1 The book of the words of Tovi (Tobit), the son of Toviel, the son of Hananiel, the son of Adiel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asiyel, of the tribe of Naftali (Naphtali); 2 who in the days of the Assyrian King Shalmaneser[fn] was carried away captive out of Thisbe, which is on the right hand of Kedesh Naftali in Galil above Asher.

3 I, Tovi walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life, and I gave to the poor many times to my kindred and my nation, who went with me into the land of the Assyrians, to Nineveh. 4 When I was in my own country, in the land of Yisrael (Israel), while I was yet young, all the tribe of Naftali my father fell away from the house of Yerushalem (Jerusalem), which was chosen out of all the tribes of Yisrael, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, and the temple of the habitation of the Most High was hallowed and built there for all ages. 5 All the tribes which fell away together sacrificed to the heifer Ba’al, and so did the house of Naftali my father. 6 I alone went often to Yerushalem at the feasts, as it’s been ordained to all Yisrael by an eternal decree, having the first fruits and the tenths of my increase, and that which was first shorn; and I gave them at the altar to the priests the sons of Aharon (Aaron). 7 I gave a tenth part of all my increase to the sons of Levi, who ministered at Yerushalem. A second tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it each year at Yerushalem. 8 A third tenth I gave to them to whom it was appropriate, as Deborah my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father. 9 When I became a man, I took as wife Hanah of the seed of our own family. With her, I became the father of Toviyah (Tobias). 10 When I was carried away captive to Nineveh, all my kindred and my relatives ate of the bread of the Gentiles; 11 but I kept myself from eating, 12 because I remembered God with all my soul. 13 So the Most High gave me grace and favour[fn] in the sight of Shalmaneser, and I was his purchasing agent. 14 And I went into Maday (Media), and left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages of Maday.

15 And when Shalmaneser was dead, his son Sanheriv (Sennacherib) reigned in his place. In his time, the highways were troubled,[fn] and I could no longer go into Maday. 16 In the days of Shalmaneser, I gave to the poor many times to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry, 17 and my clothes to the naked. If I saw any of my race dead, and thrown out on[fn] Nineveh’s wall, I buried him. 18 If Sanheriv the king killed any, when he came fleeing from Yehudah (Judea), I buried them privately; for in his anger he killed many; and the bodies were searched for by the king, and weren’t found. 19 But one of the Nineuitais went and showed to the king about me, how I buried them, and hid myself; and when I knew that I was being searched for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. 20 And all my goods were forcibly taken away, and there was nothing left to me, save my wife Hanah and my son Toviyah. 21 No more than fifty five days passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the Ararat mountains. And his son Esar-Hadon reigned in his place; and he appointed Ahikar my brother Hanael’s son over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his affairs. 22 Ahikar requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Ahikar was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Esar-Hadon appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

2 Now when I’d come home again, and my wife Hanah was restored to me, and my son Toviyah (Tobias), in the feast of Pentecost, which is the holy feast of the seven weeks, there was a good dinner prepared for me, and I sat down to eat. 2 I saw abundance of meat, and I said to my son, “Go and bring whatever poor man you find of our kindred, who’s mindful of the master. Listen, I wait for you.”

3 Then he came, and said, “Father, one of our fellow-citizens has been strangled, and his body has been thrown onto the street in the marketplace.” 4 Before I’d tasted anything, I sprang up, and took him up into a chamber until the sun had set. 5 Then I returned, washed myself, ate my bread in heaviness, 6 and remembered the prophecy of Amos, as he said,

“Your feasts will be turned into mourning,

and all your mirth into lamentation.”[ref]

7 So I wept: and when the sun had set, I went and dug a grave, and buried him. 8 My neighbours mocked me, and said, “He’s no longer afraid to be put to death for this matter; and yet he fled away. Listen, he buries the dead again.” 9 The same night I returned from burying him, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted; and my face was uncovered. 10 I didn’t know that there were sparrows in the wall. My eyes were open and the sparrows dropped warm dung into my eyes, and white films came over my eyes. I went to the physicians, and they didn’t help me; but Ahikar nourished me, until I went[fn] into Elymais.

