Tobit · NETS

TOBIT
TO THE READER

EDITION OF THE GREEK TEXTS

The present translations have been based on the critical edition of Robert Hanhart (Septuaginta: Vetus Testamentum Graecum Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII.5: Tobit [Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht; 1983]). In my translations I have differed from the readings in Hanhart’s edition in only a few cases (and only in G^II [see below]) and have adopted another reading on the basis of Greek manuscript evidence. See, for example, 1.2, where I omit Hanhart’s reading “road” , because Codex Sinaiticus does not contain it. In 2.6, I retain “ways” , the reading of Sinaiticus; Hanhart (following the conjecture of Rahlfs and Fritzsche) adopts the reading “songs” and refers to Amos 8.10. In 6.11, I follow MS 319, a reading supported also in 4QpapTobit^b,¹ “he has a beautiful daughter whose name is Sarra”; Hanhart omits “beautiful.”

THE TWO GREEK VERSIONS

Attestation

There are two complete versions of the book of Tobit in Greek. Robert Hanhart, the editor, calls these versions Greek I (= G^I), the shorter text form, and Greek II (= G^II), the longer form (by about 1700 words). Almost all major manuscripts—Vaticanus, Alexandrinus, Venetus, Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1594² (= Ra[hlfs] 990) and most cursive manuscripts—contain G^I of Tobit, which Hanhart prints at the top of the page of his Göttingen edition with its apparatus underneath.

Unfortunately, GII is found relatively intact only in Codex Sinaiticus and partially (from 3.6 to the word in 6.16) in cursive manuscript 319, which, however, gives G^I from 1.1 to 3.5 and from 6.16 to 14.15. Sinaiticus contains many copyist’s errors and has two significant lacunae (4.7–18 and 13.7–9). A tiny portion of G^II is preserved also in sixth-century Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1076³ (= Ra[hlfs] 910), containing 2.2–5, 8. Hanhart prints G^II at the bottom of the page with an apparatus, which includes readings from 319 and 910 as well as the critically important Old Latin manuscripts (= La). The Old Latin, which contains the entire book of Tobit, is important, for it was translated from a text-form very close to the version found in Sinaiticus.

Priority

Curiously, in the introduction to his critical edition, Hanhart notes in passing that up to his day the question of the priority between G^I and G^II could not be answered with certainty.⁴ In his later study of the text and textual history of Tobit, however, Hanhart is more nuanced; while noting that a case could be made for the priority of either GI or GII, he favors the judgment that G^I is a reworking of G^II.⁵ Since earlier scholars up to the nineteenth century preferred G^I to G^II, the King James Version (1611) and Revised Standard Version (1957) were translated from G^I. In the opinion of the vast majority of scholars today, however, GII with its highly Semitic coloring represents more accurately the original form of the book. In fact, the Cave IV fragmentary texts of Tobit from Qumran (four in Aramaic, 4QTob^a–d ar, and one in Hebrew, 4QTob^e) “agree in general with the long version of the book found in the fourth-century Greek text of Codex Sinaiticus.”⁶

Thus, the priority of G^II seems beyond question. Accordingly, the most recent translations of Tobit are based on G^II: Jerusalem Bible (1966), New American Bible (1970), New English Bible (1970), Good News Bible, also known as Today’s English Version (1979), New Jerusalem Bible (1985), Revised English Bible (1989), New Revised Standard Version (1989), and the translation by Carey A. Moore in the Anchor Bible.⁷ Oddly enough, however, despite the evidence of Qumran, Paul Deselaers⁸ and Heinrich Gross⁹ continue to defend the priority of G^I over G^II.

Internal evidence also favors G^II as the basis of G^I; see, for example, 2.3 where one would be hard put to imagine how the fourteen Greek words of GI (“And he came and said, ‘Father, one of our race has been strangled and thrown into the marketplace.’ ”) could possibly have been the source of the thirty-nine Greek words found in G^II (“So Tobias went to seek some poor person of our kindred. And on his return he said, ‘Father!’ And I said, ‘Here I am, my child.’ Then in reply he said, ‘Father, behold, one of our people has been murdered and thrown into the marketplace and now lies strangled there.’ ”). One can readily see how the translator of G^I has condensed the narrative and the dialogue between Tobias and Tobit. In contrast, G^II provides the expected Semitic narrative framework as well as the back and forth dialogue of son and father.

A more dramatic example is 5.10 where G^I has only eight Greek words: “Then he called him, and he went in, and they greeted each other.” It is extremely unlikely that these eight words could have been the origin of the 149 words in G^II in which in detailed (typically biblical) fashion Tobit tells the angel Raphael (in disguise as a relative, Azarias) the anguish he experiences because of his blindness and the need he has for a reliable guide to accompany his son Tobias into Media: “Then Tobias went out and called him and said to him, ‘Young man, my father is calling you.’ So he went in to him, and Tobith greeted him first. And he said to him, ‘Many joyful greetings to you!’ But in reply Tobith said to him, ‘What is there for me still to be joyful about? Now I am a man with no power in my eyes, and I do not see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer look at the light. Living, I am among the dead. I hear the voice of people, but I do not see them.’ So he said to him, ‘Take courage; the time is near for God to heal you; take courage.’ Then Tobith said to him, ‘Tobias my son wishes to go into Media. Can you go along with him and lead him? And I will give to you your wages, brother.’ And he said to him, ‘I can go with him; indeed, I know all the roads. Also I went into Media many times, and I crossed all its plains, and I know its mountains and all its roads.’ ”

A close examination of chapter 9 in G^I and G^II provides further convincing evidence that the former is condensed from the latter. The text of G^I, which omits many narrative elements, fails to convey the drama and tension found in the much more detailed form of the story in G^II.

By reading the translations of G^I and G^II synoptically, the reader will see many other instances where G^I condenses G^II or omits the G^II repetitions that are a hallmark of biblical narrative. Perhaps the translator of G^I was writing for a more sophisticated Greek-speaking audience for whom the Semitic-type repetitions and extended dialogues could seem otiose or stylistically less elegant.

A Third Version

A third version exists in cursive manuscripts 106–107 (= d) that Hanhart calls Greek III (= G^III); it preserves the text of only 6.9–12.22. Hanhart describes G^III as a secondary text-form fundamentally related to G^II;¹⁰ accordingly, he includes its variants in the apparatus of G^II. It should be noted that 106–107 give the G^I form of the text from 1.1 to 6.8 and again from 13.1 to 14.15.

APPROACH TO THE GREEK TEXT

Synoptic Rendering

In accord with the general principles of NETS concerning books that have two Greek forms, I have rendered the exact synoptic parallels between the two versions of Tobit in the same way. These synoptic parallels within their contexts provide a further opportunity for the reader to see how G^I was indeed based upon G^II and not the other way around. In any case, I hope that the reader will be able to follow more easily, with the aid of my translations, the two Greek forms of the book as we now have them. Since these

Greek forms are themselves translations of a Semitic original, in my translations I have attempted to reproduce in English the flavor of these two Greek forms.

Recent Translations

The recent translations of the book of Tobit are based, as I mentioned above, on G^II, and these make a serious effort to reconstruct or correct the defective text of Sinaiticus on the basis of Greek witnesses, whenever possible, and also on the basis of the critically essential Old Latin witnesses. See, for example, the critical footnotes the translators of Tobit supplied in the New Revised Standard Version, and especially the extensive critical notes I provided for my translation of Tobit in the New American Bible.¹¹ The forthcoming revision of Tobit in the New American Bible, revised edition, by Joseph A. Fitzmyer who, as noted above, edited the Qumran fragments of Tobit, also will contain readings from these fragments.

The NETS Translations of Tobit

My translation of G^II, however, is different from any of these other translations. What I give is a translation of G^II alone, warts and all. In those places where Codex Sinaiticus has lacunae, as noted above, Hanhart does not supply a text, but only an apparatus. These lacunae, therefore, are represented also in my translation; to see what essentially would have been in these lacunae the reader should look to the translation of G^I. In rare cases when a passage of G^II is awkward, I render it into English without attempting to improve on the Greek. In 11.11–13, for instance, I give the following translation: “Then he lay the medicine on him, and ^ait worked^a. And he scaled it off with both his hands from the corners of his eyes.” Note ^a then states: “Gk uncertain.” Thus, readers can see for themselves what the Greek text says. I followed the same procedure in my translation of G^I.

If the translation of a Greek expression needs clarification, I have appended a note. The translation of 1.2 in G^II, for example, states, “Thisbe which is to the right^a of Kydios . . . above Asser^b to the west, left^c of Phogor.” My note ^a reads: “Aram/Heb = south,” and note ^c reads “Aram/Heb = north.”

