TOBITH
TO
INDEX
The book of the words of Tobit son of Tobiel, son of Ananeil, son of Aduel, son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael of the tribe of Nephali. Who, in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians, was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is properly called Napthali in Galilee above Asher
1.
I
Tobit have
walked all the days of my life in the way of truth and justice, and I gave much
alms to my brothers and my nation who came with me to Nineveh, into the land of
the Assyrians.
2. When I
was in my own country, in the land of Israel, being yet young, all of the tribe
of Napthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem which was chosen out of
all the tribes that they all should sacrifice where the temple of the Most High
was consecrated and built for all ages.
3. When all
the tribes then revolted, inclusive the house of my father Napthali, sacrificing
to the heifer baal, I alone went often to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts.
4. And I
gave the first fruits and the tenths of the increase at the altar to the priests
the children of Aaron.
5.
The first
tenth part I gave to the sons of Aaron who ministered at Jerusalem, and another
tenth part I sold and spend it every year at Jerusalem.
6.
And a
third I gave to them to whom it was meet as Debora, my father's mother had
commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.
7.
Furthermore
when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of my own kindred, and of
her I begot Tobias.
8. And when
we were carried away captive to Nineveh, all my brothers, and those that were of
my kindred ate the bread of the Gentiles.
9.
But I
kept myself from that because I remembered God with all my heart, and the Most
High gave me grace and favor before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.
10.
And being
once in Media I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael, brother of
Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media.
11. When
Enemessar now was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead, whose estate
was so troubled that I could not go into Media.
12.
But while
yet in the time of Enemessar I gave much alms to my brothers, my bread to the
hungry, and my clothes to the naked.
13.
And if I
saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineveh, I buried him.
14.
And those
slain by king Sannecherib, when he had come fleeing from Judea, I buried
secretly, for in his wrath he killed many, the bodies thus were not to be found
when they were sought for by the king.
15. And when
one of the Ninevites complained about me to the king that I buried them, and
knowing I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew for fear.
16. Then all
my goods were forcibly taken away, leaving me nothing besides my wife Anna and
my son Tobias.
17. But in 55
days two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararath,
and Sarchedonus his son, reigned in his stead.
18. He then
appointed Achiacharus, son of my brother Anael, over his father's accounts, and
over all his affairs, and Achiacharus entreated me, and I returned to Nineveh.
19. Achiacharus now was cup-bearer and keeper of the signet and steward and overseer of the accounts, and Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself.
Chapter 2
Tobit
buries the dead.
1. When
I now had come home again and my wife Anna was restored to me with my son Tobias
in the feast of Pentecost, which is the feast of the seven weeks, there was a
good dinner prepared for me at which I sat down to eat.
2.
And
seeing the abundance of the meat, I said to my son, go and bring whatsoever poor
persons you shall find out of my brothers who are mindful of the Lord, and I
will wait for you.
3. And as he
came again he said; "Father, one of our nation is strangled and cast out in
the marketplace." And before I
had tasted of the meat I got up and hid him in my house until the sun would go
down.
4.
Then I
washed myself and ate my meat in heaviness remembering the prophecy of Amos as
he said; "your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and your joy into
lamentation."
5. Therefore
I wept, and after the sun had gone down I went and made a grave and buried him,
but my neighbors mocked me saying; "Will this man still not be afraid to be
put to death, for he fled away, and look now he is burying the dead again."
6.
That
night then as I returned from the burial and slept by the wall of my courtyard
being dirty, and my face uncovered, I was not aware that there were sparrows on
the wall.
7. And my
eyes being open the sparrows muted warm dung into my eyes, and a whitewash came
on my eyes, I then went to the physician, but they could not help me, and
Achiacharus nourished me until I went to Elymain.
8. And my
wife Anna took to perform women's work, and when she had been sent home to the
owners, they paid her wages and also gave her a kid.
9.
And the
kid having come into my house and lauded, I said to her; "From where is
this kid? If it be stolen render it
back to its owners for it is not lawful to eat anything that is stolen."
10.
But she
replied; "It was given me a gift over my wages."
I however would not believe her, but begged her to return it to its
owners, I being abased at her.
