tAw rsw
nn kA.f xAswt mHtt
ir.n.tw.f r Hw styw r ptpt nmiw-Sa
hAb n.f imi rx.f rn.k
m Sn wA r Hm.f
[xt] nbt ir.f n.k [irt it.f]
nn tm.f ir bw nfr n xAst wnnty.sy Hr mw.f

He is one who extends the borders
He will seize the southern lands,
Before considering the northern lands
He has been made to smite the Syrians and trample the nomads
Send to him and let him know your name
Do not plot anything against His Majesty
He will do everything for you that his father did
He will not fail to do good for the hill-land that will be loyal to him

21 (Berlin 3022, 75-81)
Dd.n.f xft.i
xr Hm kmt nfrt nts rxt rwd.f
mk tw aA wnn.k Hna.i nfr irt.i n.k
rdi.n.f wi m HAt Xrdw.f
mni.n.f wi m sAt.f wrt
rdi.n.f stp.i n.i
m xAst.f m stpw n wnt Hna.f Hr tAS n kt xAst

He spoke before me:
Then fair Egypt, she is indeed the land that knows his firmness
You are here, though, and will be with me. What I do for you will be good
He placed me at the head of his children
He settled me with his eldest daughter
And let me choose for myself from his hill-land,
From the choicest of his surrounds on the border of the next hill-land

22 (Berlin 3022, 81-85)
tA pw nfr iAA rn.f
iw dAbw im Hna iArrt
wr n.f irp r mw
aA bit.f aSA bAq.f
dqr nb Hr xtw.f
iw it im Hna bdt
nn Drw mnmnt nbt

It was a fair land, called Iaa
There were figs there and grapes.
It had wine more abundant than water
Its honey was plentiful, its plant-oil innumerable
On its trees were all kinds of fruit
There was barley there and wheat,
And unlimited cattle of every kind

23 (Berlin 3022, 85-92)
aA grt dmit r.i m ii n mrt.i
rdi.n.f wi m HqA wHy m stp n xAst.f
ir.n.i aqw m mint irp m Xrt-hrw
iwf psw Apd m Asr Hrw r awt
iw grg.tw n.i iw wAH.tw n.i
Hr r inw n Tsmw.
i iw ir.tw n.i … aSAw irtt m pst nbt

Much also accrued to me as coming for love of me
He made me ruler of a clan from the most select of his hill-land
I acquired food, jars and wine in the course of a day
Meat was cooked, ducks roasted, as well as the livestock
They laid snares for me, and laid down the catch for me,
As well as the goods of my hounds
They made for me numerous [foods?] and milk in every kind of dish

24 (Berlin 3022, 92-99)
ir.n.i rnpwt aSAt
Xrdw.i xpr m nxtw
s nb m dAir wHyt.f
wpwty xd xnt r Xnw Ab.f Hr.i
iw sAb.i rmT nbt iw.i di mw n ib
rdi.n.i tnm Hr wAt nHm.n.i awA
styw wA r Stm r xsf a HqAw xAswt
DAis.n.i Smwt.sn

I spent many years,
And my children had grown to adults.
Each man of them in control of his own clan,
And any envoy on his way to or from the Residence, he stopped by me
I sheltered everyone, I gave water to the thirsty,
I placed the man who went astray back on the road, I rescued the afflicted,
Any Syrians who fell to fomenting strife and disturbing the rulers of hill-lands,
I challenged their movements

25 (Berlin 3022, 99-109)
iw HqA pn n rtnw di.f iry.i rnpwt aSAt m Tsw n mSa.f
xAst nbt rwt.n.i r.s
iw ir.n.i hd.i im.s
drt Hr smw Xnmwt.s
Haq.n.i mnmnt.s in.i Xr.s nHm wnmt.s
smA.n.i rmT im.s
m xpS.i m pDt.i m nmtwt.i m sxrw.i iqrw
Ax.n.i m ib.f mr.n.f wi rx.n.f qnn.i
rdi.n.f wi m HAt Xrdw.f
mA.n.f rwd awy.i

