Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 1
1: The book of
the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son
of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe
of Nephthali;
2: 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 called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser.
3: I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the
ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my
brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the
land of the Assyrians.
4: And when I was in mine own country, in the land of
Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father
fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all
the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice
there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was
consecrated and built for all ages.
5: Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the
house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.
6: But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as
it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting
decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that
which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the
priests the children of Aaron.
7: The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the
sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I
sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem:
8: And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as
Debora my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left
an orphan by my father.
9: Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I
married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.
10: And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all
my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the
bread of the Gentiles.
11: But I kept myself from eating;
12: Because I remembered God with all my heart.
13: And the most High gave me grace and favour before
Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.
14: And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael,
the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of
silver.
15: Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son
reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could
not go into Media.
16: And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my
brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,
17: And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my
nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.
18: And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he
was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his
wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they
were sought for of the king.
19: And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of
me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself;
understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I
withdrew myself for fear.
20: Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither
was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son
Tobias.
21: And there passed not five and fifty days, before two
of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of
Ararath; and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who
appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs,
Achiacharus my brother Anael's son.
22: And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to
Nineve. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet,
and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and Sarchedonus
appointed him next unto him: and he was my brother's son.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 2
1: Now when I
was come home again, and my wife Anna was restored unto me, with
my son Tobias, in the feast of Pentecost, which is the holy
feast of the seven weeks, there was a good dinner prepared me,
in the which I sat down to eat.
2: And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son, Go
and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our
brethren, who is mindful of the Lord; and, lo, I tarry for thee.
3: But he came again, and said, Father, one of our nation
is strangled, and is cast out in the marketplace.
4: Then before I had tasted of any meat, I started up,
and took him up into a room until the going down of the sun.
5: Then I returned, and washed myself, and ate my meat in
heaviness,
6: Remembering that prophecy of Amos, as he said, Your
feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your mirth into
lamentation.
7: Therefore I wept: and after the going down of the sun
I went and made a grave, and buried him.
8: But my neighbours mocked me, and said, This man is not
yet afraid to be put to death for this matter: who fled away;
and yet, lo, he burieth the dead again.
9: The same night also I returned from the burial, and
slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted and my face
was uncovered:
10: And I knew not that there were sparrows in the wall,
and mine eyes being open, the sparrows muted warm dung into mine
eyes, and a whiteness came in mine eyes: and I went to the
physicians, but they helped me not: moreover Achiacharus did
nourish me, until I went into Elymais.
11: And my wife Anna did take women's works to do.
12: And when she had sent them home to the owners, they
paid her wages, and gave her also besides a kid.
13: And when it was in my house, and began to cry, I said
unto her, From whence is this kid? is it not stolen? render it
to the owners; for it is not lawful to eat any thing that is
stolen.
14: But she replied upon me, It was given for a gift more
than the wages. Howbeit I did not believe her, but bade her
render it to the owners: and I was abashed at her. But she
replied upon me, Where are thine alms and thy righteous deeds?
behold, thou and all thy works are known.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 3
1: Then I
being grieved did weep, and in my sorrow prayed, saying,
2: O Lord, thou art just, and all thy works and all thy
ways are mercy and truth, and thou judgest truly and justly for
ever.
3: Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins
and ignorances, and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned
before thee:
4: For they obeyed not thy commandments: wherefore thou
hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, and unto
death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among
whom we are dispersed.
5: And now thy judgments are many and true: deal with me
according to my sins and my fathers': because we have not kept
thy commandments, neither have walked in truth before thee.
6: Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee,
and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be
dissolved, and become earth: for it is profitable for me to die
rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and
have much sorrow: command therefore that I may now be delivered
out of this distress, and go into the everlasting place: turn
not thy face away from me.
7: It came to pass the same day, that in Ecbatane a city
of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her
father's maids;
8: Because that she had been married to seven husbands,
whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain
with her. Dost thou not know, said they, that thou hast
strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands,
neither wast thou named after any of them.
9: Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead,
go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or
daughter.