11. And she
replied to me; "What good is your trust, your alms and your righteous deeds
account for nothing." Thus she
reproved me.
Prayer
of Tobit.
1.
Then
I being grieved, wept and prayed saying in my sorrow; O Lord Thou art just, and
all Thy works and ways are mercy and truth, and Thou judges truthfully and
justly
2.
Remember
me and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorance and the sins of my
fathers who sinned before Thee.
3. For they
did not obey Thy commandments for which reason Thou delivered us for a spoil and
into captivity and to death and a proverb of reproach to all the nations among
whom we are dispersed.
4. And now
Thy judgments are many and true, deal with me according to my sins and my
father's, for we have not kept Thy commandments, nor walked in truth before Thee
5.
Therefore
now deal with me as it seems good to Thee, and command my spirit to be taken
from me that I may be dissolved and become earth.
6.
For I
will rather die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches and have
much sorrow.
7.
Command
therefore now that I may be delivered out of this distress and go into the
everlasting place, turn not Thy face from me.
Sara's reproach.
8.
It now
came to pass in the same day that in Ecabane, a city of Media, Sara, daughter
of Raguel, was also reproached by her father's maids, for she had been married
to seven husbands whom were killed by Asmodeus the evil spirit before they had
even lain with her.
9.
One such
reproach was; "May God never give us to see a son or daughter of you
murderer of men. You have strangled
your husbands, and will you now kill me as these seven?"
10. Sara
hearing these words then was very sorrowful and thought to strangle herself, but
she said; I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this I shall be a
reproach to him, and bring his old age to the grave with sorrow.
11.
She then
prayed looking through the window saying; "Blessed art Thou O Lord my God,
and Thy holy and glorious name be honorable forever.
12. Let all
Thy works praise Thee forever, and now O Lord I set my face and my eyes towards
Thee and say; Take me out of this earth that I may no more hear the reproach.
13. Thou Lord
knows that I am pure from all sin with men, and that I have never polluted my
name nor the name of my father in the land of my captivity.
14. I am the
only daughter of my father, neither has he any child to be his nor any kinsman,
nor any such alive to whom I may keep myself for a wife.
15.
My seven
husbands are already dead, and why should I live?
But if it please not Thee that I should die, command some regard to be
had of me, and pity taken of me that I may hear no more reproach."
16.
And the
prayers of both of them were heard before the majesty of the Great God, and
Raphael was sent to heal them, both to scale away the whitewash of Tobit's eyes.
17.
And to
give Sara the daughter of Raguel for wife to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to
bind Asmodeus the evil spirit because she belonged to Tobias by right of
inheritance.
18.
And at
the same time Tobit came home entering his house, and Sara came down from her
upper chamber.
Chapter 4
Tobit
admonishes Tobias.
1.
In
that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of
Media, and he said within himself; I have prayed for death, wherefore I shall
call Tobias that I may signify the money to him before I die.
2.
And
having called him he said; "My son, when I am dead bury me and despise not
your mother but honor her all the days of your life and do that which pleases
her and grieve her not.
3.
Remember
my son that she endured many dangers for you when you were in her womb, and when
she is dead bury her in one grave with me.
4. By
mindful always my son of the Lord our God all your days and let it not be your
will to sin or transgress His commandments, be upright all your life long, and
follow not in ways of unrighteousness.
5. For if
you deal uprightly your labors shall prosper and return to you as it is to all
that live justly.
6.
Give alms
of your substance, and when you give let not your eye be envious, nor turn your
face from any poor, and the face of God will not be turned from you.
7.
If you
have abundance give alms accordingly, and if you have but little, be not afraid
to give according to that little, for thus you will lay up a good treasure for
yourself against the day of necessity.
8.
For alms
deliver from death not suffering one to come into darkness, alms is a good gift
to all that give it in the sight of the Most High.
9.
Beware my
son of all whoredom, and take a wife of the seed of your fathers, and not a
strange woman which is not of your father's tribe.
10.
For we
are children of the prophets, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so remember my
son that our fathers from the beginning all married wives of their own kindred,
and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.
11. Therefore
my son love your brothers and do not in your heart despise the sons and
daughters of your people in not taking a wife from them.
12.
For in
pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want,
for lewdness is the mother of famine.