This ruler of Syria made me spend many years as commander of his army
Every hill-land I moved against,
I ensured I prevailed over it,
Removing down to the plants at its wells,
I captured its cattle, brought away its servants, removed their food
And slew its inhabitants,
by my right arm, by my bow, by my movements, by my excellent plans
I became invaluable to him, and he loved me, for he know how valiant I was
He placed me at the head of his children,
For he saw the firmness of my arms

26 (Berlin 3022, 109-113)
iwt nxt n rtnw
mTA.n.f wi m afA.i
pry pw nn snw.f
dr.n.f s r Dr.s
Dd.n.f aHA.f Hna.i
xmt.n.f Hwt.f wi
kA.n.f Haq mnmnt.i Xr sH n wHyt.f

There came a hero of Syria
who challenged me in my tent
He was an unrivalled champion,
Who had prevailed over the entire region
He said he would fight me,
He intended to smite me,
He planned to carry off my cattle before the council of his clan

27 (Berlin 3022, 113-127)
HqA pf nDnD.f Hna.i Dd.kA.i n rx.i sw
n ink tr smA.f wstn.i m afAi.f
in nt pw wn n.i sA.f snb.n.i inbwt.f
rqt-ib pw Hr mAA.f wi Hr irt wpwt.k
nHmn wi mi kA n Hww m-Hr-ib ky idr
hd sw kA n awt ngA Hr Am rf
in iw wn twA mrrw n SA n tp-Hr
nn pDty smA m idHy
ptr smn idyt m Dw
in iw kA mr.f aHA
pry mr.f wHm sA m Hr nt mxA.f sw
ir wnn ib.f r aHA imi Dd n.f xrt-ib.f
in iw nTr xm Sat.n.f rx nt pw mi-m

That ruler was consulting with me, so I said I did not know the man,
That it was not I who went to him and strode into his tent,
Or was it I who opened his gate, and moved past his walls?
He must have been tempted to it when he saw me carrying out your missions
Well, I am like a bull of the strikers amid another herd of cattle
The bull of the herd smites him, the horned bull assails him
Does a lowly man become loved when fate makes him a master?
There is no desert-nomad who befriends a marshman
Does a marsh-reed flourish on the mountain-side
Does a bull love to fight,
Then should a herd-leader like to turn back in fear of being matched?
If he wishes to fight, let him be told his wish
Does a god not know what he ordained? Or a man who knows how it will be?

28 (Berlin 3022, 127-134)
sDr.n.i qAs.n.i pDt.i wd.n.i aHAw.i
an.i sn n bAgsw.i sXkr.n.i xaw.i
HD.n tA rtnw iyt Ddb.n.s wHyt.s
sHw.n.s xAswt nt gs-sy
kA.n.s aHA pn
iwt pw ir.n.f n.i aHa.kwi
di.n.i wi m hAw.f
HAty nb mAX n.i
Hmwt Tayw Hr aai
ib nb mr n.i r Dd
in iw wn ky nxt aHA r.f

I went to rest, tied my bow, sharpened my arrows,
Whetted the blade of my dagger, arrayed my weapons
At dawn Syria came, it roused its people,
It assembled the hill-lands on either side,
For it knew of this fight
He came toward me as I stood
And I placed myself next to him
Every heart was burning for me
Women and men pounding
Every mind was willing me on,
'is there any hero that can fight against him?'

29 (Berlin 3022, 134-142)
aHa.n ikm.f minb.f Hpt.f ns n nyswt xr
m-xt spr.n.i xaw.f
rdi.n.i swA Hr.i
aHAw.f sp n iwtt
waw Hr Xn m waw
aHa.n ir.n.f Aar.f r.i
xmt.n.f Hwt.f a.i
Xam.n.f wi sti.n.i sw
aHAw.i mn m nHbt.f
sbH.n.f xr.n.f Hr fnd.f
sxr.n.i sw m minb.f
wd.n.i iSnn Hr iAt.f
aAm nb Hr nmi
rdi.n.i Hknw n mntw
mr.f Hb n.f

And then his shield, his dagger, his armour, his holder of spears fell,
As I approached his weapons
I made my face dodge
And his weapons were wasted as nothing
Each piled on the next
Then he made his charge against me
He imagined he would strike my arm
As he moved over me, I shot him,
My arrow lodged in his neck,
He cried out, and fell on his nose,
I felled him with his dagger
I uttered my war-cry on his back,
Every Asiatic lowing
I gave praise to Mont
As his servants mourned for him

30 (Berlin 3022, 142-149)
HqA pn amw-nnSi rdi.n.f wi r Hpt.f
aHa.n in.n.i xt.f HAq.n.i mnmnt.f
kAt.n.f irt st r.i ir.n.i st r.f
iT.n.i ntt m imA.f kfA.n.i afAy.f
aA n.i im wsx n.i m aHaw.i
aSA n.i m mnmnt.i
xr irt nTr r Htp n Ts.n.f im.f
th.n.f r kt xAst
iw min ib.f ia

This ruler Amunenshi took me into his embrace,
Then I brought away his goods, I carried off his cattle,
What he had planned to do to me, I did to him,
I seized what was in his camp, and uncovered his tent
There I was in greatness, I was broad in my standing,
I enjoyed wealth in cattle,
Thus the god acted to make peace for the one he had cursed,
The one he had led away to another hill-land
Today his heart is appeased

31 (Berlin 3022, 149-156)
war war n hAw.f iw mtr.i m Hnw
sAA sAAy n Hqr iw.i di.i t n gsy
rww s tA.f n Hayt ink HDt pAqt
btA s n gAw hAb.f ink aSA mrt
nfr pr.i wsx st.i sxAwy.i m aH

The fugitive flees from his surrounds, but my right place is in the Residence,
The deserter deserts from hunger, but I can give bread to my neighbour
A man abandons his land from nakedness, but I, I own white linen, finest cloth,
A man runs away for lack of one to send, but I, I own many servants
My estate is fine, my place is broad, my renown is in the palace

32 (Berlin 3022, 156-164)
nTrw nb SA wart tn
Htp.k di.k wi r Xnw
smwn.k r rdit mA.i bw wrS ib.i im
ptr wrt r abt XAt.i m tA ms.kwi im.f
mi m sA.i pw xpr sp nfr di.n.i Htp nTr
ir.f mi xt r smnx pHwy n sfn.n.f
ib.f mr n dqr.n.f r anx Hr xAst
in min rf ntf Htp
sDm.f nH n wA
wdb.f a r Hw.n.f tA im.f
r bw in.n.f sw im

Whichever god ordained this flight
Be at peace, give me back to the Residence
Have mercy on me and let me see the place where my heart resides
See how great it is to wrap my corpse in the land in which I was born
Come in my defence, then, a good event has occurred, I have appeased the god
May he act so as to bring right the end for one he afflicted
May his heart ail for the one he excluded to live on the hill-land
Today at last he is appeased
Let him hear the prayer of the exile,
May he bring back his arm for the one he forced over the land
Back to the place he brought him from

33 (Berlin 3022, 165-173)
Htp n.i nswt n kmt anx.i m Htpt.f
nD xrt Hnwt ntt m aH.f
sDm.i wpwt nt Hrdw.s ix rnpy Haw.i
nt rf iAw hAw
wgg As.n.f wi
irty.i dns awy.i nw
rdwy.i fnx.sn Sms ib wrd
tkn wi n wDA sb.sn wi r niwt n nHH
Sms.i nbt-r-Dr ix Dd.s n.i nfr n msw.s
sb.s nHH Hr.i

May the king of Egypt be content with me, may I live in his pleasure
Greeting the lady who is in his palace
May I hear the missions of her children, that my body be young
For now old age has descended
Sloth has overwhelmed me
My eyes are heavy, my arms slack
My legs are unstable, my heart seeks rest
I am drawn close to departure, when they will bear me to the city of eternity
May I follow the Lady of All that she may tell me what is good for her children
May she draw eternity over me