10: Whe she heard these things, she was very sorrowful,
so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I
am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be
a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow
unto the grave.
11: Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Blessed
art thou, O Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is
blessed and honourable for ever: let all thy works praise thee
for ever.
12: And now, O Lord, I set I mine eyes and my face toward
thee,
13: And say, Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no
more the reproach.
14: Thou knowest, Lord, that I am pure from all sin with
man,
15: And that I never polluted my name, nor the name of my
father, in the land of my captivity: I am the only daughter of
my father, neither hath he any child to be his heir, neither any
near kinsman, nor any son of his alive, to whom I may keep
myself for a wife: 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 hear no more reproach.
16: So the prayers of them both were heard before the
majesty of the great God.
17: And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to
scale away the whiteness of Tobit's eyes, and to give Sara the
daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to
bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by
right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and
entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came
down from her upper chamber.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 4
1: In that day
Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in
Rages of Media,
2: And said with himself, I have wished for death;
wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to
him of the money before I die?
3: And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am
dead, bury me; and despise not thy mother, but honour her all
the days of thy life, and do that which shall please her, and
grieve her not.
4: Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee,
when thou wast in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me
in one grave.
5: My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days,
and let not thy will be set to sin, or to transgress his
commandments: do uprightly all thy life long, and follow not the
ways of unrighteousness.
6: For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously
succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly.
7: Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms,
let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any
poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee.
8: If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou
have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that
little:
9: For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against
the day of necessity.
10: Because that alms do deliver from death, and
suffereth not to come into darkness.
11: For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the
sight of the most High.
12: Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a
wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to
wife, which is not of thy father's tribe: for we are the
children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:
remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, even that
they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in
their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.
13: Now therefore, my son, love thy brethren, and despise
not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy
people, in not taking a wife of them: for in pride is
destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great
want: for lewdness is the mother of famine.
14: Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for
thee, tarry with thee, but give him it out of hand: for if thou
serve God, he will also repay thee: be circumspect my son, in
all things thou doest, and be wise in all thy conversation.
15: Do that to no man which thou hatest: drink not wine
to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in
thy journey.
16: Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments
to them that are naked; and according to thine abundance give
alms: and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.
17: Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but
give nothing to the wicked.
18: Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any
counsel that is profitable.
19: Bless the Lord thy God always, and desire of him that
thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels
may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord
himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as
he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments,
neither let them be put out of thy mind.
20: And now I signify this to they that I committed ten
talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.
21: And fear not, my son, that we are made poor: for thou
hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and
do that which is pleasing in his sight.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 5
1: Tobias then
answered and said, Father, I will do all things which thou hast
commanded me:
2: But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him
not?
3: Then he gave him the handwriting, and said unto him,
Seek thee a man which may go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I
will give him wages: and go and receive the money.
4: Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael
that was an angel.
5: But he knew not; and he said unto him, Canst thou go
with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well?
6: To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I
know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.
7: Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell
my father.
8: Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not. So he went in
and said to his father, Behold, I have found one which will go
with me. Then he said, Call him unto me, that I may know of what
tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee.
9: So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one
another.
10: Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what
tribe and family thou art.
11: To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or
family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto
him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name.
12: Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the
great, and of thy brethren.
13: Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not
now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and
thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good
stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great
Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and
offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they
were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother,
thou art of a good stock.
14: But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou
a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?
15: Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add
something to thy wages.
16: So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias,
Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good
journey. And when his son had prepared all things far the
journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which
dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God
keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man's
dog with them.
17: But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast
thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in
going in and out before us?
18: Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as
refuse in respect of our child.
19: For that which the Lord hath given us to live with
doth suffice us.
20: Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he
shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.
21: For the good angel will keep him company, and his
journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.
22: Then she made an end of weeping.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 6
1: And as they
went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river
Tigris, and they lodged there.
2: And when the young man went down to wash himself, a
fish leaped out of the river, and would have devoured him.
3: Then the angel said unto him, Take the fish. And the
young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land.
4: To whom the angel said, Open the fish, and take the
heart and the liver and the gall, and put them up safely.
