30 B. M.—_Abimelec_ begins with his ordinary salutation. “Thus far I defend the King’s city which he confides to my hands very much. My intention (has been) to walk in sight of the face of the King my Lord, and not to take by force from the hands of _Zimridi_ of the city of _Sidon_. Lo! I hear me that he will strive, and has made war with me. Let the King my Lord send down to me ... chiefs for guards of the city of the King my Lord; and let me strive (or plead) for the dwellings of the King my Lord, with those who deceive his gracious countenance. I set my face to (encourage?) the region of those who are peaceful with the King my Lord; and let the King my Lord ask his _Paka_ (chief). Lo! I set my face (or, confirm my intention) forever, O King my Lord. Now a messenger I am despatching to ... of the King my Lord, and ... the King my Lord the messenger ... ... his letter ... and may it be the means of ... the King my Lord ... (that) he sets his face ... forever to ... the face of the King my Lord. His servant will not let slip ... from (his) hands ... Let the King my Lord give his countenance ... and (he) shall ... waters for the drawing ... and woods for his servant.... Know O King my Lord behold they are plucking the fruit that we left. There are no waters and no woods for us. Now _Elisaru_ the messenger to the presence of the King my Lord has hasted, and I have made bold to present five precious things of copper, this agate, one throne of gold. The King my Lord sends to me (saying) ‘Send to me all you hear from the land of Canaan’ (_Cina’ana_). The King of _Danuna_(293) has been destroyed, and his brother is ruling after him, and his land has broken out, and they have seized the King of the town of _Hugarit_,(294) and mighty is the slaughter that follows him. He is strong, and none are saved from him, nor any from the chiefs of the army of the land of the _Hittites_. The proud _Edagama_(295) of the city _Ciidzi_ (Kadesh on Orontes, the capital of the Southern Hittites, now _Kades_) and _Aziru_ have fought—they have fought with _Neboyapiza_; they have come to the regions of _Zimridi_. Lo! he gathers ships of soldiers against me from the fortresses of _Aziru_. And lo! they have grievously opposed my Lord’s subjects, and all will break out. Let the King give countenance to his servant, and let him leap forth to go out a conqueror” (or “to the region”).