The 42 Laws of Ma’at: the 42 declarations of the Book of the Dead
The 42 Laws of Ma’at are the declarations the Book of the Dead gives the dead to speak in the Hall of the Two Truths, one to each of 42 judges, beginning “I have not done iniquity.” Egyptologists call the passage the negative confession; it belongs to Chapter 125, also called Spell 125. Here are all 42 in E. A. Wallis Budge’s translation, each with the judge it is spoken to.
1. Integrity: “I have not done iniquity.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose strides are long”, of Annu (Heliopolis).
2. Gaining without force: “I have not robbed with violence.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who art embraced by flame”, of Kher-āba.
3. Gentleness: “I have not done violence [to any man].” Spoken to the judge called “Thou divine Nose (Fenti)”, of Khemennu (Hermopolis).
4. Honest hands: “I have not committed theft.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who eatest shades”, of the place where the Nile riseth.
5. Reverence for life: “I have not slain man or woman.” Spoken to the judge called “Neha-hāu”, of Re-stau.
6. Fair measure: “I have not made light the bushel.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou double Lion-god”, of heaven.
7. Plain dealing: “I have not acted deceitfully.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose two eyes are like flint”, of Sekhem (Letopolis).
8. Respect for the sacred: “I have not purloined the things which belong unto God.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou Flame”, of null.
9. Truthful speech: “I have not uttered falsehood.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou Crusher of bones”, of Suten-henen (Heracleopolis).
10. Leaving others enough: “I have not carried away food.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who makest the flame to wax strong”, of Het-ka-Ptah (Memphis).
11. Words without harm: “I have not uttered evil words.” Spoken to the judge called “Qerti”, of Amentet.
12. Restraint: “I have attacked no man.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose teeth shine”, of Ta-she.
13. Care for animals: “I have not killed the beasts [which are the property of God].” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who dost consume blood”, of the house of slaughter.
14. Seeing oneself truly: “I have not acted deceitfully.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who dost consume the entrails”, of the mābet chamber.
15. Sparing what others tend: “I have not laid waste the lands which have been ploughed(?).” Spoken to the judge called “Thou god of Right and Truth”, of the city of double Maāti.
16. Respect for privacy: “I have never pried into matters [to make mischief].” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who goest backward”, of the city of Bast (Bubastis).
17. Guarding the tongue: “I have not set my mouth in motion [against any man].” Spoken to the judge called “Aati”, of Annu (Heliopolis).
18. Measured anger: “I have not given way to wrath concerning myself without a cause.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who art doubly evil”, of the nome of Ati.
19. Faithfulness: “I have not defiled the wife of a man.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou serpent Uamemti”, of the house of slaughter.
20. Purity of heart: “I have not committed any sin against purity.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who lookest upon what is brought to him”, of the Temple of Amsu.
21. Power without menace: “I have not struck fear [into any man].” Spoken to the judge called “Chief of the divine Princes”, of the city of Nehatu.
22. Honouring sacred time: “I have not encroached upon [sacred times and seasons].” Spoken to the judge called “Khemiu”, of the Lake of Kaui.
23. An even temper: “I have not been a man of anger.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who orderest speech”, of Urit.
24. Willingness to listen: “I have not made myself deaf to the words of right and truth.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou Child”, of the Lake of Heq-āt.
25. Making peace: “I have not stirred up strife.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou disposer of speech”, of the city of Unes.
26. Kindness: “I have made [no man] to weep.” Spoken to the judge called “Basti”, of the Secret city.
27. Honest, faithful love: “I have not committed acts of impurity, neither have I lain with men.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose face is [turned] backward”, of the Dwelling.
28. A heart left whole: “I have not eaten my heart.” Spoken to the judge called “Leg of fire”, of Akhekhu.
29. Dignity for all: “I have abused [no man].” Spoken to the judge called “Kenemti”, of [the city of] Kenemet.
30. Peaceful means: “I have not acted with violence.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who bringest thine offering”, of the city of Sau (Saïs).
31. Fair judgement: “I have not judged hastily.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou god of faces”, of the city of Tchefet.
32. Letting go of revenge: “I have not ... and I have not taken vengeance upon the god.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who givest knowledge”, of Unth.
33. Fewer, truer words: “I have not multiplied [my] speech overmuch.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou lord of two horns”, of Satiu.
34. Goodness without guile: “I have not acted with deceit, and I have not worked wickedness.” Spoken to the judge called “Nefer-Tem”, of Het-ka-Ptah (Memphis).
35. Respectful dissent: “I have not uttered curses [on the king].” Spoken to the judge called “Tem-Sep”, of Tattu.
36. Clean water for all: “I have not fouled(?) water.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose heart doth labor”, of the city of Tebti.
37. Humble speech: “I have not made haughty my voice.” Spoken to the judge called “Ahi of the water”, of Nu.
38. Holding the holy dear: “I have not cursed the god.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who givest commands to mankind”, of [Sau(?)].
39. Humility: “I have not behaved with insolence.” Spoken to the judge called “Neheb-nefert”, of the Lake of Nefer(?).
40. Quiet worth: “I have not sought for distinctions.” Spoken to the judge called “Neheb-kau”, of [thy] city.
41. Rightful wealth: “I have not increased my wealth, except with such things as are [justly] mine own possessions.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou whose head is holy”, of [thy] habitations.
42. Sacred in the everyday: “I have not thought scorn of the god who is in my city.” Spoken to the judge called “Thou who bringest thine own arm”, of Aukert (underworld).
In the app: Today › 42 Days of Ma’at. In the app, the 42 Days of Ma’at gives one declaration a day, each with what it can mean in a life today, a question to reflect on and an intention.