11 My wife Hanah wove cloth in the women’s chambers, 12 and sent the work back to the owners. They on their part paid her wages, and also gave her a kid. 13 But when it came to my house, it began to cry, and I said to her, “Where did this kid come from? Is it stolen? Give it back to the owners; for it isn’t lawful to eat anything that’s stolen.” 14 But she said, “It’s been given to me for a gift more than the wages.”

I didn’t believe her, and I asked her to return it to the owners; and I was ashamed of her.

But she replied to me, “What about your gifts to the poor and your righteous actions? Listen, you and all your works are known.”[fn]

3 I was grieved and wept, and prayed in sorrow, saying,

2 “O master, you’re righteous, and all your works and all your ways are mercy and truth, and you judge true and righteous judgement forever. 3 Remember me, and look at me. Don’t take vengeance on me for my sins and my ignorances, and the sins of my fathers who sinned before you. 4 Because they disobeyed your commandments. You gave us as plunder, for captivity, for death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we’re dispersed. 5 Now your judgements are many and true, that you should deal with me according to my sins and the sins of my fathers, because we didn’t keep your commandments, for we didn’t walk in truth before you. 6 Now deal with me according to that which is pleasing in your sight. Command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be released, and become earth. Because it’s more profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I’ve heard false reproaches, and there’s much sorrow in me. Command that I be released from my distress, now, and go to the eternal place. Don’t turn your face away from me.”

7 The same day it happened to Sarah the daughter of Re’uel in Ahmeta of Maday (Media), that she also was reproached by her father’s female servants; 8 because that she’d been given to seven husbands, and Ashmedai the evil spirit[fn] killed them, before they’d lain with her. And they said to her, “Don’t you know that you strangle your husbands? You’ve already had seven husbands, and you haven’t borne the name of any one of them. 9 Why do you scourge us? If they’re dead, go your ways with them. Let us never see either son or daughter from you.” 10 When she heard these things, she was deeply distressed, so that she thought about hanging herself. Then she said, “I’m my father’s only daughter. If I do this, it’ll be a reproach to him, and I’ll bring down his old age with sorrow to the grave.”[fn] 11 Then she prayed by the window, and said, “Blessed are you, Oh master my god, and blessed is your holy and honourable name forever! Let all your works praise you forever! 12 And now, master, I’ve set my eyes and my face towards you. 13 Command that I be released from the earth, and that I no longer hear reproach. 14 You know, master, that I’m pure from all sin with man, 15 and that I never polluted my name or my father’s name in the land of my captivity. I’m the only daughter of my father, and he has no child that’ll be his heir, nor brother near him, nor son belonging to him, that I should keep myself for a wife to him. Seven husbands of mine are dead already. Why should I live? If it doesn’t please you to kill me, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, and that I hear no more reproach.”

16 The prayer of both was heard before the glory of the great God. 17 Refael (Raphael) also was sent to heal them both, to scale away the white films from Tovi’s eyes, and to give Sarah the daughter of Re’uel for a wife to Toviyah (Tobias) the son of Tovi; and to bind the evil spirit[fn] Ashmedai; because it belonged to Toviyah that he should inherit her. At that very time, Tovi returned and entered into his house, and Sarah the daughter of Re’uel came down from her upstairs room.

