Here are the oldest written laws in the world, made new for modern readers. Composed four thousand years ago in Sumerian Mesopotamia, the codes of King Ur-Nammu of Ur and King Lipit-Ishtar of Isin set out fair payment for injuries, the rights of wives and children, the care of widows and orphans, and the honest management of fields and waterways. Their prologues speak of a king's duty to protect the weak and to make justice visible in everyday life. Each code is introduced with its historical setting and its enduring call for compassion. This edition offers a faithful, clear, and inviting rendering of the reconstructed text, with an introduction, glossary, and reading guide to help today's readers understand the world of the tablets. No scholarly jargon, no archaic flourishes—just the ancient voice of justice, speaking plainly. Part of The World Scriptures Library.