TOBIT
Tobit - 4QTob 196-200 in both Aramaic and Hebrew among the Dead Sea Scrolls in Cave IV of Qumran.
This is a historical and moral teaching. This is our heritage, our people. Anglo-Saxon Israel.
This book tells the story of Tobit, a righteous Israelite of the tribe of Naphtali, living in Nineveh after Sargon II had deported the northern tribes of Israel to Assyria in 721 BC. The first two and a half chapters are written in the first person. Tobit, raised by his paternal grandmother, Deborah, remains loyal to the worship of Yahweh at the temple in Jerusalem, refusing the cult of the golden calves that Jeroboam, king of Northern Israel, set up at Dan. He is particularly noted for his diligence in attempting to provide proper burials for fallen Israelites whom Sargon's successor, Sennacherib, has slain. For this behavior the king seizes his property and exiles him. After Sennacherib's death, Tobit is allowed to return to Nineveh, where he buries a man who has been murdered on the street. That night, he sleeps in the open and is blinded by bird droppings which fall into his eyes. The blindness caused by this injury strains his marriage and, ultimately, he prays for death.
The name itself is noted, for example, in 2 Chronicles 17:8, Ezra 2:60, Nehemiah 2:10, Tobit 1:9, and Zechariah 6:10.
To follow along with a 3 show audio narration by Pastor Steve: https://www.pastor-steve.com/apocrypha-2/
Septuagint version of Tobit.
The (italicized) parenthesis are from the RSV OT Apocrypha and the NRSV.
Tobiah means 'Yahweh is my good'.
The Piety of Tobit (Tobias the Father)
Tobit 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 (descendants) of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali (Naphtali);
1:2 Who in the time of Enemessar (Shalmanesser) 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 (Ashur).
1:3 I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice (righteousness), and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.
1:4 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 (deserted) 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 (generations).
1:5 Now all the tribes which together revolted (joined in apostasy), and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.
1:6 But I alone went often to Jerusalem at (for) 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.
Today we offer spiritual sacrifice. Obedience and allegiance.
1:7 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:
1:8 And the third (tenth part) I gave unto them to whom it was meet (my duty), as Debora my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.
1:9 Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.
1:10 And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread (meat, food) of the Gentiles (nations).
1:11 But I kept myself from eating;
1:12 Because I remembered God with all my heart.
1:13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor (buyer of provisions).
1:14 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.
1:15 Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled (and under him the highways were unsafe), that I could not go into Media.
1:16 And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,
1:17 And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation (people) dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.
1:18 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.
1:19 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.
1:20 Then all my goods (property) were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.
1:21 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 (Esarhaddon) his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs (administration), Achiacharus my brother Anael's son. (2Ki 19:37)
1:22 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 (second) unto him: and he was my brother's son.
Tobit (Tobias the Father) Buries the Dead
Tobit 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.
2:2 And when I saw abundance of meat (food), I said to my son, Go and bring what poor man soever you shalt find out of our brethren, who is mindful of Yahweh; and, lo, I tarry for you.
2:3 But he came again (back), and said, Father, one of our nation (people) is strangled, and is cast out in the marketplace.
2:4 Then before I had tasted of any meat, I started up, and took him (the body) up into a room until the going down of the sun.
2:5 Then I returned, and washed myself, and ate my meat (food) in heaviness,
2:6 Remembering that prophecy of Amos, as he said, Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your mirth into lamentation.
Amos 8:10 And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
2:7 Therefore I wept: and after the going down of the sun I went and made a grave, and buried him.
2:8 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.
2:9 The same night also I returned from the burial (, and because I was defiled), and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted and my face was uncovered (because of the heat):
2:10 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 (white film) 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.
2:11 And my wife Anna did take women's works to do.
2:12 And when she had sent them (the product) home to the owners, they paid her wages, and gave her also besides a kid (young goat for a meal).