4 In that day Tovi (Tobit) remembered the money which he’d left in trust with Gabael in Rages of Maday (Media), 2 and he said to himself, I’ve asked for death; why don’t I call my son Toviyah, that I may explain to him about the money before I die? 3 And he called him, and said,

“My child, if I die, bury me. Don’t despise your mother. Honour her all the days of your life, and do that which is pleasing to her, and don’t grieve her. 4 Remember, my child, that she’s seen many dangers for you, when you were in her womb. When she’s dead, bury her by me in one grave. 5 My child, be mindful of the master our god all your days, and don’t let your will be set to sin and to transgress his commandments: do righteousness all the days of your life, and don’t follow the ways of unrighteousness. 6 Because if you do what is true, your activities will prosperously succeed for you, and for all those who do righteousness. 7 Give to the poor from your possessions. When you give to the poor, don’t let your eye be envious. Don’t turn away your face from any poor man, and God’s face won’t be turned away from you. 8 Give to the poor in proportion to what you have. If you have little, don’t be afraid to give from that little; 9 for you lay up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity; 10 because giving to the poor delivers from death, and doesn’t allow you to come into darkness. 11 Giving to the poor is a good gift in the sight of the Most High for all that give it. 12 Beware, my child, of all fornication, and take first a wife from your own extended family. Don’t take a strange wife, who isn’t of your father’s tribe; for we’re the descendants of the prophets. Remember, my child, that Noah, Avraham, Yitshak (Isaac), and Ya’akov (Jacob), our fathers of old time, all took wives of their kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed will inherit the land. 13 And now, my child, love your kindred, and don’t scorn your kindred and the sons and the daughters of your people in your heart, to take a wife of them; for in scornfulness is destruction and much trouble, and in idleness is decay and great lack; for idleness is the mother of famine. 14 Don’t let the wages of any man who works for you wait with you, but give it to him out of hand. If you serve God, you’ll be rewarded. Take heed to yourself, my child, in all your works, and be discreet in all your behaviour. 15 And what you yourself hate, do to no man. Don’t drink wine to drunkenness, and don’t let drunkenness go with you on your way. 16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothes to those who are naked. Give to the poor from all your abundance. Don’t let your eye be envious when you give to the poor. 17 Pour out your bread on the burial[fn] of the just, and give nothing to sinners. 18 Ask counsel of every man who’s wise, and don’t despise any counsel that’s profitable. 19 Bless the master your god at all times, and ask of him that your ways may be made straight, and that all your paths and counsels may prosper; for every nation has no counsel; but the master himself gives all good things, and he humbles whom he will, as he will. And now, my child, remember my commandments, and let them not be blotted out of your mind. 20 And now I explain to you about the ten talents of silver, which I left in trust with Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages of Maday (Media). 21 And fear not, my child, because we’re made poor. You have much wealth, if you fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight.”

5 Then Toviyah (Tobias) replied to him, “Father, I’ll do everything that you’ve commanded me. 2 But how could I receive the money, since I don’t know him?”

3 He gave him the handwriting, and said to him, “Seek a man who’ll go with you, and I’ll give him wages, while I still live; and go and receive the money.”

4 He went to seek a man, and found Refael (Raphael) who was an messenger from God 5 but he didn’t know it. He said to him, “Can I go with you to Rages in Maday (Media)? Do you know those places well?”

6 The messenger said to him, “I’ll go with you. I know the way well. I’ve lodged with our brother Gabael.”

7 Toviyah (Tobias) said to him, “Wait for me, and I’ll tell my father.”

8 / 8 He said to him, “Go, and don’t wait. And he went in and said to his father, “Listen, I’ve found someone who’ll go with me.”

But he said, “Call him to me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trustworthy man to go with you.”

9 So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another. 10 And Tovi (Tobit) said to him, “Brother, of what tribe and of what family are you? Tell me.”

11 He said to him, “Do you seek a tribe and a family, or a hired man which will go with your son?”

And Tovi said to him, “I want to know, brother, your kindred and your name.”

12 And he said, “I’m Azaryah, the son of Hananyah the great, of your kindred.”

13 And he said to him, “Welcome, brother. Don’t be angry with me, because I tried to get to know your tribe and family. You’re my brother, of an honest and good lineage; for I knew Hananyah and Jathan, the sons of Shemayah the great, when we went together to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of our increase; and they didn’t go astray in the error of our kindred. My brother, you’re of a great stock. 14 But tell me, what wages should I give you? A drachma a day, and whatever else you need, as to my son? 15 And moreover, if you both return safe and sound, I’ll add something to your wages.”