13.
Let not
the wages of any man, which has worked for you tarry with you, but pay him when
due, for if you serve God He will also repay you.
14.
Be
circumspect in all things that you do, and be wise in all your conversation, and
that which you hate do to no man.
15. Drink not
wine to drunkenness, nor let it be with you in your journey, give of your bread
to the hungry, and your garments to the naked.
16. Give alms
according to your abundance, and let not your eye be envious when you give, give
yourself to the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicket.
17. Ask
counsel of the wise, and despise not such counsel which is profitable, bless the
Lord your God always, and desire of Him that He may direct your ways that all
your paths and counsels may prosper.
18. For not
every man has counsel, but of the Lord come all good things, and He humbles whom
He wills.
19. Remember
therefore now my commandments my son, nor allow them to go from your mind.
20. And now I
signify to you that I committed ten talents of silver to Gabael the son of
Gabrias at Rages in Media.
21. And let
it not trouble you my son that we are made poor, for you have great wealth if
you fear God and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in His
sight."
Tobias
finds the angel for companion.
1.
Tobias
then answered, "Father I will do all things that you have commanded me, but
how can I receive the money not knowing him?"
2. Then
I
gave him the handwriting and said to him; "Seek a man who may go with you
while I yet live, and I will pay him wages, and so go and receive the
money".
3. Therefore
when he went to seek a man he found Raphael who was an angel, but he knew it
not.
4. And he
said to him; "Can you go with me to Rages and do you know the place
well?" And the angel replied;
"I will go with you, and I know the place well for I have lodged with our
brother Gabael".
5.
Then
Tobias said to him, "Tarry for me till I tell my father."
And he said to him, "Go and tarry not".
6.
So he
went and said to his father, "Behold I have found one who will go with
me". And his father said,
"Call him to me that I may know of what tribe he is, and if he is a trusty
man to go with you".
7. So he
called him, and having come they saluted one another, then Tobit said to him,
"Brother, show me of what tribe and family you are".
To which he replied, "Do you seek for a tribe or family, or a hired
man to go with your son?"
8. Then
Tobit said; "I wish to know your kindred and name brother."
He then said; "I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of
your brothers."
9. And
Tobit replied; "You are welcome brother, be not angry with me for my inquiry.
10.
I know
Ananias and Jonathan, sons of that great Samaias as we went together to
Jerusalem to worship after the firstborn and the tenth of the fruits, and they
are not seduced with the errors of our brothers, you my brother are of good
stock.
11.
But tell
me; what wages shall I give you, do you wish a drachm a day with such as things
as are required for my son? Yes and
if you return safely I will add something to your wages.
12.
So they
were well pleased." Then he
said to Tobias, "Prepare yourself for the journey."
And his son having prepared all things, his father said;
13.
"Go
with this man, and may God who dwells in heaven prosper your journey and the
angel of God keep you company." Thus
they both went forth and the young man's dog with him.
14. But Anna
his mother wept and said to Tobit; "Why have you sent our son away, is he
not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?
15. Be not
greedy to add money to money, but let it be as refuse in respect to our child,
for that which the Lord has given us to live with is sufficient for us."
16. Then
Tobit said to her; "Take no care my sister, he shall return in safety and
your eyes shall see him, for the good angel will keep him company and his
journey shall be prosperous and return safely." She then ceased weeping.
Tobias
on the journey.
1. As
they then were on their journey in the evening they came to the river Tigris and
lodged there.
2.
And when
the young man went down to wash himself, a fish leaped out of the river and
would have hurt him.
3.
Then the
angel said to him, "Take the fish." And the young man took hold of the fish and drew it to land.
4. Then the
angel said; "Open the fish and take the heart the liver and the gall, and
secure them safely".
5.
The young
man then did as was commanded him, and having roasted the fish they ate it, and
both went on their way till they drew near to Ecabane.
6. Then the
young man said to the angel; "Brother Azarias to what use is the liver and
the gall of the fish?"
7. And he
said to him; "Concerning the heart and the liver, if a devil or evil spirit
trouble any, we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the
parties shall no longer be vexed.
8.
As for
the gall, it is good to anoint a man that has whitewash in his eyes, since it
will heal him."