5: So the young man did as the angel commanded him; and
when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it: then they both
went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatane.
6: Then the young man said to the angel, Brother Azarias,
to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish?
7: And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the
liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must make a
smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the party shall
be no more vexed.
8: As for the gall, it is good to anoint a man that hath
whiteness in his eyes, and he shall be healed.
9: And when they were come near to Rages,
10: The angel said to the young man, Brother, to day we
shall lodge with Raguel, who is thy cousin; he also hath one
only daughter, named Sara; I will speak for her, that she may be
given thee for a wife.
11: For to thee doth the right of her appertain, seeing
thou only art of her kindred.
12: And the maid is fair and wise: now therefore hear me,
and I will speak to her father; and when we return from Rages we
will celebrate the marriage: for I know that Raguel cannot marry
her to another according to the law of Moses, but he shall be
guilty of death, because the right of inheritance doth rather
appertain to thee than to any other.
13: Then the young man answered the angel, I have heard,
brother Azarias that this maid hath been given to seven men, who
all died in the marriage chamber.
14: And now I am the only son of my father, and I am
afraid, lest if I go in unto her, I die, as the other before:
for a wicked spirit loveth her, which hurteth no body, but those
which come unto her; wherefore I also fear lest I die, and bring
my father's and my mother's life because of me to the grave with
sorrow: for they have no other son to bury them.
15: Then the angel said unto him, Dost thou not remember
the precepts which thy father gave thee, that thou shouldest
marry a wife of thine own kindred? wherefore hear me, O my
brother; for she shall be given thee to wife; and make thou no
reckoning of the evil spirit; for this same night shall she be
given thee in marriage.
16: And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber,
thou shalt take the ashes of perfume, and shalt lay upon them
some of the heart and liver of the fish, and shalt make a smoke
with it:
17: And the devil shall smell it, and flee away, and
never come again any more: but when thou shalt come to her, rise
up both of you, and pray to God which is merciful, who will have
pity on you, and save you: fear not, for she is appointed unto
thee from the beginning; and thou shalt preserve her, and she
shall go with thee. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee
children. Now when Tobias had heard these things, he loved her,
and his heart was effectually joined to her.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 7
1: And when
they were come to Ecbatane, they came to the house of Raguel,
and Sara met them: and after they had saluted one another, she
brought them into the house.
2: Then said Raguel to Edna his wife, How like is this
young man to Tobit my cousin!
3: And Raguel asked them, From whence are ye, brethren?
To whom they said, We are of the sons of Nephthalim, which are
captives in Nineve.
4: Then he said to them, Do ye know Tobit our kinsman?
And they said, We know him. Then said he, Is he in good health?
5: And they said, He is both alive, and in good health:
and Tobias said, He is my father.
6: Then Raguel leaped up, and kissed him, and wept,
7: And blessed him, and said unto him, Thou art the son
of an honest and good man. But when he had heard that Tobit was
blind, he was sorrowful, and wept.
8: And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept.
Moreover they entertained them cheerfully; and after that they
had killed a ram of the flock, they set store of meat on the
table. Then said Tobias to Raphael, Brother Azarias, speak of
those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this
business be dispatched.
9: So he communicated the matter with Raguel: and Raguel
said to Tobias, Eat and drink, and make merry:
10: For it is meet that thou shouldest marry my daughter:
nevertheless I will declare unto thee the truth.
11: I have given my daughter in marriage to seven men,
who died that night they came in unto her: nevertheless for the
present be merry. But Tobias said, I will eat nothing here, till
we agree and swear one to another.
12: Raguel said, Then take her from henceforth according
to the manner, for thou art her cousin, and she is thine, and
the merciful God give you good success in all things.
13: Then he called his daughter Sara, and she came to her
father, and he took her by the hand, and gave her to be wife to
Tobias, saying, Behold, take her after the law of Moses, and
lead her away to thy father. And he blessed them;
14: And called Edna his wife, and took paper, and did
write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it.
15: Then they began to eat.