2:13 And when it (young goat) was in my house, and began to cry (bleat), 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.
2:14 But she replied upon me, It was given for a gift more than (in addition to) the wages. Howbeit I did not believe her, but bade her render it to the owners: and I was abashed at (blushed for) her. But she replied upon me, Where are your alms and your righteous deeds? behold, you and all your works are known.
Tobit (Tobias the Father) Prays for Death
Tobit 3:1 Then I being grieved did weep, and in my sorrow prayed, saying,
3:2 O Yahweh, You art just (righteous), and all Your works and all Your ways are mercy and truth, and You judgest truly and justly for ever.
3:3 Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorances (tunwitting offences), and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before You:
3:4 For they obeyed not Your commandments: wherefore You hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, (and plunder) and unto death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed.
3:5 And now Your judgments are many and true: deal with me according to my sins and my fathers': because we have not kept Your commandments, neither have walked in truth before You.
3:6 Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto You, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved, and become earth (dust): 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 Your face away from me.
3:7 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;
3:8 Because that she had been married (given) to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit (demon) had killed, before they had lain with her. Dost you not know, said they, that you hast strangled your husbands? you hast had already seven husbands, neither wast you named after any of them.
She was still a virgin.
3:9 Wherefore dost you beat us for them? if they be dead, go your ways after them, let us never see of you either son or daughter.
3:10 When she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled (hang) herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach (disgrace) unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave.
3:11 Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Blessed art You, O Yahweh my God, and Your holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever: let all Your works praise You for ever.
3:12 And now, O Yahweh, I set I mine eyes and my face toward You,
3:13 And say, Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no more the reproach.
3:14 You knowest, Yahweh, that I am pure (innocent) from all sin with man,
3:15 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 You that I should die, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, that I hear no more reproach.
3:16 So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God.
3:17 And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness (white films) 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 (demon); because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance (because Tobias was entitled to possess her). The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.
Tobit (Tobias the Father) counsels Tobias his son
Tobit 4:1 In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media,
4:2 And said with himself, I have wished for death; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify (explain) to him of (about) the money before I die?
4:3 And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am dead, bury me; and despise not your mother, but honour her all the days of your life, and do that which shall please her, and grieve her not.
4:4 Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for you, when you wast in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave.
4:5 My son, be mindful of Yahweh our God all your days, and let not your will be set to sin, or to transgress His commandments: do uprightly all your life long, and follow not the ways of unrighteousness.
4:6 For if you deal truly, your doings shall prosperously succeed to you, and to all them that live justly.
4:7 Give alms of your substance (to all who live uprightly); and when you givest alms, let not your eye be envious, neither turn your face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from you.
Luke 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
4:8 If you hast abundance give alms accordingly: if you have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little:
4:9 For you layest up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity.
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
4:10 Because that alms (charity) do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness.
4:11 For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High.
4:12 Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed (descendants) of your fathers, and take not a strange (foreign) woman (racial alien) to wife, which is not of your 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 (posterity) shall inherit the land.
4:13 Now therefore, my son, love your brethren, and despise not in your heart your brethren, the sons and daughters of your people, in not taking a wife of (from among) them: for in pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want: for lewdness is the mother of famine.
4:14 Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for you, tarry with you, but give him it out of hand: for if you serve God, He will also repay you: be circumspect my son, in all things you doest, and be wise in all your conversation.
4:15 Do that to no man which you hatest: drink not wine (to excess) to make you drunken: neither let drunkenness go with you in your journey.
4:16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked; and according to your abundance give alms: and let not your eye be envious, when you givest alms.
4:17 Pour out your bread on the burial (grave) of the just (righteous), but give nothing to the wicked (sinners).
4:18 Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable.
4:19 Bless Yahweh your God alway (on every occasion), and desire of Him that your ways may be directed, and that all your paths and counsels (plans) may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel (For none of the nations has understanding); but Yahweh 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 your mind.
