The Deceased acquireth might with Rā, and is enabled to possess power among the gods, for the gods are made to regard him as one of themselves, and when the Dead ones see him they fall upon their faces. He is seen in the Netherworld even as the beams of Rā.
Said over a Boat of four cubits in length, painted green. And let a starry sky be made, clean and purified with natron and incense. And see thou make an image of Rā upon a tablet of light green colour at the prow of the Boat. And see thou make an image of the Deceased whom thou lovest, that he may be made strong in this boat, and that his voyage be made in the Bark of Rā, and that Rā himself may look upon him. Do not do this for any one except for thine own self, thy father and thy son. And let them be exceedingly cautious for themselves. The Deceased acquireth might with Rā, and made to possess power among the gods, who regard him as one of themselves, and when men or the Dead see him they fall upon their faces. He is seen in the Netherworld as the image of Rā.([8])
Notes.
The earliest known text of this chapter is that of the Tomb of Amenemhait at Thebes (Ta), of the time of Thothmes III. It is almost as inaccurate as that of Nebseni (Aa), or the Brockelhurst Ax. Nor is the text of Ani of any use towards clearing up any of the difficulties.
[1.] Acquireth Might.
does not signify wise, nor has it anything to do with instruction or perfection, as supposed by other translators. As an adjective it is used to qualify not only animate but inanimate things, such as an egg, beer, and incense. The well-known expressions
