Egyptian mythology and literature rarely make mention of the weighing of the heart ceremony. A notable exception is Setne I, a tale written in Demotic, a highly cursive form of the Egyptian writing system.

Setne is a prominent figure in Egyptian literature of the Ptolemaic and Roman Period. He is a distant memory of Khaemwaset, the fourth son of Ramesses II who served as the high priest of Ptah in Memphis. Two tales about Setne survive. In the first tale ("Setne I"), Setne seeks out a magical book from a tomb. Although he succeeds in acquiring the book, he is cursed and is ultimately forced to return the book and appeases the spirits of the deceased family members. In the second tale ("Setne II"), Setne has a son named Si-Osire ("son of Osiris"). Si-Osire is incredibly skilled in magic, and he takes his father on a trip to the underworld. This is without doubt the best description of the Egyptian netherworld in Egyptian literature.

They entered the seventh hall, and Setne saw the mysterious form of Osiris,the great god, seated on his throne of fine gold, crowned with the atef-crown. Anubis, the great god, was on his left, the great god Thoth was on his right, and the gods of the tribunal of the inhabitants of the netherworld stood on his left and right. The balance stood in the center before them, and they weighed the good deeds against the misdeeds, Thoth, the great god, writing, while Anubis gave the information to his colleague.

He who would be found to have more misdeeds than good deeds is handed over to the Devourer, who belongs to the lord of the netherworld. His ba is destroyed together with his body, and he is not allowed to breathe ever again.

He who would be found to have more good deeds than misdeeds is taken in among the gods of the tribunal of the lord of the netherworld, while his ba goes to the sky together with the august spirits.

He who would be found to have good deeds equal to his misdeeds is taken in among the excellent spirits who serve Sokar-Osiris.