16: After Raguel called his wife Edna, and said unto her,
Sister, prepare another chamber, and bring her in thither.
17: Which when she had done as he had bidden her, she
brought her thither: and she wept, and she received the tears of
her daughter, and said unto her,
18: Be of good comfort, my daughter; the Lord of heaven
and earth give thee joy for this thy sorrow: be of good comfort,
my daughter.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 8
1: And when
they had supped, they brought Tobias in unto her.
2: And as he went, he remembered the words of Raphael,
and took the ashes of the perfumes, and put the heart and the
liver of the fish thereupon, and made a smoke therewith.
3: The which smell when the evil spirit had smelled, he
fled into the utmost parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him.
4: And after that they were both shut in together, Tobias
rose out of the bed, and said, Sister, arise, and let us pray
that God would have pity on us.
5: Then began Tobias to say, Blessed art thou, O God of
our fathers, and blessed is thy holy and glorious name for ever;
let the heavens bless thee, and all thy creatures.
6: Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an
helper and stay: of them came mankind: thou hast said, It is not
good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like
unto himself.
7: And now, O Lord, I take not this my sister for lush
but uprightly: therefore mercifully ordain that we may become
aged together.
8: And she said with him, Amen.
9: So they slept both that night. And Raguel arose, and
went and made a grave,
10: Saying, I fear lest he also be dead.
11: But when Raguel was come into his house,
12: He said unto his wife Edna. Send one of the maids,
and let her see whether he be alive: if he be not, that we may
bury him, and no man know it.
13: So the maid opened the door, and went in, and found
them both asleep,
14: And came forth, and told them that he was alive.
15: Then Raguel praised God, and said, O God, thou art
worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise; therefore
let thy saints praise thee with all thy creatures; and let all
thine angels and thine elect praise thee for ever.
16: Thou art to be praised, for thou hast made me joyful;
and that is not come to me which I suspected; but thou hast
dealt with us according to thy great mercy.
17: Thou art to be praised because thou hast had mercy of
two that were the only begotten children of their fathers: grant
them mercy, O Lord, and finish their life in health with joy and
mercy.
18: Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave.
19: And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days.
20: For before the days of the marriage were finished,
Raguel had said unto him by an oath, that he should not depart
till the fourteen days of the marriage were expired;
21: And then he should take the half of his goods, and go
in safety to his father; and should have the rest when I and my
wife be dead.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 9
1: Then Tobias
called Raphael, and said unto him,
2: Brother Azarias, take with thee a servant, and two
camels, and go to Rages of Media to Gabael, and bring me the
money, and bring him to the wedding.
3: For Raguel hath sworn that I shall not depart.
4: But my father counteth the days; and if I tarry long,
he will be very sorry.
5: So Raphael went out, and lodged with Gabael, and gave
him the handwriting: who brought forth bags which were sealed
up, and gave them to him.
6: And early in the morning they went forth both
together, and came to the wedding: and Tobias blessed his wife.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 10
1: Now Tobit
his father counted every day: and when the days of the journey
were expired, and they came not,
2: Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead,
and there is no man to give him the money?
3: Therefore he was very sorry.
4: Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead, seeing he
stayeth long; and she began to wail him, and said,
5: Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let thee
go, the light of mine eyes.
6: To whom Tobit said, Hold thy peace, take no care, for
he is safe.
7: But she said, Hold thy peace, and deceive me not; my
son is dead. And she went out every day into the way which they
went, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and ceased not whole
nights to bewail her son Tobias, until the fourteen days of the
wedding were expired, which Raguel had sworn that he should
spend there. Then Tobias said to Raguel, Let me go, for my
father and my mother look no more to see me.
8: But his father in law said unto him, Tarry with me,
and I will send to thy father, and they shall declare unto him
how things go with thee.
9: But Tobias said, No; but let me go to my father.
10: Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and
half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money:
11: And he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, The
God of heaven give you a prosperous journey, my children.