9.
And when
they came near to rages, the angel said to the young man; "Brother, today
we shall lodge with Raguel who is your cousin, and also he has but one daughter
named Sara.
10. And I
will speak for her that she may be given you for wife, for to you does the right
to her appertain, since you only are of her kindred.
11. And the
maiden is fair and wise, therefore now hear me, and I will speak to her father,
and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage.
12.
For I
know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the Law of Moses
except he shall be guilty of death, for the right of inheritance pertains to you
more than to any other."
13.
Then the
young man answered the angel: "I have heard brother Azarias that this
maiden has been given to seven men all of which died in the marriage chamber.
14. And now I
am the only son of my father, and I am afraid lest if I go into her I die as the
others before me.
15.
For a wicked spirit loves her who hurts no-one but those who come to her, wherefore I
fear lest I also die and bring the life of my father and mother to the grave
with sorrow, for they have no other son to bury them."
16.
Then the
angel said to him; "Do you not remember the precepts, which your father
gave you that you should marry a wife of your own kindred?
17.
Wherefore
hear me O my brother, for she shall be given you for wife, and take no account
of the evil spirit, for this same night she shall be given you in marriage.
18. And when
you shall come into the marriage chamber you shall take the ashes of perfume,
and lay some of the heart and the liver of the fish upon it to make smoke with
it.
19. And the
devil shall smell it and flee away and never again come, and when you shall come
to her, rise up both of you and pray to God who is merciful who will have pity
on you, and save you.
20.
Fear not,
for she is appointed to you from the beginning, and you shall preserve her, and
she shall go with you moreover I suppose that she shall bear children to
you."
21.
When
Tobias now heard these things, he loved her, and his heart was affectionately
joined to her.
Tobias
weds Sara.
1.
And
having come to the house of Raguel, Sara met them, and having saluted one
another she brought them into the house.
2. Then
Raguel said to Edna his wife, "See how much this young man is like Tobit my
cousin". And Raguel asked
them; "From where have you come brothers?"
3. To which
they replied; "We are of the sons of Nepthalim, which are captive in Nineveh." Then he said to them;
"Do you know Tobit our kinsman?"
4. And they
said; "We know him." And
he said; "Is he in good health?"
To which they answered; "He is both alive and in good health."
5. And
Tobias said; "He is my father." Then
Raguel jumped up and kissed him and wept and blessed him and said to him;
"You are the son of an honest and good man."
6. But when
he had heard that Tobit was blind, he was sorrowful and wept, and likewise Edna
his wife and Sara wept.
7. They
however entertained them cheerfully, and after they had killed a ram of the
flock they set meat on the table.
8. And when
they bade them to sit at the table, Tobias said; "I will not eat or drink
until you consent to my bidding and promise me to give me your daughter Sara to
wife".
9. Then
Raguel feared, for he recalled what had happened to the seven men, how they had
died before they had come into her wedding-chamber, and that it could be so with
Tobias.
10. And when
he did not answer, the angel said; "Fear not to give the maiden for your
daughter is appointed to him for wife, and he fears God wherefore your daughter
could not belong to anyone else."
11. Then
Raguel said; "I do not doubt it now that God has seen my bitter tears and
heard my prayer, and I believe that He has sent you for this reason that my
daughter would receive this one from her tribe, and I will give her to
wife."
12. He then
called his daughter Sara, and she having come he took her by the It hand and
gave her to wife to Tobias saying, "Behold, take her after the law Moses
and lead her to your father".
13. And he
blessed them and calling Edna his wife he took paper and wrote an instrument of
covenant, and sealed it, and they began to eat.
14. After
this Raguel spoke to Edna his wife, "Sister, prepare another chamber and
bring her in it".
15. And she
having done so, Sara was bidden and brought in it, and she wept, and her mother
received the tears of her daughter saying to her;
16. "Be of good comfort my daughter, the Lord of heaven and earth give you joy for your sorrow, be of good comfort my daughter."
Tobias
and Sara's wedding.
1.
And when
they had eaten they brought Tobias to her, and as he went he remembered the
words of Azarias, and took the ashes of the perfume and put the heart and liver
of the fish thereon.
2.
