In the Egyptian Mysteries, each candidate was required to read the following confession before Maat, Goddess of Truth. It is one of the first of its kind to be found and it is here for you to ponder. The original papyrus, from which it has been translated, is still in the British Museum.

Homage to thee, O thou great God, thou lord of the two Maat goddesses! I have come to thee, O my Lord, and I have made myself to come hither that I may behold thy beauties. I know thee, and I know thy name, and I know the names of the two and forty gods who live with thee in this Hall of Matti . . .Verily I have come to thee, and have brought Maat unto thee, and I have destroyed wickedness.
I have not done evil to mankind.
I have not committed theft, murder, nor robbed with violence.
I have not made light the bushel.
I have not uttered falsehood or vile words.
I have not carried off food by force.
I have not lost my temper and become angry.
I have invaded no man’s land.
I have not pried into matters to make mischief.
I have not made my speech to burn with anger.
I have not made myself deaf unto the words of right and truth.
I have not made another person weep.
I have not multiplied my speech beyond what should be said.
I have not polluted running water nor laid waste the lands which have been ploughed.
I have not uttered curses against the king.
I have not exalted my speech.
I have not increased my wealth save through my own possessions.
I have not uttered curses against that which belongeth to God and is with me.
I am pure, I am pure, I am pure.
My purity is the purity of the Divinity of the Holy Temple. Therefore let not evil befall me either in this land or in this Hall of Maat, because I know the names of the gods who are therein.

What does this mean to you?

Back to home page--------