16 And so they agreed. And he said to Toviyah (Tobias), “Prepare yourself for the journey. May God prosper you.” So his son prepared what was needful for the journey, and his father said to him, “Go with this man; but God, who lives in heaven, will prosper your journey. May his messenger go with you.”

Then they both departed, and the young man’s dog went with them. 17 But Hanah his mother wept, and said to Tovi, “Why have you sent away our child? Isn’t he the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us? 18 Don’t be greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse compared to our child. 19 Because what the master has given us to live is enough for us.”

20 Tovi (Tobit) said to her, “Don’t worry, my sister. He’ll return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. 21 Because a good messenger will go with him. His journey will be prospered, and he’ll return safe and sound.”

22 So she stopped weeping.

6 Now as they went on their journey, they came at evening to the river Hidekel, and they lodged there. 2 But the young man went down to wash himself, and a fish leapt out of the river, and would have swallowed up the young man. 3 But the messenger said to him, “Grab the fish!”

So the young man grabbed the fish, and hauled it up onto the land.

4 And the messenger said to him, “Cut the fish open, and take the heart, the liver, and the bile, and keep them with you.” 5 / 5 And the young man did as the messenger commanded him; but they roasted the fish, and ate it. And they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ahmeta.

6 The young man said to the messenger, “Brother Azaryah, of what use is the heart, the liver, and the bile of the fish?”

7 He said to him, “About the heart and the liver: If a demon or an evil spirit troubles anyone, we must burn those and make smoke of them before the man or the woman, and the affliction will flee. 8 But as for the bile, it’s good to anoint a man that has white films in his eyes, and he’ll be healed.”

9 But when they drew near to Rages, 10 the messenger said to the young man, “Brother, today we’ll lodge with Re’uel. He’s your kinsman. He has an only daughter named Sarah. I’ll speak about her, that she should be given to you for a wife. 11 Because her inheritance belongs to you, and you only are of her kindred. 12 The maid is fair and wise. And now hear me, and I’ll speak to her father. When we return from Rages we’ll celebrate the marriage; for I know that Re’uel may in no way marry her to another according to Mosheh’s (Moses’) law, or else he’d be liable to death, because it belongs to you to take the inheritance, rather than any other.”

13 Then the young man said to the messenger, “Brother Azaryah, I’ve heard that this maid has been given to seven men, and that they all perished in the bridal room. 14 Now I’m my father’s only son, and I’m afraid that I might go in and die, just like those before me. Because a demon loves her, which harms no man, but those which come to her. Now I fear that I might die, and bring my father’s and my mother’s life to the grave with sorrow because of me. They have no other son to bury them.”

15 But the messenger said to him, “Don’t you remember the words which your father commanded you, that you should take a wife of your own kindred? Now hear me, brother; for she’ll be your wife. Don’t worry about the demon; for this night she’ll be given you as wife. 16 And when[fn] you come into the bridal room, take the ashes of incense, and put on them some of the heart and liver of the fish, and make smoke with them. 17 The demon will smell it, and flee away, and never come again any more. But when you go near to her, both of you rise up, and cry to God who’s merciful. He’ll save you, and have mercy on you. Don’t be afraid, for she was prepared for you from the beginning; and you’ll save her, and she’ll go with you. And I suppose that you’ll have children with her.”

When Toviyah (Tobias) heard these things, he loved her, and his soul was strongly joined to her.

7 They came to Ahmeta, and arrived at Re’uel’s house. But Sarah met them; and she greeted them, and they her. Then she brought them into the house. 2 Re’uel said to Edna his wife, “This young man really resembles Tovi (Tobit) my cousin!” 3 And Re’uel asked them, “Where are you two from, kindred?”