34 (Berlin 3022, 173-177)
ist rf Dd n Hm n nswt-bity xpr-kA-ra mAa-xrw
Hr sSm pn nty wi Xr.f
Wn.in Hm.f hAb.f n.i Xr Awt-a nt xr nswt
sAw.f ib n bAk im mi HqA n xAst nbt
msw nswt nty m aH.f Hr rdit sDm.i wpwt.sn

Now report was made to the Majesty of the dual king Kheperkara justified
Concerning this condition I was suffering
Then His Majesty sent to me largesse of before the king
He extended his heart to this servant as to a ruler of any hill-land
And the king's children who were in his palace let me hear their commissions

35 (Berlin 3022, 178-187)
mity n wD iny n bAk im Hr int.f r kmt
Hr anx mswt nbty anx mswt
nswt-bity xpr-kA-ra sA ra imn-m-HAt anx Dt r nHH
wD nswt n Smsw sA-nhAt
mk in.tw n.k wD pn n nswt
r rdit rx.k ntt pXr.n.k xAswt
prt m qdm rtnw
dd tw xAst n xAst Xr sH n ib.k n.k
ptr irt.n.k ir.tw r.k
n waA.k xsf.tw mdw.k
n mdw.k m sH n srw itn.tw Tsw.k
sxr pn in.n.f ib.k nn rf m ib.i r.k
pt.k tn ntt m aH mn.s rwd.s m-min
dp.tw.s tp.s m nsyt nt tA
msw.s m aXnwty

Copy of the decree brought to this servant concerning bringing him to Egypt
The Horus living of births, he of the Two Ladies living of births,
The dual king Kheperkara son of Ra of Amenemhat living forever eternally
Decree of the king to the follower Sanehat
See this decree of the king is brought to you
To inform you that you have travelled the hill-lands
Going from Qedem of Syria
Hill-land gave you to hill-land following the counsel of your heart to yourself
What was it you had done, or had been done to you?
You did not say wrong that your words be punished
You did not speak in the council of officials that your statements be bound
This matter, it carried off your heart - there was nothing in my heart against you
This your heaven who is in the palace, she is well and strong today
Her head is adorned with the kingship of the land
Her children are in the inner palace

36 (Berlin 3022, 187-199)
wAH.k Spss n dd.sn n.k anx.k m Awt.sn
ir n.k iwt r kmt mA.k Xnw xpr.n.k im.f
sn.k tA r rwty wrty Xnm.k m smrw
iw min is SAa.n.k tni
fx.n.k bAAt
sxA n.k hrw n qrs sbt r imAx
wDa.tw n.k xAwy m sft wtAw m-a tAyt
ir.tw n.k Sms wDA hrw smA-tA
wi m nbw tp m xsbd pt Hr.k di.ti m mstpt
iHw Hr itH.k Smaw Xr-HAt.k
ir.tw xbb nnyw r r is.k
nis.tw n.k dbHt-Htpw sft.tw r r abw.k
iwnw.k xws m HD m qAb msw nswt
nn wn mwt.k Hr xAst nn bs tw aAmw
nn dit.k m inm n sr ir.tw Dr.k
iw nA Aw r Hwt tA mH Hr xAt iwt.k

May you add the riches of their gift to you, that you may live by their offerings
Prepare your return to Egypt, that you may see the Residence where you were born
That you may kiss the ground at the Great Double Gate, and join the courtiers
Today now you have begun to age
You have unravelled virility
You are reminded of the day of burial, of passing to reverence
A night is cut for you with oils and wrappings from the Goddess Linen
A procession of passing is made for you, on the day of rejoining the earth
A case of gold, a mask of lapis lazuli, the sky over you, placed in the bier
The oxen drawing you, chanters in front of you
Dances are made by the sacred dancers at the door of your tomb
Offerings are pronounced for you, meat is butchered at the door of your chapel
Your columns are enriched with silver in the midst of the king's children
You will not die upon the hill-land, the Asiatics will not inter you
You are not to be placed in a sheepskin as your enclosure is made
It is too long for wandering the land, think of the corpse and return

