Column 3

3.1 Indeed, the desert is throughout the land; the 〈nomes〉 are hacked apart; the foreign bow-people have come to Egypt. Indeed, […] reach […]

3.2 There are no people anywhere. Indeed, gold, lapis lazuli, silver, turquoise, garnet, amethyst, gneiss (?), our [precious stones (?)]

3.3 are hung on the necks of the maidservants. Riches are throughout the land, yet the mistresses of the houses say: "Would that we had something we might eat!" Indeed, […] abhor […] the noble ladies,

3.4 […] noble ladies: their limbs are saddened because of old rags; their hearts are afflicted at the greeting […]. Indeed,

3.5 chests of ebony are smashed; the splendid sesnedjem-wood is broken off the beds — their

3.6 their […] Indeed, the masons have become field laborers; those who were on the god's barque are harnessed […] and no one sails north today to

3.7 Byblos. What shall we do about pines for our mummies, with whose products the priests are buried, and with whose oil the great

3.8 are anointed. From as far as Keftiu they do not come! Gold has perished; ceased is the storing of stone for every work;

3.9 Uncovered is the 〈…〉 of the King's Estate, life, prosperity, health. How great is the coming of the oasis-dwellers with their festal offerings: mats and [sleeping mats] of fresh galingale;

3.10 The fowl's 〈…〉 are plucked. Indeed, Elephantine and Thinis, the Upper Egyptian [nomes], do not pay tax because of [st]rife.

3.11 Strife: I am destroyed — the chufa, the charcoal, the blue plant-dye, the maau-wood, the newet-wood, the brushwood, the works of the craftsmen, the ca[rob] […]

3.12 What is the treasury for, without its revenues? For good indeed is the heart of the king when Maat comes to him;

3.13 every foreign land [says]: "He is our water, he is our good fortune!" What shall we do about it, now that it has come to ruin? Indeed, laughter has perished

3.14 and is not done. It is mourning that is throughout the land, mingled with wailing. Indeed, every 〈have-not〉 is a man of substance; those who were

3.1 Indeed, the desert is all over the land; districts have been broken up. The foreign bowmen have come to Egypt. Indeed, […] have reached […].

3.2 There are no people anywhere. Indeed, gold, lapis lazuli, silver, turquoise, garnet, amethyst, and gneiss, our precious stones,

3.3 hang around the necks of servant women. Valuables are everywhere, but the women who own houses say, “If only we had something to eat!” Indeed, […] despise […].

3.4 […] noblewomen; their bodies suffer in old clothes, their hearts are troubled as they ask after […]. Indeed,

3.5 chests made of ebony are smashed. Fine wood is broken off the beds […]

3.6 […]. Indeed, builders have become farmworkers. Those who used to be in the god's boat are yoked […]. No one travels north to

3.7 Byblos today. What will we do for pinewood for our mummies? Priests are buried with its products, and the great are embalmed

3.8 with its oils. Even from Keftiu they no longer come. Gold has run out; the stacking of stone for every work has stopped.

3.9 […] belonging to the royal estate has been stripped bare. How remarkable that oasis people arrive carrying their festival offerings: mats, sleeping mats of fresh grass,

3.10 […] of birds, and gathered reeds. Indeed, Elephantine, Thinis, and the districts of Upper Egypt do not pay taxes because of

3.11 unrest. Tiger nuts, charcoal, blue plant dye, various kinds of timber, the work of craftspeople, and colocynth

3.12 and gum, the palace's due payments, are destroyed. What good is the treasury without its revenue? The king's heart is glad when Maat, justice, comes to him, and

3.13 all foreign lands say, “He is our water; he is our prosperity.” What can we do about it, now that it is heading for ruin? Indeed, laughter has died

3.14 and no longer happens. Mourning is everywhere in the land, mixed with cries of grief. Indeed, every person with nothing has become wealthy; those who used to be