#wrdl dxyh k[ ] wyxl s²ymi¹[ ]l
r#)k wynpl r#yhw ³pw+h tw#([ ]ci[ ]nil)
lwk bwh)lw My)ybnh wydb( lwk dybw h#wm~dyb hwc
(r lwkm qwxrl s)m r#) lwk t) )wn#lw wxb⁴ r#)
+p#mw hqdcw tm) tw#(lw bw+~y#(m lwkb qwbdlw
twnz~yny(w hm#) bl twryr#b~dw( tkll )wlw cr)b
l)~yqwx tw#(l Mybdnh lwk t) ybhlw (r lwk tw#(l
lwk Mymt wynpl klhthlw l) tc(b dxyhl dsx tyrbb
#y) rw) ynb lwk bwh)lw Mtwdw(t yd(wml twlgnh
wtm#)k #y) K#wx ynb lwk )wn#lw l) tc(b wlrwgk
Mxwkw Mt(d lwk w)yby wtm)l Mybdnh lwkw l) tmqnm
Nktl Mxwkw l) yqwx tm)b Mt(d rrbl l) dxyb Mnwhw
dx)~lwk~Mdw(cl⁵ )wlw wqdc tc(k Mnwh lwkw wykrd Mtk
dx)tihil )wlw Mhyt( Mdql )wlw Mhycqb l) yrbd lwkm
lw)m#w Nymy tkll wtm) yqwxm rwsl )wlw Mhyd(wm lwkm
tw#(l l) ynpl tyrbb wryb(y dxyh krsb My)bh lwkw
prcmw hmy)w dxp lwkm wrx)m bw#l )wlw hwc r#) lwkk
Mynhwkh wyhy tyrbb Mrbw(bw l(ylb tl#mmb mywsn
lwkw wtm) y#(m lwk t)w tw(w#y l) t) Mykrbm Myywlhw
Nm) Nm) Mhyrx) Myrmw) tyrbb Myrbw(h
Mytrwbg y#(mb l) twqdc t) Myrpsm Mynhwkhw
Myrpsm Myywlhw l)r#y l( Mymxr⁶ ydsx lwk M(ym#mw
tl#mmb Mt)+xw Mtm#) y(#p lwkw l)r#y ynb twnww( t)
wnyw(n rwm)l Mhyrx) Mydwm tyrbb Myrbw(hl[ ]l(ylb
wntk l[ ]b wnynplm wnytwbi[ ]wn) wn(#rh wn)[ ]
]tiwb)bw wnb w+p#m[ ]qiydcw tm)[ ]

² Charlesworth reads m. However, the letter in question has very clear "ears" on both top corners, a shape that is more consistent with this scribe's s than his m. Return

³Charlesworth and virtually all others transcribe as bw+h. This is probably what the scribe intended to write. However, the last letter clearly lacks the initial top stroke characteristic of beth, and has the distinctive inward curve of the letter pe in this document. It seemed proper to me to transcribe the document as it stands, and leave emendations to the next phase of study. The only possible meaning I have been able to find for pw+h is something akin to "inundation," which does not fit the context at all. The coordination with r#yh makes it likely that bw+h is indeed what was intended. Return

⁴Charlesworth reads rxb, which is possible. There appears to be a crease in the material through the third letter, but the letters above and below this one do not show the narrowing that would be expected when compared with a truncated resh. On the other hand, the letter appears to have a small hook at the top that is consistent with this scribe's resh. So Either reading is possible. Return

⁵Charlesworth reads lwkb dw(cl. While much of the letter in question resembles a b, the vertical stroke closing the left side of the letter is very clear in the photo. It may be a correction or a slip of the pen, so either reading is possible. Return

⁶ There is a very odd stroke here that looks like a large, inverted "V". I have followed Charlesworth's reading here, but Mymxrw wdsx or even Mymxrw dsx appears equally possible. Return