They said to him, “We’re of the sons of Naftali (Naphtali), who are captives in Nineveh.”

4 He said to them, “Do you know Tovi our brother?”

They said, “We know him.”

Then he said to them, “Is he in good health?”

5 They said, “He’s both alive, and in good health.” Toviyah (Tobias) said, “He’s my father.”

6 And Re’uel sprang up, and kissed him, wept, 7 blessed him, and said to him, “You’re the son of an honest and good man.” When he’d heard that Tovi had lost his sight, he was grieved, and wept; 8 / 8 / 8 and Edna his wife and Sarah his daughter wept. They received them gladly; and they killed a ram of the flock, and served them meat.

But Toviyah said to Refael (Raphael), “Brother Azaryah, speak of those things of which you talked about in the way, and let the matter be finished.”

9 So he communicated the thing to Re’uel. Re’uel said to Toviyah, “Eat, drink, and make merry: 10 for it belongs to you to take my child. However I’ll tell you the truth. 11 I’ve given my child to seven men of our relatives, and whenever they came in to her, they died in the night. But for the present be merry.”

And Toviyah said, “I won’t eat anything here, until you all make an agreement and enter into that covenant with me.”

12 Re’uel said, “Take her to yourself from now on according to custom. You’re her relative, and she’s yours. The merciful God will give all good success to you.” 13 And he called his daughter Sarah, and took her by the hand, and gave her to be wife of Toviyah, and said, “Listen, take her to yourself after Mosheh’s (Moses’) law, and lead her away to your father.” And he blessed them. 14 He called Edna his wife, then took a book, wrote a contract, and sealed it. 15 Then they began to eat.

16 And Re’uel called his wife Edna, and said to her, “Sister, prepare the other chamber, and bring her in there.” 17 She did as he asked her, and brought her in there. She wept, and she received the tears of her daughter, and said to her, 18 “Be comforted, my child. May the master of heaven and earth give you favour[fn] for this your sorrow. Be comforted, my daughter.”

8 When they’d finished their supper, they brought Toviyah in to her. 2 But as he went, he remembered Refael’s (Raphael’s) words, and took the ashes of the incense, and put the heart and the liver of the fish on them, and made smoke with them. 3 When the demon smelled that smell, it fled into the uppermost parts of Mitsrayim (Egypt), and the messenger bound him. 4 But after they were both shut in together, Toviyah rose up from the bed, and said, “Sister, arise, and let’s pray that the master may have mercy on us.” 5 And Toviyah began to say, “Blessed are you, Oh God of our fathers, and blessed is your holy and glorious name forever. Let the heavens bless you, and all your creatures. 6 You made Adam, and gave him Havah (Eve) his wife for a helper and support. From them came the seed of men. You said, it isn’t good that the man should be alone. Let’s make him a helper like him. 7 And now, Oh master, I take not this my sister for lust, but in truth. Command that I may find mercy and grow old with her.”

8 She said with him, “Amen.” And they both slept that night.

9 Re’uel arose, and went and dug a grave, 10 saying, “In case he should also die.” 11 And Re’uel came into his house, 12 and said to Edna his wife, “Send one of the female servants, and let them see if he’s alive. If not, we’ll bury him, and no man will know it.”

13 So the maidservant opened the door, and went in, and found them both sleeping, 14 and came out, and told them that he was alive.

15 Then Re’uel blessed God, saying, “Blessed are you, Oh God, with all pure and holy blessing! Let your saints bless you, and all your creatures! Let all your messengers and your elect bless you forever! 16 Blessed are you, because you’ve made me glad; and it hasn’t happened to me as I suspected; but you have dealt with us according to your great mercy. 17 Blessed are you, because you’ve had mercy on two that were the only begotten children of their parents. Show them mercy, Oh master. Fulfil their life in health with gladness and mercy.

