The prince, count, royal seal-bearer, prophet of Amun in Ipet-sut, royal secretary, Nebneteru, son of the mayor, vizier, mouth of Nekhen, Neseramu, born of Muthetepti, says:

I was one unique and excellent,
Great in his town,
Much esteemed in the temple.
Amun appointed me door-opener of heaven,
So that I saw his form in lightland.
He introduced me to the palace in private,
So that I saw Horus in his image.
I sought what was useful for my town in my time,
My concern was for the house of god.
He gave me rewards in blessings,
He requited (me) as he wished.

He provided me with a son to take office,
On my entering the land of my permanence.
I saw his worth as he circled the shrine,
As one honored by the King in the palace,
The prophet of Amun, fan-bearer at the King's right,
Royal secretary of the Lord of the Two Lands, Hor.
I saw my sons as great priests,
Son after son was issued from me.
I attained the age of ninety-six,
Being healthy, without illness.
If one desires the length of my life,
One must praise god for another in my name.

O priests, divine fathers of Amun!
You shall be on earth without want
Thought the favor of Amun,
If you give water to my statue,
For whose worship (my) ba rises early!
For the ka of the priest and royal secretary, Tery,
Every day unendingly.

This introductory first person biographical inscription is found on a handsome block statue of grey granite which is now housed in the Cairo Museum. Nebneteru belonged to a leading Theban family whose members held important positions in the Theban priesthood and at court, and were related to the ruling dynasty through marriages with princesses of the royal house. Nebneteru's principal office was that of 'royal secretary' which was an office with extensive administrative duties.