And
making a smoke with it, the smell of which when the evil spirit had smelled, he
fled to the utmost part of Egypt and the angel bound him.
3. After
this they both were shut in together, and Tobias rose from the bed and said,
Sister arise and let us pray that God will have pity on us.
4. Then
Tobias began to say; "Blessed art Thou O God of our fathers, and blessed is
Thy holy and glorious name forever, let the heavens bless Thee and all
creatures.
5. Thou made
Adam and gave him Eve for wife as a helper and a stay of whom came mankind, Thou
did say that it is not good that man should be alone, let us make an aid like
unto himself.
6. And now I
Lord I do not take my sister for lust, but uprightly, therefore in mercy ordain
that we may become aged together." And
she spoke with him, and so they both slept that night.
7. And
Raguel arose and went and made a grave saying.
I fear lest he also be dead, and when he had come into the house, he
asked his wife Edna to dispatch a maid to see whether he be alive, so that if he
be not - we may bury him without anyone knowing.
8.
So the
maid opened the door and going in she found both of them sleeping, and coming
forth she told them the good news.
9.
Then
Raguel blessed God and said, "O God Thou art worthy to be praised with all
pure and holy praise.
10. Therefore
let Thy saints praise Thee with all Thy creatures, and let all Thy angels and
Thy elect praise Thee forever.
11. Thou art
to be praised for Thou has made me joyful, that it has not come as I suspected,
but Thou has dealt with us according to Thy great mercy.
12. Thou art
to be praised because Thou had mercy on the two who were the only children of
their fathers, grant them mercy O Lord, and let them complete their life in
health with joy and mercy."
13. Then
Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave, and he kept the wedding feast
fourteen days, for before the consummation of the marriage Raguel had said to
him by an oath that he should not depart before fourteen days of a wedding feast
were completed.
14. And that then he should take half of his goods and depart in safety to his father, and that the rest would be his when he and his wife died.
1. Then
Tobias called Azarias and said to him; "Take a servant with you and two
camels and go to Rages of Media to Gabael, and bring me the money, and also
bring him to the wedding".
2.
For
Raguel has sworn that I shall not depart, but my father is counting the days,
and if I tarry long he will be very grieved.
3.
So
Azarias went and lodged with Gabael and gave him the handwriting, he then
brought forth the bags, which were sealed and gave them to him.
4. And early in the morning they both went forth together and came to the wedding, and Tobias blessed his wife.
1. Tobit,
his father, however was counting every day, and when the days of the journey
were expired and they came not, Tobit said; "Perhaps they are detained, or
Gabael is dead and there is no man to give him the money".
2.
He
therefore was very grieved, then his wife said to him; "My son is dead
since he stays out too long." And
she began to bewail him and said; "Now I care for nothing my son, since I
have let you go, you the light of my eyes."
3. To which
Tobit said, "Hold your peace and do not have such care, for he is
safe". But she said,
"Hold your peace and deceive me not, for my son is dead."
4. And she
went out every day into the way which they had gone, and ate no meat in the day,
and ceased not the whole night to bewail her son Tobias until the 14 days of the
wedding were expired which Raguel had sworn that he would spend there.
5.
Then
Tobias said to Raguel; "Let me go, for my father and mother do not think to
be seeing me anymore".
6. But his
father in law said, "Tarry with me, and I will sent to your father that
they may declare to him how it goes with you."
7. But
Tobias said; "No, but let me go to my father."
Then Raguel arose and gave him Sara his wife and half his goods,
servants, cattle and money, and blessed him.
8. And he
sent them away saying; "The god of heaven give you a prosperous journey my
children.
9. And he
said to his daughter; honor your father and mother in law, which are now your
parents, that I may hear good report of you, and he kissed her."
10. Edna also
then said to Tobias; "The Lord of heaven restore you my dear brother, and
grant that I may see children of my daughter Sara before I die, that I may
rejoice before the Lord.
11.
Behold I
commit my daughter to you in special trust, wherefore do not entreat her
evil."
1.
After
this Tobias went his way praising God that He had given him a prosperous journey
and blessed Raguel and Edna his wife, and went on his way till they drew near to
Nineveh.