18 He commanded his servants to fill the grave. 19 He kept the wedding feast for them fourteen days. 20 Before the days of the wedding feast were finished, Re’uel sware to him, that he shouldn’t depart till the fourteen days of the wedding feast were fulfilled; 21 and that then he should take half of his goods, and go in safety to his father; and the rest, he said, when my wife and I die.

9 And Toviyah (Tobias) called Refael (Raphael), and said to him, 2 “Brother Azaryah, take with you a servant and two camels, and go to Rages of Maday (Media) to Gabael, and receive the money for me, and bring him to the wedding feast, 3 because Re’uel has sworn that I mustn’t depart. 4 My father counts the days; and if I wait long, he’ll be very grieved. 5 So Refael went on his way, and lodged with Gabael, and gave him the handwriting; so he brought forth the bags with their seals, and gave them to him. 6 Then they rose up early in the morning together, and came to the wedding feast. Toviyah blessed his wife.

10 Tovi (Tobit) his father counted every day. When the days of the journey were expired, and they didn’t come, 2 he said, “Could he have been delayed?[fn] Or could Gabael have died, and there’s no one to give him the money?” 3 He was very grieved.

4 But his wife said to him, “The child has perished, seeing he waits long.” She began to bewail him, and said, 5 “I care about nothing,[fn] my child, since I’ve let you go, the light of my eyes.” 6 Tovi said to her, “Relax and stay calm. Don’t worry. He’s in good health.”

7 / 7 And she said to him, “Relax and stay calm! Don’t deceive me. My child has perished.” And she went out every day into the way by which they went, and ate no bread in the day-time, and didn’t stop bewailing her son Toviyah (Tobias) for whole nights, until the fourteen days of the wedding feast were expired, which Re’uel had sworn that he should spend there.

Then Toviyah said to Re’uel, “Send me away, for my father and my mother look no more to see me.” 8 But his father-in-law said to him, “Stay with me, and I’ll send to your father, and they’ll declare to him how things go with you.” 9 Toviyah said, “No. Send me away to my father.”

10 Re’uel arose, and gave him Sarah 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 will prosper you, my children, before I die.” 12 / 12 And he said to his daughter, “Honour your father-in-law and your mother-in-law. They’re now your parents. Let me hear a good report of you.” Then he kissed her.

Edna said to Toviyah, “May the master of heaven restore you, dear brother, and grant to me that I may see your children of my daughter Sarah, that I may rejoice before the master. Listen, I commit my daughter to you in special trust. Don’t cause her grief.

11 After these things Toviyah also went his way, blessing God because he’d prospered his journey; and he blessed Re’uel and his wife Edna. Then he went on his way until they drew near to Nineveh. 2 Refael (Raphael) said to Toviyah, “Don’t you know, brother, how you left your father? 3 Let’s run forward before your wife, and prepare the house. 4 But bring the fish’s gallbladder with you.” So they went their way, and the dog went after them.

5 Hanah sat looking around towards the path for her son. 6 She saw him coming, and said to his father, “Listen, your son is coming with the man that went with him!”

7 Refael said, “I know, Toviyah, that your father will open his eyes. 8 Therefore anoint his eyes with the bile, and being pricked with it, he’ll rub, and will make the white films fall away. Then he’ll see you.”

9 Hanah ran to him, and fell onto the neck of her son, and said to him, “I’ve seen you, my child! I’m ready to die.” They both wept.

10 Tovi (Tobit) went towards the door and stumbled; but his son ran to him, 11 and took hold of his father. He rubbed the bile on his father’s eyes, saying, “Cheer up, my father.” 12 When his eyes began to hurt, he rubbed them. 13 Then the white films peeled away from the corners of his eyes; and he saw his son, and fell onto his neck.

14 He wept, and said, “Blessed are you, Oh God, and blessed is your name forever! Blessed are all your holy messengers! 15 Because you scourged, and had mercy on me. Listen, I see my son Toviyah (Tobias).” And his son went in rejoicing, and told his father the great things that’d happened to him in Maday (Media).

16 Tovi went out to meet his daughter-in-law at Nineveh’s gate, rejoicing and blessing God. Those who saw him go marvelled, because he’d received his sight. 17 Tovi gave thanks before them, because God had shown mercy on him. When Tovi came near to Sarah his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, “Welcome, daughter! Blessed is God who’s brought you to us, and blessed are your father and your mother.” And there was joy among all his kindred who were at Nineveh. 18 Ahikar and Nasbas his brother’s son came. 19 Toviyah’ wedding feast was kept seven days with great gladness.

12 And Tovi called his son Toviyah, and said to him, “See, my child, that the man which went with you have his wages, and you must give him more.”

2 And he said to him, “Father, it’s no harm to me to give him the half of those things which I’ve brought; 3 for he’s led me for you in safety, and he cured my wife, and brought my money, and likewise cured you.”

4 The old man said, “It’s due to him.”

5 And he called the messenger, and said to him, “Take half of all that you’ve brought.”

6 Then he called them both privately, and said to them, “Bless God, and give him thanks, and magnify him, and give him thanks in the sight of all that live, for the things which he’s done with you. It’s good to bless God and exalt his name, showing forth with honour God’s works. Don’t be slack to give him thanks. 7 It’s good to conceal a king’s secret, but to reveal gloriously God’s works. Do good, and evil won’t find you. 8 Good is prayer with fasting, giving to the poor, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It’s better to give to the poor than to lay up gold. 9 Giving to the poor delivers from death, and it purges away all sin. Those who give to the poor and do righteousness will be filled with life; 10 but those who sin are enemies to their own life. 11 Surely I’ll conceal nothing from you. I’ve said, ‘It’s good to conceal a king’s secret, but to reveal gloriously God’s works.’ 12 And now, when you prayed, and Sarah your daughter-in-law, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the Holy One. When you buried the dead, I was with you likewise. 13 And when you didn’t delay to rise up, and leave your dinner, that you might go and cover the dead, your good deed wasn’t hidden from me. I was with you. 14 And now God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law. 15 I’m Refael (Raphael), one of the seven holy messengers which present the prayers of the saints and go in before the glory of the Holy One.”

16 And they were both troubled, and fell onto their faces; for they were afraid. 17 And he said to them, “Don’t be afraid. You’ll all have peace; but bless God forever. 18 Because I came not of any favour of my own, but by your god’s will. Therefore bless him forever. 19 All these days I appeared to you. I didn’t eat or drink, but you all saw a vision. 20 Now give God thanks, because I ascend to him who sent me. Write in a book all the things which have been done.” 21 Then they rose up, and saw him no more. 22 They confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the master’s messenger had appeared to them.

13 And Tovi (Tobit) wrote a prayer for rejoicing, and said,

“Blessed is God who lives forever!

Blessed is his kingdom!

2 Because he scourges, and shows mercy.

He leads down to the grave,[fn] and brings up again.

There’s no one who’ll escape his hand.

3 Give thanks to him before the Gentiles, all you Israeli people (Israel)!

Because he’s scattered us among them.

4 Declare his greatness, there.

Extol him before all the living,

because he’s our master,

and God is our Father forever.

5 He’ll scourge us for our iniquities, and will again show mercy,

and will gather us out of all the nations among whom you’re all scattered.

6 If you turn to him with your whole heart and with your whole soul,

to do truth before him,

then he’ll turn to you,

and won’t hide his face from you.

See what he’ll do with you.

Give him thanks with your whole mouth.

Bless the master of righteousness.

Exalt the eternal King.

I give him thanks in the land of my captivity,

and show his strength and majesty to a nation of sinners.

Turn, you sinners, and do righteousness before him.

Who can tell if he’ll accept you and have mercy on you?

7 I exalt my god.

My soul exalts the King of heaven,

and rejoices in his greatness.