37 (Berlin 3022, 199-204)
spr.n wD pn r.i aHa.kwi m Hr-ib wHt.i
Sd.n.tw.f n.i
di.n.i wi Hr Xt.i
dmi.n.i sAtw
di.n.i sw sn Hr Snby.i
dbn.n.i n.i afAy.i Hr nhm r Dd
ir.tw nn mi-m n bAk th.n ib.f r xAswt DrDryt
xr Hm nfr wAH-ib nHm wi m-a mwt
iw kA.k r rdit iry.i pHwy Haw.i m Xnw

This decree reached me as I stood among my clan
It was read out to me
And I placed myself on my belly
I touched the ground
And put it strewn over my chest
I went around my camp shouting aloud
How is this done for a servant whose heart led him astray to foreign lands
This is utter good, the mercy that rescues me from death
Your spirit will let me spend the end of my bodily days in the Residence

38 (Berlin 3022, 204-214)
mity n smi n wD pn
bAk aH sA-nhAt Dd
m Htp nfr wrt
rxt wart tn irt.n bAk im m xm.f
in kA.k nTr nfr nb tAwy
mr ra Hs mntw nb wAst imn nb nswt tAwy
sbk-ra Hr Hwt-Hr itm Hna psDt.f
spdw nfr bAw smsrw Hr iAbty
nbt imHt Xnm.s tp.k DADAt tpt nw
mnw Hr Hr-ib xAswt wrrt nbt pwnt nwt Hr-wr-ra
nTrw nbw tA-mri xAst iww nw wAD-wr
di.sn anx wAs r srt.k
Xnm.sn tw m Awt-a.sn
di.sn n.k nHH nn Drw.f Dt nn Hnty.sy
wHm snd.k xt tAw xAswt waf.n.k Snnt itn
nH pw n bAk im n nb.f Sd m imnt

Copy of the report to this decree
The servant of the palace Sanehat says
In peace very greatly
Concerning this flight made by the humble servant in his ignorance
It is your ka, good god, lord of the two lands,
Whom Ra loves, praised by Mont lord of Thebes and Amun lord of the thrones of the two lands,
By Sobek-Ra, Horus, Hathor, Atum and his nine gods
Soped perfect of Might of Semseru, Horus the easterner
The lady of the cavern - may she join your brow, the tribunal at the front of the flood
Min-Horus amid the hill-lands, the great goddess, lady of Punt, Nut, Horwerra
All the gods of Egypt, of the hill-land, of the islands of the Great Green
May they give life and power to your nostrils
May they join you in their giving
May they grant you eternity without end and unbounded time
Fear of you rebounds through lands and hill-lands, you grasp what the sun-disk circles
This is a prayer by the humble servant to his lord for rescue from the west

39 (Berlin 3022, 214-223)
nb siA siA rxyt siA.f m Hm n stp-sA
wnn bAk im snd Dd st
iw mi xt aA wHm st
nTr aA mitw ra Hr sSsA bAk.n.f Ds.f
iw bAk im m-a nD-r Hr.f
di.tw A Xr sxr.f
iw Hm.k m Hr iT nxt awy.ky r tAw nbw
wD grt Hm.k rdit int.f
mki m qdm xntyw-s m xnt kS mnws m tAw fnxw
HqAw pw mtrw rnw xprw m mrwt.k
Nn sxA rtnw n.k im.s mitt Tsmw.k

Lord of insight, who perceives the populace, whose insight is the Majesty of the palace
This humble servant is in fear of saying it
It is like a matter too great to be repeated
Great god, equal of Ra, in informing the one who has worked for him himself
This humble servant is in the hand of the one consulting about him
It has to be placed under his care
Your Majesty is Horus who seizes, your arms are stronger than all lands
Now your Majesty decrees that he be brought,
And Meki in Qedem, the mountain-men leading Kesh, Menus from the land of Fenkhu,
These are the rulers by their exact names who have come into your affection
Without mentioning Syria, as much yours as are your dogs

