Ancient texts / The Revolt in Heaven
The Revolt in Heaven K. tablet, lines 5–22
5The Divine Being spoke three times, the commencement of a psalm.
6The god of holy songs, Lord of religion and worship
7seated a thousand singers and musicians: and established a choral band
8who to his hymn were to respond in multitudes ...
9With a loud cry of contempt they broke up his holy song
10spoiling, confusing, confounding, his hymn of praise.
11The god of the bright crown with a wish to summon his adherents✦ Isaiah 14:12
12sounded a trumpet blast which would wake the dead,
13which to those rebel angels prohibited return,
14he stopped their service, and sent them to the gods who were his enemies.
15In their room he created mankind.
16The first who received life dwelt along with him.
17May he give them strength, never to neglect his word,✦ Genesis 3:1
18following the serpent's voice, whom his hands had made.
19And may the god of divine speech expel from his five thousand that wicked thousand
20who in the midst of his heavenly son, had shouted evil blasphemies!
21The god Ashur, who had seen the malice of those gods who deserted their allegiance
22to raise a rebellion, refused to go forth with them.
Editorial restorations by the translator are in [square brackets]; “…” and italic notes mark where the tablet is broken. Bracketed scene-headings are the translator's, not part of the text.