12: And he said to his daughter, Honour thy father and
thy mother in law, which are now thy parents, that I may hear
good report of thee. And he kissed her. Edna also said to
Tobias, The Lord of heaven restore thee, my dear brother, and
grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sara before I
die, that I may rejoice before the Lord: behold, I commit my
daughter unto thee of special trust; where are do not entreat
her evil.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 11
1: After these
things 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 unto Nineve.
2: Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother,
how thou didst leave thy father:
3: Let us haste before thy wife, and prepare the house.
4: And take in thine hand the gall of the fish. So they
went their way, and the dog went after them.
5: Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son.
6: And when she espied him coming, she said to his
father, Behold, thy son cometh, and the man that went with him.
7: Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that thy father
will open his eyes.
8: Therefore anoint thou his eyes with the gall, and
being pricked therewith, he shall rub, and the whiteness shall
fall away, and he shall see thee.
9: Then Anna ran forth, and fell upon the neck of her
son, and said unto him, Seeing I have seen thee, my son, from
henceforth I am content to die. And they wept both.
10: Tobit also went forth toward the door, and stumbled:
but his son ran unto him,
11: And took hold of his father: and he strake of the
gall on his fathers' eyes, saying, Be of good hope, my father.
12: And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them;
13: And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his
eyes: and when he saw his son, he fell upon his neck.
14: And he wept, and said, Blessed art thou, O God, and
blessed is thy name for ever; and blessed are all thine holy
angels:
15: For thou hast scourged, and hast taken pity on me:
for, behold, I see my son Tobias. And his son went in rejoicing,
and told his father the great things that had happened to him in
Media.
16: Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at
the gate of Nineve, rejoicing and praising God: and they which
saw him go marvelled, because he had received his sight.
17: But Tobias gave thanks before them, because God had
mercy on him. And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law,
he blessed her, saying, Thou art welcome, daughter: God be
blessed, which hath brought thee unto us, and blessed be thy
father and thy mother. And there was joy among all his brethren
which were at Nineve.
18: And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his brother's son, came:
19: And Tobias' wedding was kept seven days with great
joy.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 12
1: Then Tobit
called his son Tobias, and said unto him, My son, see that the
man have his wages, which went with thee, and thou must give him
more.
2: And Tobias said unto him, O father, it is no harm to
me to give him half of those things which I have brought:
3: For he hath brought me again to thee in safety, and
made whole my wife, and brought me the money, and likewise
healed thee.
4: Then the old man said, It is due unto him.
5: So he called the angel, and he said unto him, Take
half of all that ye have brought and go away in safety.
6: Then he took them both apart, and said unto them,
Bless God, praise him, and magnify him, and praise him for the
things which he hath done unto you in the sight of all that
live. It is good to praise God, and exalt his name, and
honourably to shew forth the works of God; therefore be not
slack to praise him.
7: It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but it
is honourable to reveal the works of God. Do that which is good,
and no evil shall touch you.
8: Prayer is good with fasting and alms and
righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much
with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up
gold:
9: For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away
all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be
filled with life:
10: But they that sin are enemies to their own life.
11: Surely I will keep close nothing from you. For I
said, It was good to keep close the secret of a king, but that
it was honourable to reveal the works of God.
12: Now therefore, when thou didst pray, and Sara thy
daughter in law, I did bring the remembrance of your prayers
before the Holy One: and when thou didst bury the dead, I was
with thee likewise.
13: And when thou didst not delay to rise up, and leave
thy dinner, to go and cover the dead, thy good deed was not hid
from me: but I was with thee.
14: And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy
daughter in law.
15: I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which
present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out
before the glory of the Holy One.
16: Then they were both troubled, and fell upon their
faces: for they feared.
17: But he said unto them, Fear not, for it shall go well
with you; praise God therefore.
18: For not of any favour of mine, but by the will of our
God I came; wherefore praise him for ever.
19: All these days I did appear unto you; but I did
neither eat nor drink, but ye did see a vision.
20: Now therefore give God thanks: for I go up to him
that sent me; but write all things which are done in a book.
21: And when they arose, they saw him no more.