40 (Berlin 3022, 223-234)
is wart tn irt.n bAk
n xmt.s nn s m ib.i n qmd.i s
r rx.i iwd.i r st.i iw mi sSm rswt
mi mAA sw idHy m Abw s n xAt m tA-sty
n snD.i n sxwst m-sA.i n sDm.i Ts-Hwrw
n sDm.tw rn.i m r wHmw
wpw-Hr nf n Ddf Haw.i
rdwy Hr hwhw ib.i Hr xrp.i
nTr SA wart tn Hr stA.i n ink is qA sA xnt
snd s rx tA.f
di.n ra snd.k xt tA Hr.k m xAst nbt
mi wi m Xnw m st tn
ntk Hbs Axt tn
wbn itn n mrt.k mw m itrw swrit.f mr.k
TAw m pt xnm.tw.f Dd.k

As for this flight made by this servant
It was not planned, it was not in my heart, I did not plot it
I do not know what separated me from my place, it was like a dream
It is as if a Delta-man saw himself in Abu, a marsh-man in the Land of Nubia
I did not fear, I was not persecuted, I heard no accusation
My name was not heard in the mouth of the reporter
And yet my limbs went cold,
Legs panicked, my heart took hold of me
The god who decreed this flight led me away: I am not the arrogant, not I
The man who knows his land, he fears
Ra has set fear of you throughout the land, the dread of you in every hill-land
Place me in the Residence or in this place,
You are still the one who clothes this horizon
The disk shines for love of you, water is in the river to be drunk at your desire
The air in the sky, it is breathed in when you say so

41 (Berlin 3022, 234-241)
iw bAk im r swDt TAt ir.n bAk im m st tn
iwt pw iry r bAk im ir Hm.k m mrr.f
anx.tw m TAw n dd.k mr ra Hr Hwt-Hr fnd.k pw Spss
mrrw Mntw nb wAst anx.f Dt
rdi.tw iry.i hrw m iAA Hr swDt xt.i n msw.i
sA.i smsw m-sA wHyt.i wHyt.i xt.i nbt m-a.f
Dt.i mnmnt.i nbt dqr.i xt.i nb bnri

This humble servant is to hand over the staff acquired by this servant in this place
Then this servant will be returned as your Majesty permits in his desire
We live by the breath of your gift, as Ra, Horus and Hathor love this your noble life
As Mont lord of Thebes wishes that it live forever

I was permitted a day in Iaa to hand over my things to my children
With my eldest son in charge of my clan, my clan and all my things in his hands,
My servants, all my cattle, my fruits, all my sweet trees

42 (Berlin 3022, 241-247)
iwt pw ir.n bAk im m xntyt
Hdb.n.i Hr wAwt Hr
Tsw im nty m-sA pXrt
hAb.f wpwt r Xnw r rdit rx.tw
rdi.in Hm.f iwt imy-r sxtyw mnx n pr nswt
aHaw Atpw m-xt.f Xr Awt-a nt xr nswt
n styw iww m-sA.i Hr sbt.i r wAwt Hr
dm.n.i wa im nb m rn.f
iw wdpww nb Hr irt.f
Ssp.n.i Atp n.i nfw
Sbb atx tp-mAa.i r pHt.i dmi n iTt

This servant arrived south,
I touched on the ways of Horus,
And the commander there who was organising patrols
Sent a message to the Residence to inform them
Then his Majesty sent the good overseer of foragers of the King's House
Followed by ships laden with the gifts of before the king
For the Syrians who came along with me to bring me to the ways of Horus
I pronounced each of them by his name
All the cupbearers were busy at their tasks
I received and the captain loaded for me,
And there was kneading and straining beside me until I reached the landing of Itj(tawy)

43 (Berlin 3022, 248-256)
HD.n rf tA dwA dwA iw iw AS n.i
s mD m iwt s mD m Smt Hr sTA.i r aH
dhn.n.i tA imywt Sspw
msw nswt aHa m wmtw Hr irt xsfw.
i smrw stAw r wAx Hr rdit.i Hr wAt aXnwty
gm.n.i Hm.f Hr st wrt m wmt nt Dam
wn.kwi rf dwn.kwi Hr Xt.i
xm.n.i wi m bAH.f
nTr pn Hr wSd.i xnms
iw.i mi s it m axxw
bA.i sbw Haw.i Adw
HAty.i n ntf m Xt.i rx.i anx r mwt

