TEXT OF THE EPIC. COMPARISON OF THE EPIC WITH THE FIRST CHAPTER OF GENESIS. THE EPIC AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BIBLE. =I. Text of the Epic.= Tablet I 1. Time was when above heaven was not named 2. Below to the earth no name was given. 3. Then the primeval Abyss their begetter, 4. The roaring Sea who bore them,-- 5. Their waters together were mingled; 6. No field had been formed, no marshland seen. 7. Time was when gods had not been made, 8. No name was named, no destiny [determined]; 9. Then were created the gods in the midst [of heaven]. 10. Lakhmu and Lakhamu were formed [together]. 11. Ages multiplied, ....................... 12. Anshar and Kishar were created, and over them ...... 13. Days were prolonged, there came forth ...... 14. Anu, their son ................................... 15. Anshar and Anu ................................... 16. And the god Anu .................................. 17. Nudimmud whose fathers, his begetters .................... 18. Abounding in wisdom, understanding ............... 19. He was strong exceedingly ................................ 20. And he had no rival ...................................... 21. They were established and ................................ 22. In confusion were T[iâmat and Apsu][358] ................... 23. They were troubled ................................. 24. In sin (?) ......................................... 25. Apsu was not diminished ............................ 26. Tiâmat roared ...................................... 27. She smote and their deeds .......................... 28. Their way was not good; they themselves prospered. 29. Then Apsu, the begetter of the great gods, 30. Cried to Mummu, his minister, and said, 31. O Mummu, my minister, who delightest my heart, 32. Come, unto Tiâmat [let us go]. 33. They went, before Tiâmat they lay down, 34. A plan they formed against the gods [their offspring]. 35. [Apsu] opened his mouth, [he said to her], 36. Unto Tiâmat, the brilliant, a word he spoke: 37. “[Intolerable to me] is their advancement, 38. By day I have no rest, at night, no peace. 39. But I will destroy their way, an end will I make. 40. Let there be a cry, then we may be at peace!” 41. When Tiâmat heard these words, 42. She was angry and spoke against them [a curse]; 43. [She was] grievously [pained] she raged .................... 44. A curse she let fall, unto [Apsu she spoke]: 45. “What are we that we [should perish]! 46. Let their way become difficult.” ........................... 47. Mummu answered, Apsu [he counseled] 48. .... not favorable was the counsel of the Roarer: