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.”