Very early at daybreak there came the summons for me
Ten men coming, ten men going to lead me to the palace
I touched the ground between the dawn rays
As the king's children stood on the walls at the conduct of my approach
The courtiers were led to the audience hall as I was placed on the way to the inner palace
I found His Majesty on the great throne on a podium of electrum
Then I was stretched out on my belly
I lost myself in his presence,
This god addressed me friendlily
As I was like a man seized in pitch black
My soul had gone, my body trembled
My heart was no longer in my body - could I know life from death?

44 (Berlin 3022, 256-260)
Dd.in Hm.f n waw m nn n smrw
Ts sw imi mdw.f n.i
Dd.in Hm.f
mk tw iwt Hw.n.k xAswt
ir.n wart hd im.k tni
pH.n.k iAwy
nn Srr abt xAt.k
nn bs.k in pDtyw m ir.k sp sn gr
n mdw.k dm.tw rn.k

Then His Majesty said to one of those courtiers
Raise him and let him speak to me
Then His Majesty said
Look at you, on return from travelling the hill-lands
The flight has worked its impact on you, you are grown old
You have reached old age
It is no trifle that your body will be purified,
That you will not be interred by nomads - do not, do not be silent
You have not spoken, though your name is pronounced

45 (Berlin 3022, 260-263)
snd A n xsf wSb.n.i st m wSb sndw
ptr Ddt n.i nb.i
ir wSb.i st nn Hr.i a n nTr is pw
Hr pw wnn.s m Xt.i
mi sxpr wart SAAt
mk wi m-bAH.k ntk anx ir Hm.k m mrr.f

Fearing the hand of punishment, I answered with the answer of the fearful
What has my lord said to me
That I might answer it - there is no slight to the god in this
It is terror that resides in my body
Just as the fated flight came to be
See me before you - you are life, may your Majesty do as he desires

46 (Berlin 3022, 263-268)
rdi.in sb.tw msw nswt
Dd.in Hm.f n Hmt nswt
mt sA-nhAt iw m aAm qmA n styw
wd.s sbH aA wrt msw nswt m dnyt wat
Dd.in.sn xft Hm.f
n ntf pw m mAat ity nb.i
Dd.in Hm.f ntf pw m mAat

Then the king's children were brought in
And His Majesty said to the king's wife
Here is Sanehat, returned as an Asiatic, remade as a Syrian
She uttered a very great cry, and the king's children in one outburst
They said before His Majesty
It cannot truly be him, sovereign my lord
And His Majesty said, it is truly he

47 (Berlin 3022, 268-279)
ist rf in.n.sn mnit.sn sxmw.sn sSSt.sn m-a.s
ms.in.sn st n Hm.f awy.k r nfrt nswt wAH
Xkryt nt nbt pt
di nbw anx r fnd.k
Xnm tw nbt sbAw
xd Sma.s xnt mH.s smA twt m r n Hm.k
di.tw wAD m wpt.k sHr.n.k twAw m Dwt
Htp n.k ra nb tAwy hy n.k mi nbt-r-Dr
nft ab.k sfx sr.k
imi Taw n nty
m itmw imi n.n xnt tn nfrt
m mtn pn sA mHyt
pDty ms m tA-mri
ir.n.f wart n sndw.k rwi.n.f tA n Hr.k
nn Ayt Hr n mA Hr.k
nn snd irt dgAt n.k

At that they brought their counterpoises, their images, their sistra in their hands
They waved them at His Majesty
Your arms are for the good, O king enduring
The adornments of the lady of heaven
The goddess Gold gives life to your nose
The lady of the stars unites with you
The south crown fares north, the northern south, united as one in the way of your Majesty
The cobra is set at your brow, you have removed the weak from evil
Ra lord of the two lands is pleased with you, praise to you as to the Lady of All
Rest your bow, untie your arrow, give breath to the one in lifelessness
Allow us this good turn
This wayfarer, son of the north wind,
The nomad born in Egypt
He took flight for fear of you, he abandoned the land in dread of you
There will be no destruction for the face that sees your face
There will be no fear for the eye that looks at you

