Negative Confession

 

Weighing of the Heart with Thoth, Anubis, Amemet and dead Pharaoh

 

I have not committed crimes against people.

I have not mistreated cattle

I have not sinned in the place of truth [temple or necropolis],

I have not known that which should not be known,

I have not done any harm,

I have not exacted more than was my due,

I have not committed blasphemy against the gods,

I have not robbed the poor,

I have not done what the gods hate,

I have not spoken ill of a servant to their master,

I have not caused pain,

I have not caused tears,

I have not killed or ordered anyone to kill,

I have not caused suffering,

I have not damaged the temple offerings,

I have not stolen bread from the gods,

I have not stolen bread from the dead,

I have not committed adultery not defiled myself,

I have not falsified the measures,

I have not taken milk from children's mouths,

I have not kept cattle from their pastures,

I have not extinguished a necessary fire,

I have not neglected the time of meat offerings,

I have not held back the cattle of the gods,

I have not stopped a god in procession.

 

I am pure! I am pure! I am pure! I am pure!

I am pure as the great heron of Hnes [Herakleopolis Magna]!

No harm shall befall me

in this Hall of Two Truths,

for I know the names of all the gods within it,

all the followers of the great god [Osiris];

O Wide-Strider of Heliopolis, I have not done evil;

O Flame-Embracer of Kheraha, I have not committed robbery;

O Beaky of Khmum, I am not guilty of greed;

O Shadow-Eater from the Cave, I am not guilty of stealing;

O Terrifying Face of Rostau, I am not guilty of murder; ...

O Wrecker from Huy, I am not guilty of trespass;

O Bastet of the Shrine, I am not guilty of winking;

O Backward Face of the Pit, I am not guilty of homosexuality. ...

 

Hail to you gods!

I know you and know your names,

I shall not fall down in ear of you,

You shall not accuse me of a crime!

 

 

Bibliography

1) The Egyptian Book of Living and Dying by Joann Fletcher pages 127-129 for the "Negative Confession".
2) Ancient Civilisations for the "weighing of the heart" graphic.