The Sixth Tablet
1. When Marduk heard the word of the gods,
2. His heart prompted him and he devised [a cunning plan].
3. He opened his mouth and unto Ea [he spake],
4. [That which] he had conceived in his heart he imparted [unto him]:
5. "My blood will I take and bone will I [fashion],
6. "I will make man, that man may ... [...].
7. "I will create man who shall inhabit [the earth],"
p. 88 p. 89
8. "That the service of the gods may be established, and that [their] shrines 1 [may be built].
9. "But I will alter the ways of the gods, and I will change [their paths];
10. "Together shall they be oppressed 2, and unto evil shall [they ...]."
11. And Ea answered him and spake the word:
12. "[...] the [...] of the gods I have [changed]
13. [...] ... and one ... [...]
14. [...shall be de]stroyed and men will I [...]
15. [...] and the gods [...]
16. [...] ... and they [...]
17. [...] ... and the gods [...]
18. [...] .... [...]
19. [...] the gods [...]
20. [...] the Anunnaki [...]
21. [...] ... [...]
p. 90 p. 91
[The rest of the text is wanting 1 with the exception of the last few lines of the tablet, which read as follows.]
138. [...] ... [...]
139. [...] ... [...]
140. When [...] ... [...]
141. They rejoiced [...] ... [...]
142. In Upshukkinnaku they set [their dwelling].
143. Of the heroic son, their avenger, [they cried]:
144. "We, whom he succoured, ... [...]!"
145. They seated themselves and in the a**embly they named [him ...],
146. They all [cried aloud (?), they exalted [him ...]. 2