The Names of the Protagonist(s)

In the Qumran Aramaic and Hebrew fragments the father’s name appears as , a Hebrew name meaning “my good,” but this form is clearly an abbreviation of the son’s name , a Hebrew name meaning “Yah[weh] is my good,”¹² which recurs also in Ezra 2.60; Neh 2.10, 19; 3.35; 4.1; 6.1, 12, 14, 17, 19; 7.62; 13.4, 7, 8. The father’s name in the Greek forms of the book is spelled in different ways: in G^I and (twenty-two times) in G^II; the final consonant in each of these forms was added to the final vowel of the Greek transliteration to make the name indeclinable.¹³ In G^II a second form, , is found eight times and is inflected: nominative (11.10; 12.4), dative (7.2) and accusative (3.17; 7.4; 9.6; 10.8; 11.18). The son’s name recurs as in G^I as well as in G^II, a name that also can be inflected; this Greek name represents the transliteration of Hebrew . In the LXX of Ezra 2.60 and most of the Nehemiah texts, the name occurs as indeclinable . But in Neh 3.35; 6.12, 19, the name is given as while in 6.17 the name occurs in the first of two instances in the accusative case.

ALEXANDER A. DI LELLA

GII	GI
1 The book of the words of Tobith son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Adouel son of Gabael son of Raphael son of Ragouel of the descendants of Asiel, of the tribe of Nephthaleim, ²who in the days of Enemessaros, the king of the Assyrians, was taken into captivity from Thisbe which is to the right^a of Kydios Nephthaleim in Upper Galilee, above Asser^b to the west, left^c of Phogor.	1 The book of the words of Tobit son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Adouel son of Gabael of the descendants of Asiel, of the tribe of Nephthaleim, ²who was taken into captivity in the days of Enemessaros, the king of Assyrians, from Thisbe which is to the right^a of Kydios Nephthaleim in Galilee above Aser.
3 I, Tobith, walked in the ways of truth and in righteous acts all the days of my life, and I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my people who had gone with me in exile into the land of the Assyrians, into Nineue. ⁴And when I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, and when I was young, all the tribe of Nephthaleim my ancestor withdrew from the house of Dauid my ancestor and from Ierousalem, the city chosen from all the tribes of Israel to offer sacrifice for all the tribes of Israel, and the shrine of God’s covert had been consecrated and established in it for all the generations of the age.	3 I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life, and I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and people who had accompanied me into the land of the Assyrians, into Nineue. ⁴And when I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was a young man, all the tribe of Nephthaleim my ancestor withdrew from the house of Hierosolyma, which had been chosen from all the tribes of Israel for all the tribes to offer sacrifice, and the shrine of the Most High’s covert had been consecrated and established for all the generations of the age.
5 All my kindred and the house of Nephthaleim my ancestor sacrificed to the calf which Ierobeam, the king of Israel, had made in Dan on all the mountains of Galilee. ⁶But I all alone went frequently into Hierosolyma for the feasts, as it is written in all Israel in an everlasting ordinance. Taking the first fruits and the first products and the tithes of the cattle and the first shearings of the sheep, I would hurry off to Hierosolyma. ⁷And I gave these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar, and the tenth of the grain and the wine and olive oil and pomegranates and the figs and the rest of the fruits to the sons of Leui who ministered in Ierousalem. Also I tithed the second tenth in silver for six years and would go and spend these things in Ierousalem each year. ⁸And I gave these things to the orphans and the widows and guests who had attached themselves to the sons of Israel. I brought and gave these things to them in the third year, and we would eat them according to the decree that had been decreed concerning them in the law of Moyses and according to the commands which Debbora, the mother of Hananiel our father, had commanded, for my father had left me an orphan and died. ⁹And when I became a man, I took a wife, one of our own family, and by her I became the father of a son, and I called his name Tobias.	5 And all the tribes that had joined in apostasy and the house of Nephthaleim my ancestor offered sacrifice to Baal the heifer. ⁶But I alone went often into Hierosolyma for the feasts, as it is written for all Israel in an everlasting ordinance, taking the first fruits and the tithes of the produce and the first shearings. ⁷And I gave these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar. I gave the tenth of all the produce to the sons of Leui who ministered in Ierousalem, and the second tenth I sold and went and spent these things in Hierosolyma each year. ⁸And I gave the third tenth to those to whom it was my duty, as Debbora, my father’s mother, had commanded me, for I was left an orphan by my father. ⁹And when I became a man, I took Hanna as wife, one of our own family, and by her I became the father of Tobias.