48 (Berlin 3022, 279-290)
Dd.in Hm.f
nn snd.f n di.f r Hr
iw.f r smr m-m srw
rdi.tw.f m qAb Snyt
wDA.tn r aXnwty
sbAt r irt aHaw.f
prt.i rf m-Xnw aXnwty
msw-nswt Hr rdit n.i aw.sn
Sm.n.i m-xt r rwty wrty
rdi.kwi r pr sA nswt Spss im.f
sqbby im.f aXmw nw Axt
xtmt im.f nt pr-HD
Hbsw nw Ss-nswt
antyw tpt srw nswt mrr.f m at nbt
wdpw nb Hr irt.f

Then His Majesty said
He shall not fear, nor be given over to terror
He is to be a courtier among the officials,
He may be placed in the midst of the court
Proceed to the inner palace,
For instruction in appointing his standing
So I went inside the inner palace
The king's children giving me their arms
I went then to the Great Double Gate
I was installed at the house of a king's son, full of riches
With a bathroom, and images of the horizon
With valuables from the treasury
- clothing of royal linen
and ointment of the first for the king's officials whom he loves
Every cupbearer was busy at his task

49 (Berlin 3022, 290-300)
rdi swA rnpwt Hr Haw.i TA.kwi aab Snw
iw rdi sbt n xAst Hbsw nmiw-Sa
sd.kwi m pAqt gs.kwi m tpt
sDr.kwi Hr Hnkyt di.n.i Sa n imyw.f
mrHt n xt n wrH im.s
iw rdi n.i pr n nb S m wn m-a smr
iw Hmwtyw aSAw Hr qd.f xt.f nb srwd m mAwt
iw inn n.i Sabw m aH sp xmt sp fd n hrw
Hrw-r dd msw nswt nn At nt irt Abw

Years were made to fall from my body, as I was shorn, my hair combed
The load was returned to the hill-land, the garments to the nomads,
I was arrayed in fine linen, and anointed with first quality oil
I lay down on a bed, and returned the sand to its dwellers
And the tree-oil to those who anoint themselves with it
I was given the house of a lord of an estate, as a gift from a courtier
Numerous craftsmen built it up, everything was strengthened anew
Foods were continually delivered to me from the palace, 3 or 4 times a day
Besides the gifts of the king's children without a moment of pausing

50 (Berlin 3022, 300-310)
iw xws n.i mr m inr m qAb mrw
imy-r THntyw mr Hr Ssp sAtw.f
imy-r xtmtyw Hr sS gnwtyw Hr xtt
imyw-r kAt ntyw Hr Hrt Hr Dat tA r.s
xaw nb ddw r rwd ir Xrt.f im
rdi n.i Hmw-kA ir.n.i S Hrt
AHwt im.f m xnt r dmi mi irt n smr tpy
iw twt.i sXkr m nbw Sndyt.f m Dam
in Hm.f rdi irt.f nn SwAw iry n.f mitt
iw.i Xr Hswt nt xr nswt
r iwt hrw n mni

A pyramid-chapel of stone was built for me amid the pyramids
The overseer of glazeworkers of the pyramid procured its ground,
The overseer of sealers did the drawing, the sculptors did the cutting,
The overseers of works who were at the pyramid temple ferried for it.
Every tool that is set to the temple-terrace, it found its task there.
I was given spirit-servants, and I made an estate for the cult,
Containing fields as endowment at the landing-stage as is done for the foremost official
My image was adorned with gold, its kilt in electrum,
It is His Majesty who had it done. No poor mortal ever received such treatment
I am in the favour of before the king
Until the coming of the day to moor

End note in Berlin 3022, line 311
iw.f pw HAt.f r pHwy.fy mi gmyt m sS

This is its completion from its start to its finish as found in writing

Copyright © 2000 University College London. All rights reserved
Copyright © 2001 J. J. Hirst. All rights reserved. (for updates and corrections)