CHAPTER CLXXIX.
Chapter of coming forth when going out of yesterday ([1]) and coming in the (present) day, being equipped by one’s own hands.
I am raised from yesterday, I come to-day, I come out of my own creations.
I am the sap coming out of its tree, I am the flow coming out of its form; for I stand before the lord of the white crown, I am gracious; my words are well established before the lord of the red crown, he who avenges([2]) his eye.
I died yesterday, but I come to-day;([3]) I made my way towards the doorkeeper of the great god; I come forth by day against my enemy; I triumph over him for ever. He is given me, and he will not be rescued from my hand; he will dwindle away in my possession, before the great circle of gods in the Netherworld.
I have been given the diadem of the great goddess which is on the head of the shadow, and on the figure of the living gods. I have made my way ... my enemy is brought to me; he is given me and he will not be rescued from my hand; he will dwindle away in my possession, before the circle of gods of Osiris in his festival, when the inhabitants of the Amenta ...([4]) in his name of....
I am the lord of the red ones in the day of the births, I am the master of the sword, it will not be taken away from me.
I am in my bower, I have the sweet juice from my palm trees; they bring me what is agreeable to my heart.
I come forth in the day against this my enemy; when he is brought to me I triumph over him, he will not be rescued from my hand, he will dwindle away in my possession in the presence of the great circle of gods in Ta-tsert, and the queen of the souls, the most mighty.
I rest in the garden of Hotepit, according to the commands of the lords of Cherāba, my figure is high in the presence of the most mighty; I am strong, I rest in the isles of the garden of Aarru.
Notes.
This Chapter is found in two papyri only: London 9900 Aa, and the papyrus of Nu. This last text differs considerably from the first at the end of the chapter. The translation is made from Aa, with occasional references to Nu.
[1.] The explanation of this curious expression
is given by the words of Nu
“I died yesterday, but I come to-day.”
yesterday is the past, is death; whereas
this day, the present day, is life. Leaving what has been, and coming to what is, is only a figure meaning resurrection after death.
[2.] I have kept Renouf’s translation, although I consider it is erroneous. The word
,
means reconstitute, restore, and not avenge. The common expression, Horus the avenger of his father, should be translated: “Horus who reconstitutes the body of his father” torn to pieces by Sut.
[3.] These words are taken from the text of Nu.
[4.] In both papyri there are words omitted here.