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The Book of Tobit (Tobias)

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 1 -

Tobias’s early piety: his works of mercy, particularly in burying the dead.

1
The book of the words of Tobit, the son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali;
2
who in the days of Enemessar(a) king of the Assyrians was carried away captive out of Thisbe, which is on the right hand of Kedesh Naphtali in Galilee above Asher.
3
I, Tobit walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life, and I did many alms deeds 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 Israel, while I was yet young, all the tribe of Naphtali my father fell away from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, and the temple of the habitation of the Most High was hallowed and built therein for all ages.
5
All the tribes which fell away together sacrificed to the heifer Baal, and so did the house of Naphtali my father.
6
I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it has been ordained to all Israel by an everlasting 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 Aaron.
7
I gave a tenth part of all my increase to the sons of Levi, who ministered at Jerusalem. A second tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it each year at Jerusalem.
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 Anna of the seed of our own family. With her, I became the father of 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 favor(b) in the sight of Enemessar, and I was his purchasing agent.
14
And I went into Media, and left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages of Media.
15
And when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his place. In his time, the highways were troubled,(c) and I could no longer go into Media.
16
In the days of Enemessar, I did many alms deeds to my kindred: I gave my bread to the hungry,
17
and my garments to the naked. If I saw any of my race dead, and thrown out on(d) the wall of Ninevah, I buried him.
18
If Sennacherib the king killed any, when he came fleeing from Judea, I buried them privately; for in his wrath he killed many; and the bodies were sought for by the king, and were not found.
19
But one of the Ninevites went and showed to the king concerning me, how I buried them, and hid myself; and when I knew that I was sought 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 Anna and my son Tobias.
21
No more than fifty five days passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. And Sarchedonus(e) his son reigned in his place; and he appointed Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son over all the accounts of his kingdom, and over all his affairs.
22
Achiacharus requested me, and I came to Nineveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, steward, and overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus appointed him next to himself, but he was my brother’s son.

Footnotes

(a)1:2 That is, Shalmaneser.Compare 2 Kings 17:3 23.
(b)1:13 Gr. beauty.
(c)1:15 Gr. his highways were troubled.
(d)1:17 Some ancient authorities read behind.
(e)1:21 That is, Esar-haddon,and so in verse 22.

Tobias’s early piety: his works of mercy, particularly in burying the dead.

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.
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