4:20 And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.
4:21 And fear not, my son, that we are made (have become) poor: for you hast much wealth, if you fear God, and depart (refrain) from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in His sight.
Young Tobias asks his Father's advice
Tobit 5:1 Tobias then answered and said, Father, I will do all things which you hast commanded me:
5:2 But how can I receive (obtain) the money, seeing I know him not? (I do not know the roads to Media or how to get there.)
5:3 Then he gave him the handwriting (receipt), and said unto him, Seek you a man which may go with you, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages: and go and receive the money.
5:4 Therefore when he went to seek a man (to go with him to Media), he found Raphael that was an angel (a messenger).
5:5 But he knew not (he did not perceive that Raphael was a messenger from Elohiym); and he said unto him, Canst you go with me to Rages? and knowest you those places (the region) well?
(Tobias said to him 'Where do you come from young man?' From your kindred the Israelites he replied, and I have come here to work. Then Tobias asks 'Do you know the way to Media?' Yes, he replied, I have been there many times and am acquainted with it and all the roads, I have often travelled to media and would stay with our kinsmen Gabael who lives in Rages, it is a journey of two days )
5:6 To whom the angel (messenger) said, I will go with you, and I know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.
5:7 Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father.
5:8 Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not (do not delay). So he went in and said to his father, Behold, I have found one (who is of our own Israelite kindred) 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 you.
5:9 So he called him (and said 'Young man, my father is calling for you'), and he came in, and they saluted one another.
(But Tobit retorted, 'What joy is left for me anymore, I am a man without eyesight I cannot see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light, all those still alive, I am among the dead, I hear people, but I cannot see them.' But the young man said 'Take courage, the time is near for Elohiym to heal you, take courage.' Then Tobit says to him, 'My son Tobias wishes to go to Media, can you accompany him and guide him, I will pay your wages brother.' And he answered 'I can go with him and I know it's roads, for I have often gone to Media and crossed all it's plains and am familiar with it's mountains.')
5:10 Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what tribe and family you art.
5:11 To whom he said, Dost you seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with your son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, your kindred and name.
5:12 Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of your brethren (relatives).
5:13 Then Tobit said, You art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know your tribe and your family; for you 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, you art of a good stock.
5:14 But tell me, what wages shall I give you? wilt you a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?
5:15 Yea, moreover, if you return safe, I will add something to your wages.
5:16 So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare yourself 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 you with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven (the sky), prosper your journey, and the angel (messenger) of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man's dog with them.
5:17 But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast you sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?
5:18 Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as refuse in respect of our child.
5:19 For that which Yahweh hath given us to live with doth suffice us.
5:20 Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and your eyes shall see him.
5:21 For the good angel (messenger) will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.
5:22 Then she made an end of weeping.
Young Tobias the Son Catches a Fish
Tobit 6:1 And as they went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river Tigris, and they lodged there.
6:2 And when the young man went down to wash himself, a fish leaped out of the river, and would have devoured him.
6:3 Then the angel (messenger) said unto him, Take the fish (and hold on to it). And the young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land.
6:4 To whom the angel (messenger) said, Open the fish, and take the heart and the liver and the gall, and put them up safely. (for they are useful for medicine)
6:5 So the young man did as the angel (messenger) commanded him; and when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it: (and kept some to be salted- preserved) then they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatane.
6:6 Then the young man said to the angel (messenger), Brother Azarias, to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish?
6:7 And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must (burn them to) make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the party shall be no more vexed.
6:8 As for the gall, it is good to anoint a man that hath whiteness (white films) in his eyes, and he shall be healed.
6:9 And when they were come near to Rages,
6:10 The angel (messenger) said to the young man, Brother, to day we shall lodge with Raguel, who is your cousin (relative); he also hath one only daughter, named Sara; I will speak for her, that she may be given you for a wife.
6:11 For to you doth the right of her appertain (because you are entitled to her and to her inheritance), seeing you only art of her (eligible) kindred.
