P.QI.4.89

Translation quoted from G. Ruffini, The Bishop, The Eparch and The King: Old Nubian Texts from Qasr Ibrim IV (P.QI 4) [= JJP Supplements], Warsaw 2014 with permission from the editors of the JJP.

Apapa the deacon of the meizoteros of the town of Faras and deacon, to Ioannes the Great Bishop.

I greet you: God is good. Rejoice when you come out to your children. May the Lord speak to me. For he causes me to be protected. And when do I place (?) the grain? You were concerned with me alone. Except for what he ate of Anyijinngal’s, he did it, giving them, depositing the barley pile today, watching over his artabas, taking 6 artabas, (inserted above: 10 artabas). I took them, combining Aua’s and it to mine. And you will give whom the evil-eye? Truly, give the eirouka (?) and the key to the whole thing, gulping and keeping. And, entering and assembling in the enclosure (?), send your things to the listener. And may you not ever be reluctant to bring yourself near, taking the land. And giving everything to your children, even you (sing.), may (all of) you not forget to give a share to yourself (?). And you (pl.), taking it in full (?) and dividing it, take the share. And I do not enter the great land. Gulp them down, keeping them.