Tobit
Tob.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.
Tob.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