6:12 And the maid is fair and wise (beautiful and sensible): 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 you than to any other. (And when we return from Rages we will take her and bring her back with us to your house.)
6:13 Then the young man answered the angel (messenger), I have heard, brother Azarias that this maid hath been given to seven men, who all died in the marriage chamber. (On the night when they went into her they would die, I have heard people saying it was a demon that killed them. It does not harm her, but kills anyone who desires to approche her.)
6:14 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.
6:15 Then the angel (messenger) said unto him, Dost you not remember the precepts which your father gave you, that you shouldest marry a wife of your own kindred? wherefore hear me, O my brother; for she shall be given you to wife; and make you no reckoning of the evil spirit; for this same night shall she be given you in marriage.
6:16 And when you shalt come into the marriage chamber, you 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:
6:17 And the devil shall smell it, and flee away, and never come again any more: but when you 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 you from the beginning (before the world was made); and you shalt preserve her, and she shall go with you. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear you children. Now when Tobias had heard these things, (and learned that she was a kinsman related to his father's lineage) he loved her, and his heart was effectually joined to her.
Raguel, Sara's Father, Receives Tobias and the messenger of Elohiym.
Tobit 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.
7:2 Then said Raguel to Edna his wife, How like is this young man to Tobit my cousin!
7:3 And Raguel asked them, From whence are you, brethren? To whom they said, We are of the sons of Nephthalim, which are captives in Nineve.
7:4 Then he said to them, Do you know Tobit our kinsman? And they said, We know him. Then said he, Is he in good health?
7:5 And they said, He is both alive, and in good health: and Tobias said, He is my father.
7:6 Then Raguel leaped up, and kissed him, and wept,
7:7 And blessed him, and said unto him, You art the son of an honest and good man. But when he had heard that Tobit was blind, he was sorrowful, and wept.
7:8 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 you didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched (matter be settled).
7:9 So he communicated the matter with Raguel: and Raguel said to Tobias, Eat and drink, and make merry:
7:10 For it is meet that you shouldest marry my daughter: nevertheless I will declare unto you the truth.
7:11 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.
7:12 Raguel said, Then take her from henceforth according to the manner, for you art her cousin (relative), and she is your, and the merciful God give you good success in all things.
7:13 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 your father. And he blessed them;
7:14 And called Edna his wife, and took paper, and did write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it. (marriage contract)
7:15 Then they began to eat.
7:16 After Raguel called his wife Edna, and said unto her, Sister, prepare another chamber, and bring her in thither.
7:17 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,
7:18 Be of good comfort, my daughter; Yahweh of heaven (the sky) and earth (the land) give you joy for this your sorrow: be of good comfort, my daughter.
Raphael Binds the Devil
Tobit 8:1 And when they had supped, they brought Tobias in unto her.
8:2 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.
8:3 The which smell when the evil spirit (demon) had smelled, he fled into the utmost parts of Egypt, and the angel (messenger) bound him.
8:4 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.
8:5 Then began Tobias to say, Blessed art You, O God of our fathers, and blessed is Your holy and glorious name for ever; let the heavens (skies) bless You, and all Your creatures (creations).
8:6 You madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay: of them came mankind: You hast said, It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself.
8:7 And now, O Yahweh, I take not this my sister for lush but uprightly: therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together.
8:8 And she said with him, Amen.
8:9 So they slept both that night. And Raguel arose, and went and made a grave,
8:10 Saying, I fear lest he also be dead.
8:11 But when Raguel was come into his house,
8:12 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.
8:13 So the maid opened the door, and went in, and found them both asleep,
8:14 And came forth, and told them that he was alive.
8:15 Then Raguel praised God, and said, O God, You art worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise; therefore let Your saints praise You with all Your creatures (creations); and let all Your angels (messengers) and Your elect (Chosen ones) praise You for ever.