8 Let all men speak,

and let them give him thanks in Yerushalem (Jerusalem).

9 Oh Yerushalem, the holy city,

he’ll scourge you for your sons’ works,

and will again have mercy on the sons of the righteous.

10 Give thanks to the master with goodness,

and bless the eternal King,

that his tabernacle may be built in you again with joy,

and that he may make glad in you those who are captives,

and love in you forever those who are miserable.

11 Many nations will come from afar to the name of the master God

with gifts in their hands, even gifts to the King of heaven.

Generations of generations will praise you,

and sing songs of rejoicing.

12 All those who hate you’re cursed.

All those who love you forever will be blessed.

13 Rejoice and be extremely glad for the sons of the righteous;

for they’ll be gathered together and will bless the master of the righteous.

14 Oh blessed are those who love you.

They’ll rejoice for your peace.

Blessed are all those who mourned for all your scourges;

because they’ll rejoice for you when they’ve seen all your glory.

They’ll be made glad forever.

15 Let my soul bless God the great King.

16 Because Yerushalem (Jerusalem) will be built with sapphires, emeralds, and precious stones;

your walls and towers and battlements with pure gold.

17 Yerushalem’s streets will be paved with beryl, carbuncle, and stones of Ofir.

18 All her streets will say, “Hallelujah!”

and give praise, saying, “Blessed be God, who’s exalted you forever!”

14 Then Tovi (Tobit) finished giving thanks. 2 He was fifty-eight years old when he lost his sight. After eight years, he received it again. He gave to the poor and he feared the master God more and more, and gave thanks to him.

3 Now he grew very old; and he called his son with the six sons of his son, and said to him, “My child, take your sons. Listen, I’ve grown old, and am ready to depart out of this life. 4 Go into Maday (Media), my child, for I surely believe all the things which Yonah (Jonah) the prophet spoke of Nineveh, that it’ll be overthrown, but in Maday there’ll rather be peace for a season. Our kindred will be scattered in the earth from the good land. Yerushalem (Jerusalem) will be desolate, and God’s house in it’ll be burnt up, and will be desolate for a time. 5 God will again have mercy on them, and bring them back into the land, and they’ll build the house, but not like to the former house, until the times of that age are fulfilled. Afterward they’ll return from the places of their captivity, and build up Yerushalem with honour. God’s house will be built in it forever with a glorious building, even as the prophets spoke about it. 6 And all the nations will turn to fear the master God truly, and will bury their idols. 7 All the nations will bless the master, and his people will give thanks to God, and the master will exalt his people; and all those who love the master God in truth and righteousness will rejoice, showing mercy to our kindred. 8 And now, my child, depart from Nineveh, because those things which the prophet Yonah spoke will surely happen. 9 But you must keep the law and the ordinances, and show yourself merciful and righteous, that it may be well with you. 10 Bury me decently, and your mother with me. Don’t stay at Nineveh. See, my child, what Aman did to Ahikar who nourished him, how out of light he brought him into darkness, and all the recompense that he made him. Ahikar was saved, but the other had his recompense, and he went down into darkness. Menasheh (Manasseh) gave to the poor, and escaped the snare of death which he set for him; but Aman fell into the snare, and perished. 11 And now, my children, consider what giving to the poor does, and how righteousness delivers.”

While he was saying these things, he gave up the ghost in the bed; but he was one hundred and fifty eight years old. Toviyah (Tobias) buried him magnificently.

12 When Hanah died, he buried her with his father. But Toviyah departed with his wife and his sons to Ahmeta to Re’uel his father-in-law, 13 and he grew old in honour, and he buried his father-in-law and mother-in-law magnificently, and he inherited their possessions, and his father Tovi’s (Tobit’s). 14 He died at Ahmeta of Maday (Media), being one hundred and twenty seven years old. 15 Before he died, he heard of the destruction of Nineveh, which Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) and Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus) took captive. Before his death, he rejoiced over Nineveh.