2. Then
Raphael said to Tobias; you know brother how you left your father, so let us
haste before your wife, and prepare the house, and take with you the gall of the
fish."
3. So they
went their way, and the dog came after them, Anna now sat looking in the way for
her son, and when she espied him coming, she said to his father, "Behold my
son is coming and the man that went with him".
4. Then
Raphael said; "I know that your father will be healed in his eyes,
therefore anoint his eyes with the gall, and being pricked therewith he shall
rub and the whitewash shall fall away, and he shall see you."
5. Anna then
ran forth and fell on the neck of her son, and said to him, "Since now I
have seen you from henceforth I am content to die."
And they both wept.
6.
Tobit
also then went forward to the door and stumbled, but his son ran to him and
taking hold of his father he stroked the gall on his father's eyes saying; be of
good hope my father.
7.
And his
eyes beginning to smart he rubbed them, and the whiteness pulled away from the
corners of his eyes, and seeing his son he fell on his neck and wept.
8. And he
said; "Blessed art Thou O God and blessed is Thy name forever, and blessed
are all Thy holy angels for Thou has stricken and again taken pity on me, for
behold I see my son Tobias."
9. And his
son in rejoicing told his father the great things that had happened to him in
Media.
10. Then
Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at the gate of Nineveh rejoicing and
praising God.
11.
And they,
which saw them, go marveled because he had received his sight, and Tobit thanked
God before them in that He had shown mercy on him.
12.
And when
he came near to Sara he blessed her saying; "You are welcome my daughter,
God be blessed who has brought you to us, and blessed be your father and
mother."
13.
And there
was joy among all his brothers, which were art Nineveh, and Achiacharus and Nabas
his brother's son came, and Tobias wedding was kept seven days with great joy.
1.
Then
Tobit called his son Tobias and said to him; "My son see that the man who
went with you has his wages, and you must give him more."
2. And
Tobias said to him; "O father it is no harm to me to give him half of all
of those things which I have brought, for he has brought me again to you in
safety and made my wife whole, and brought me the money, and also healed
you."
3. Then the
old man said; "It is due to him." So he called the angel and said to him, "Take half of
all that you have brought, and go in peace".
4.
He then
took both of them apart and said; "Bless God, praise Him and magnify Him,
praise Him for the things which He has done to you in the sight of all that
live.
5.
It is
good to praise God and to exalt His name, and show His works forth honorably,
therefore be not slack to praise Him.
6.
It is
good to keep the secret of a king, but it is more honorable to reveal the works
of God, do that which is good, and no evil shall touch you.
7.
Prayer is
good with fasting, and alms, and righteousness, a little with righteousness is
better than much with unrighteousness.
8. It is
better to give alms than to lay up gold, for alms deliver from death, and shall
purge away all sin.
9. Those
that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life, but they that
sin are enemies to their own life.
10. Surely I
will keep nothing from you, for I said it is good to keep the secret of a king,
but that it was more honorable to reveal the works of God.
11. Now
therefore when you prayed, and also Sara your daughter in law, I brought the
remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One.
12. And when
you buried the dead, I was with you likewise, and when you did not delay to rise
up and leave your dinner to go and cover the dead, your good deeds were not hid
from me, but I was with you.
13. And now
God has sent me to heal you and Sara your daughter in law, I am Raphael one of
the seven holy angels which present the prayers of the saints, and who go in and
out before the glory of the Holy One."
14. Then they
began to be troubled and fell on their faces for fear, but he said to them;
"Fear not for it shall go well with you, praise therefore God.
15. For not
for any favor of mine, but by the will of God I came, wherefore praise Him
forever.
16.
All these
days I appeared to you, but I ate neither did I drink, but you saw in a vision,
now therefore give thanks to God, for I go up to Him that has sent me, but write
all things done in a book."
17. And when
they arose they saw him no more, then they confessed the great and wonderful
works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.
1.
Then
Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing and said, "Blessed be God who lives
forever, and blessed be His kingdom.
2.
For he
scourges and has mercy, He leads down to hell and brings up again, nor is there
any that can avoid His hand.
3.
Confess
Him before the Gentiles you children of Israel, for He has scattered us among
them to there declare His greatness and to extol Him before all the living.
4.