8:16 You art to be praised, for You hast made me joyful; and that is not come to me which I suspected; but You hast dealt with us according to Your great mercy.
8:17 You art to be praised because You hast had mercy of two that were the only begotten children of their fathers: grant them mercy, O Yahweh, and finish their life in health with joy and mercy.
8:18 Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave.
8:19 And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days. (He asked his wife to bake many loaves of bread, and he went out to the herd and brought two steers and four rams and ordered them to be slaughtered.)
8:20 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; (and shall stay here eating an drinking with me, and shall cheer up my daughter who has been depressed.)
8:21 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.
Tobias sends Raphael to Gabelus
Tobit 9:1 Then Tobias called Raphael, and said unto him,
9:2 Brother Azarias, take with you a servant (four servants), and two camels, and go to Rages of Media to Gabael, (give him the bond), and bring me the money, and bring him to the wedding.
9:3 For Raguel hath sworn that I shall not depart.
9:4 But my father counteth the days; and if I tarry long, he will be very sorry (greatly distressed). (You are witness to the oath Raguel has sworn, and I cannot violate his oath.)
9:5 So Raphael went out (with the four servants and two camels and went to Rages in Media), and lodged with Gabael, and gave him the handwriting (the bond and informed him that Tobit's son Tobias had married and was inviting him to the wedding celebration): who brought forth bags which were sealed up, and gave them to him. (So Gabael got up and counted out o him the money bags, with their seals intact; then they loaded them ont the camels.)
9:6 And early in the morning they went forth both together, and came to the wedding: (When they came into Raguel's house they found Tobias reclining at the table. He sprang up and greeted Gabael, who wept and blessed him with the words, “Good and noble son of a father good and noble, upright and generous? May Yahweh grant the blessing of the sky to you and your wife, and to your wife's father and mother. Blessed be Elohiym, for I see in Tobias the very image of my cousin Tobit) and Tobias blessed his wife.
Absence of Tobias Mourned by his Parents
Tobit 10:1 Now Tobit his father counted every day: and when the days of the journey were expired, and they came not,
10:2 Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead, and there is no man to give him the money?
10:3 Therefore he was very sorry.
10:4 Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead (and no longer among the living), seeing he stayeth long; and she began to wail him, and said,
10:5 Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let you go, the light of mine eyes.
10:6 To whom Tobit said, Hold your peace, take no care, for he is safe. (Probably something unexpected has happened there. The man who went with him is trusworthy and is one of our own kin. Do not grieve for him, my dear, he will soon be here.)
10:7 But she said, Hold your 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,
10:8 Let me go, for my father and my mother look no more to see me.
10:9 But his father in law said unto him, Tarry with me, and I will send to your father, and they shall declare unto him how things go with you.
10:10 But Tobias said, No; but let me go to my father.
10:11 Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money:
10:12 And he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, The God of heaven (the sky) give you a prosperous journey, my children.
10:13 And he said to his daughter, Honour your father and your mother in law, which are now your parents, that I may hear good report of you. And he kissed her. Edna also said to Tobias, Yahweh of heaven (the sky) restore you, my dear brother, and grant that I may see your children of my daughter Sara before I die, that I may rejoice before Yahweh: behold, I commit my daughter unto you of special trust; where are do not entreat her evil. (Go in peace, my child. From now on I am your mother and Sarah is your beloved wife. May we all prosper together all the days of our lives. Then she kissed them both and saw them safely off. Tobias parted from Raguel with happiness and joy, praising Yahweh of the sky and the land, king over all, because He had made his journey a success. Finally, he blessed Raguel and his wife Edna and said, 'I have been commanded by Yahweh to honor you all the days of my life.')
Raphael's Instructions to Cure the Father
Tobit 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. (When they came near to Kaserin, which is opposite Nineveh,)
11:2 Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother, how you didst leave your father:
11:3 Let us haste before your wife, and prepare the house (while they are still on the way. As they went on together Raphael said to him,).