22: Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of
God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared unto them.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 13
1: Then Tobit
wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said, Blessed be God that
liveth for ever, and blessed be his kingdom.
2: For he doth scourge, and hath mercy: he leadeth down
to hell, and bringeth up again: neither is there any that can
avoid his hand.
3: Confess him before the Gentiles, ye children of
Israel: for he hath scattered us among them.
4: There declare his greatness, and extol him before all
the living: for he is our Lord, and he is the God our Father for
ever.
5: And he will scourge us for our iniquities, and will
have mercy again, and will gather us out of all nations, among
whom he hath scattered us.
6: If ye turn to him with your whole heart, and with your
whole mind, and deal uprightly before him, then will he turn
unto you, and will not hide his face from you. Therefore see
what he will do with you, and confess him with your whole mouth,
and praise the Lord of might, and extol the everlasting King. In
the land of my captivity do I praise him, and declare his might
and majesty to a sinful nation. O ye sinners, turn and do
justice before him: who can tell if he will accept you, and have
mercy on you?
7: I will extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King
of heaven, and shall rejoice in his greatness.
8: Let all men speak, and let all praise him for his
righteousness.
9: O Jerusalem, the holy city, he will scourge thee for
thy children's works, and will have mercy again on the sons of
the righteous.
10: Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: and praise
the everlasting King, that his tabernacle may be builded in thee
again with joy, and let him make joyful there in thee those that
are captives, and love in thee for ever those that are
miserable.
11: 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.
12: Cursed are all they which hate thee, and blessed
shall all be which love thee for ever.
13: 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 for thee, when they
have seen all thy glory, and shall be glad for ever.
15: Let my soul bless God the great King.
16: For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and
emeralds, and precious stone: thy walls and towers and
battlements with pure gold.
17: And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with
beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir.
18: And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they
shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it
for ever.
Tobit (Apocrypha),
chapter 14
1: So Tobit
made an end of praising God.
2: And he was eight and fifty years old when he lost his
sight, which was restored to him after eight years: and he gave
alms, and he increased in the fear of the Lord God, and praised
him.
3: And when he was very aged he called his son, and the
sons of his son, and said to him, My son, take thy children;
for, behold, I am aged, and am ready to depart out of this life.
4: Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those
things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be
overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media;
and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that
good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God
in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;
5: And that again God will have mercy on them, and bring
them again into the land, where they shall build a temple, but
not like to the first, until the time of that age be fulfilled;
and afterward they shall return from all places of their
captivity, and build up Jerusalem gloriously, and the house of
God shall be built in it for ever with a glorious building, as
the prophets have spoken thereof.
6: And all nations shall turn, and fear the Lord God
truly, and shall bury their idols.
7: So shall all nations praise the Lord, 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, shewing mercy to our brethren.
8: And now, my son, depart out of Nineve, because that
those things which the prophet Jonas spake shall surely come to
pass.
9: But keep thou the law and the commandments, and shew
thyself merciful and just, that it may go well with thee.
10: And bury me decently, and thy mother with me; but
tarry no longer at Nineve. Remember, my son, how Aman handled
Achiacharus that brought him up, how out of light he brought him
into darkness, and how he rewarded him again: yet Achiacharus
was saved, but the other had his reward: for he went down into
darkness. Manasses gave alms, and escaped the snares of death
which they had set for him: but Aman fell into the snare, and
perished.
11: Wherefore now, my son, consider what alms doeth, and
how righteousness doth deliver. When he had said these things,
he gave up the ghost in the bed, being an hundred and eight and
fifty years old; and he buried him honourably.
12: And when Anna his mother was dead, he buried her with
his father. But Tobias departed with his wife and children to
Ecbatane to Raguel his father in law,
13: Where he became old with honour, and he buried his
father and mother in law honourably, and he inherited their
substance, and his father Tobit's.
14: And he died at Ecbatane in Media, being an hundred
and seven and twenty years old.
15: But before he died he heard of the destruction of
Nineve, which was taken by Nabuchodonosor and Assuerus: and
before his death he rejoiced over Nineve. |