For He is
our Lord, He the God our Father forever, He will scourge us for our iniquities,
and again will have mercy.
5.
If you
turn to Him with your whole heart and with your whole mind and deal uprightly
before Him then He will turn to you and not hide His face from you.
6. Therefore
behold what He will do with you, and confess Him with your whole mouth, and
praise the Lord of might, and extol the everlasting King.
7.
In the
land of my captivity I praise Him, and declare His might and majesty to a sinful
nation.
8.
O you
sinners turn and do justice before Him, who knows if He may accept you and have
mercy on you.
9.
I will
extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King of heaven, and shall rejoice in
His greatness.
10. Let all
men speak and let all praise Him for His righteousness, O Jerusalem the holy
city, He will scourge you for the works of your children, and He will have mercy
again on the sons of the righteous.
11. Give
praise to the Lord for He is good, and praise the everlasting King His
tabernacle may be built in you again with joy, and let him make joyful those
that are captive in her, forever loving those that are miserable.
12. Many
nations shall come from far to the name of the Lord God with gifts in their
hands, even gifts to the King of heaven; all generations shall praise Thee with
great joy.
13.
Cursed
are all they which hate Thee, and blessed shall be all which love Thee forever,
rejoice and be glad for the children of the just, for they shall be gathered
together, and shall bless the Lord of the just.
14. O blessed
are they which love Thee, for they shall rejoice in Thy peace, blessed are they
which have been sorrowful for all Thy scourges for they shall rejoice in Thee
when they have seen all Thy glory, and shall be glad forever.
15.
Let my
soul bless God the great King, for Jerusalem shall be built with sapphires and
emeralds and precious stone, Thy walls, towers and battlements with pure gold.
16.
And the
streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with Beryl and carbuncle, and stone of Ophir.
17.
And all
her streets shall say Alleluia, and they shall praise Him saying; blessed be God
which has extolled it forever."
1. And
Tobit made an end of praising God, and he was 58 years old when he lost his
sight, which was restored, to him after eight years, and he gave alms and
increased in the fear of the Lord and praised God.
2.
And when
he was very aged he called his son and the six sons of his son, and said to him;
3.
"My
son take your children, for behold I am aged and am ready to depart out of this
life.
4.
Go out
into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonah the prophet
spoke of Nineveh that it shall be overthrown, and that for the time there will be
peace in Media, and that our brothers shall be scattered from that good land.
5.
And
Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God shall be burned and be
desolate for a time until again God will have mercy on them and bring them again
in the land where they shall built a temple, but not like unto the first.
6. Until the
time of that age be fulfilled, after which they shall return from all places of
their captivity and gloriously rebuilt Jerusalem.
7. And the
house of God shall be built in it forever with a glorious building as the
prophets spoke concerning it.
8. And all
the nations shall turn and fear the Lord God truly, and shall bury their idols,
so shall all nations praise the Lord.
9.
And His
people shall confess God, and the Lord shall exalt His people, and all those
which love the Lord God in truth and justice shall rejoice showing mercy to our
brothers.
10. And now
my son, depart out of Nineveh for those things which the prophet Jonah spoke
shall surely come to pass.
11.
But as
for you, keep the law and the commandments, and show yourself merciful and just
that it may go well with you.
12. And bury
me decently and your mother with me, but tarry no longer at Nineveh, remember my
son how Aman handled Achiacharus that brought him up.
13.
How he
brought him up out of darkness into light, and how he returned the reward, yet
Achiacharus was saved, while the other had his reward for he went down into the
darkness.
14.
Manassas
gave alms and escaped the snares of death, which they had set for him, but Aman
fell into the snares, and perished.
15.
Wherefore
now my son consider what alms will do, and how righteousness delivers.
16. And
having said these things he gave up the ghost in his bed, being 158 years old,
and his son buried him with honor.
17. And when
Anna his mother was dead he buried her with his father and Tobias with his wife
and children to Ecabane, to Raguel his father in law where he became old with
honor.
18.
He then
buried his father and mother in law honorably and inherited their substance as
he did of his father Tobit.
19. And he died at Ecabane in Media being 127 years old, but before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineveh, which was taken by Nebuchadnezzar of Assuerus, and before his death he rejoiced over Nineveh