11:4 And take in your hand (have ready) the gall of the fish. So they went their way, and the dog went after them.
11:5 Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son.
11:6 And when she espied him coming, she said to his father, Behold, your son cometh, and the man that went with him.
11:7 Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that your father will open his eyes.
11:8 Therefore anoint you his eyes with the gall, and being pricked therewith, he shall rub, and the whiteness shall fall away, and he shall see you.
11:9 Then Anna ran forth, and fell upon the neck of her son, and said unto him, Seeing I have seen you, my son, from henceforth I am content to die. And they wept both.
11:10 Tobit also went forth toward the door, and stumbled: but his son ran unto him,
11:11 And took hold of his father: and he strake of the gall on his fathers' eyes, saying, Be of good hope, my father.
11:12 And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them;
11:13 And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his eyes: and when he saw his son, he fell upon his neck. (and wept and said to him, 'I see you, my son, the light of my eyes!')
11:14 And he wept, and said, Blessed art You, O God, and blessed is Your name for ever; and blessed are all Your holy angels (messengers): (May His holy name be blessed throughout all the ages.)
11:15 For You hast scourged, and hast taken pity on me: for, behold, I see my son Tobias. And his son went in rejoicing, (and praising God at the top of his voice,) and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media (that his journey had been successful, that he had brought the money, that he had married Raguel's daughter Sarah, and that she was, indeed, on her way there, very near to the gate of Nineveh).
11:16 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, (walking along in full vigor and with no one leading him) because he had received his sight.
11:17 But Tobias gave thanks before them, because God had mercy on him (and had restored his sight). And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law, he blessed her, saying, (Come in now to your home, and welcome, with blessing and joy.) You art welcome, daughter: God be blessed, which hath brought you unto us, and blessed be your father and your mother. And there was joy among all his brethren which were at Nineve.
11:18 And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his brother's son, came:
11:19 And Tobias' wedding was kept seven days with great joy.
Father and Son offer Gifts to Raphael
Tobit 12:1 Then Tobit called his son Tobias, and said unto him, My son, see that the man have his wages, which went with you, and you must give him more (a bonus as well).
12:2 And Tobias said unto him, O father, it is no harm to me to give him half of those things which I have brought:
12:3 For he hath brought me again to you in safety, and made whole my wife, and brought me the money, and likewise healed you (, How much extra shall I give him as a bonus?).
12:4 Then the old man said, It is due unto him (He deserves, my child, to receive half of all that he brought back.).
12:5 So he called the angel (messenger), and he said unto him, Take half of all that you have brought and go away in safety.
12:6 Then he (Raphael) 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.
12:7 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.
12:8 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:
12:9 For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life:
12:10 But they that sin are enemies to their own life.
12:11 Surely I will keep close (conceal) 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.
12:12 Now therefore, when you didst pray, and Sara your daughter in law, I did bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One: and when you didst bury the dead, I was with you likewise.
12:13 And when you didst not delay to rise up, and leave your dinner, to go and cover the dead, your good deed was not hid from me: but I was with you.
12:14 And now God hath sent me to heal you and Sara your daughter in law.
12:15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels (messengers), which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy (Set Apart) One.
12:16 Then they were both troubled, and fell upon their faces: for they feared.
12:17 But he said unto them, Fear not, for it shall go well with you; praise God therefore.
12:18 For not of any favour of mine, but by the will of our God I came; wherefore praise Him for ever.
12:19 All these days I did appear unto you; but I did neither eat nor drink, but you did see a vision.
12:20 Now (get up from the ground and) therefore give God thanks: for I go up to Him that sent me; but write all things which are done in a book.
12:21 And when they arose, they saw him no more.
12:22 Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the angel (messenger) of Yahweh had appeared unto them.
Thanksgiving Canticle of Tobit (the Elder Tobias)
Tobit 13:1 Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said, Blessed be God that liveth for ever, and blessed be His kingdom.
