Description:

240 BC

THE PAPYRUS OF ANI

THE EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD

Translated by E.A. Wallis Budge

 

Part 72

  (From the Papyrus of Nu, Sheet 24)

  The steward of the overseer of the seal, Nu, whose word is truth,

begotten of the steward of the overseer of the seal, Amen-hetep, whose

word is truth, saith:- Hail, ye Four Apes who sit in the bows of the

Boat of Ra, who convey truth to Nebertcher, who sit in judgment on the

oppressed man and on [his] oppressor, who make the gods to be

contented by means of the flame of your mouths, who offer holy

offerings to the gods, and sepulchral meals to the Spirit-souls, who

live upon truth, and who feed upon truth of heart, who are without

deceit and fraud, and to whom wickedness is an abomination, do ye away

with my evil deeds, and put ye away my sins [which deserved stripes

upon earth, and destroy ye every evil thing which appertaineth to me],

and let there be no obstacle whatsoever on my part towards you. O

grant ye that I may make my way through the Amehet, let me enter

into Rasta, let me pass through the hidden pylons of Ament. O grant

that there may be given unto me shens cakes, and ale, and persen

cakes, even as to the living Spirit-souls, and grant that I may

enter into and come forth from Rasta.

  [The Four Apes make answer, saying]: Come thou, for we have done

away with thy wickedness, and we have put away thy sin, along with thy

sins upon earth which deserved stripes, and we have destroyed every

evil thing which appertained to thee upon earth. Enter, therefore,

unto Rasta, and pass through the hidden pylons of Amentet, and there

shall be given unto thee shens cakes, and ale, and persen cakes, and

thou shalt come forth and shalt enter in at thy desire, even as do

those who are favoured [of the God], and thou shalt be called [to

partake of offerings] each day in the horizon.