13:2 For He doth scourge, and hath mercy: He leadeth down to hell (the grave, land of the dead), and bringeth up again: neither is there any that can avoid His hand.
13:3 Confess Him before the Gentiles (nations), you children of Israel: for He hath scattered us among them.
13:4 There declare His greatness, and extol Him before all the living: for He is our Master, and He is the God our Father for ever.
13:5 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.
13:6 If you 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 Yahweh 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 you sinners, turn and do justice before Him: who can tell if He will accept you, and have mercy on you?
13:7 I will extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King of heaven (the sky), and shall rejoice in His greatness.
13:8 Let all men speak, and let all praise Him for His righteousness.
13:9 O Jerusalem, the holy city, He will scourge you for your children's works, and will have mercy again on the sons of the righteous.
13:10 Give praise to Yahweh, for He is good: and praise the everlasting King, that His tabernacle may be builded in you again with joy, and let Him make joyful there in you those that are captives, and love in you for ever those that are miserable.
13:11 (A bright light will shine to all the ends of the land.) Many nations shall come from far to the name of Yahweh God with gifts in their hands, even gifts to the King of heaven (the sky); all generations shall praise You with great joy (, the name of the chosen city will endure forever.)
The chosen city is Jerusalem. Jerusalem, not the Jewish viper den sandbox, but the people Jerusalem, (Anglo-Saxon true Israel).
13:12 Cursed are all they which hate you (, which speak a harsh word against you) (, cursed are all who conquer you, and pull down your walls, all who overthrow your towers and set your homes on fire ), and blessed shall all be which love (revere) you for ever.
13:13 Rejoice and be glad for the children of the just (righteous): for they shall be gathered together, and shall bless Yahweh of the just.
13:14 O blessed are they which love you, for they shall rejoice in your peace: blessed are they which have been sorrowful for all your scourges; for they shall rejoice for you, when they have seen all your glory, and shall be glad for ever.
Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the land be blessed.
13:15 Let my soul bless God the great King.
13:16 For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds, and precious stone: Your walls and towers and battlements with pure gold.
13:17 And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir.
13:18 And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they shall praise Him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it for ever.
Last Words and Death of Tobit (the Elder Tobias)
Tobit 14:1 So Tobit made an end of praising God.
14:2 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 Yahweh God, and praised Him.
NRSV: 2 Tobit died in peace when he was one hundred twelve years old, and was buried with great honor in Nineveh. He was sixty-two years old when he lost his eyesight, and after regaining it he lived in prosperity, giving alms and continually blessing God and acknowledging God’s majesty.
14:3 And when he was very aged he called his son, and the sons of his son, and said to him, My son, take your children; for, behold, I am aged, and am ready to depart out of this life.
14:4 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; (Indeed, everything that was spoken by the prophets of Israel, whom God sent, will occur. None of all their words will fail, but all will come true at their appointed times. So it will be safer in Media than in Assyria and Babylon. For I know and believe that whatever God has said will be fulfilled and will come true; not a single word of the prophecies will fail.) and that our brethren (kindred) shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: (even Samaria) and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;
14:5 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.
14:6 And all nations shall turn, and fear Yahweh God truly, and shall bury their idols (which deceitfully have led them into their error).
14:7 So shall all (in righteousness the) nations praise Yahweh, and His people shall confess God, and Yahweh shall exalt His people; and all those which love Yahweh God in truth and justice shall rejoice, shewing mercy to our brethren.
14:8 And now, my son, depart out of Nineve, because that those things which the prophet Jonas spake shall surely come to pass.
14:9 But keep you the law and the commandments, and shew yourself merciful and just, that it may go well with you.
14:10 And bury me decently, and your 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.
14:11 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.
14:12 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,
14:13 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.
14:14 And he died at Ecbatane in Media, being an hundred and seven and twenty years old.
14:15 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.