10 After I was taken captive to the Assyrians and when I was taken captive, I went into Nineue. And all of my kindred and my race ate the food of the nations, ¹¹but I kept myself from eating the bread of the nations. ¹²And when I was mindful of my God with my whole soul, ¹³the Most High gave me favor and good standing with Enemessaros, and I bought everything he needed. ¹⁴So I would go into Media and buy for him there until he died. And I placed in trust bags of silver, ten talents worth, with Gabaelos the brother of Gabri in the country of Media. ¹⁵But when Enemassar died and Sennachereim his son became king in his place, then the roads to Media became unfit, and I could no longer go into Media.	10 Now when I was taken captive into Nineue, all of my kindred and race ate the bread of the nations; ¹¹but I kept myself from eating it; ¹²because I was mindful of God with my whole soul. ¹³Then the Most High gave me favor and good standing with Enemessaros, and I was his buyer of provisions. ¹⁴So I went into Media, and I placed in trust ten talents of silver with Gabaelos, the brother of Gabrias, at Rhaga in Media. ¹⁵But when Enemessaros died, Sennachereim his son became king in his place, and his roads became unstable, and I could no longer go into Media.
16 In the days of Enemessaros I performed many acts of charity for my kindred, those of my race. ¹⁷I would give my bread to the hungry and clothing to the naked, and if I saw anyone of my people dead and cast out behind the wall of Nineue, I would bury him. ¹⁸And if Sennachereim killed anyone, when he came fleeing from Judea in the days of judgment which the king of heaven executed upon him because of the blasphemies which he blasphemed, I buried him. For in his anger he killed many of the sons of Israel, but I would steal their bodies and bury them. And Sennachereim sought them, but he could not find them. ¹⁹Then a certain one of the people of Nineue went and informed the king about me, that I bury them; so I hid myself. But when I discovered that the king knew about me and that I was being sought out to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. ²⁰Then everything that belonged to me was seized, and nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury, except Hanna my wife and Tobias my son.	16 Now in the days of Enemessaros I performed many acts of charity for my kindred. ¹⁷I would give my bread to the hungry and clothing to the naked, and if I saw anyone of my race dead and cast out behind the wall of Nineue, I would bury him. ¹⁸And if Sennachereim the king killed anyone, when he came fleeing from Judea, I buried them by stealth. For he killed many in his anger. And the bodies were sought by the king, but they were not found. ¹⁹But one of the people of Nineue went and informed the king about me, that I bury them; so I hid myself. But discovering that I was being sought out to be put to death, I fled in fear. ²⁰Then all my belongings were seized, and nothing was left to me except Hanna my wife and Tobias my son.
21 But forty days did not pass before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. Then Sacherdonos his son became king after him. And he appointed Achicharos son of Hanael my brother over all the accounts of his kingdom, and he had authority over all the administration. ²²Then Achicharos interceded for me, and I returned into Nineue. For Achicharos was chief cupbearer and keeper of the signet and in charge of administration and accounts under Sennachereim, the king of the Assyrians, and Sacherdonos appointed him second to himself. Now he was my nephew and from my kinsfolk.	21 But fifty days did not pass before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. Then Sacherdonos his son became king in place of him. And he appointed Achiacharos son of Hanael my brother over all the accounts of his kingdom and over all the administration. ²²And Achiacharos interceded for me, and I came into Nineue. Now Achiacharos was cupbearer and keeper of the signet and in charge of administration and accounts, and Sacherdonos appointed him second to himself. Now he was my nephew.
2 Then during the reign of King Sarchedonos I returned home, and my wife Hanna and Tobias my son were given back to me. And at our feast of Pentecost, which is the holy feast of weeks, there was a good dinner for me, and I reclined to have dinner. ²And the table was set for me, and many fine foods were set before me. Then I said to Tobias my son, “My child, go, and bring whatever poor person of our kindred you may find among the Nineuite exiles, who is mindful with his whole heart, and he will eat together with me. And see, I shall wait for you, my child, until you come.” ³So Tobias went to seek some poor person of our kindred. And on his return he said, “Father!” And I said, “Here I am, my child.” Then in reply he said, “Father, behold, one of our people has been murdered and thrown into the marketplace and now lies strangled there.” ⁴So I sprang up, left the dinner before even tasting it and removed him from the square and put him into one of the rooms until the sun set and I would bury him. ⁵So returning, I washed myself and ate the bread with mourning. ⁶Then I remembered the saying of the prophet, those things that Amos spoke against Baithel, saying,	2 When I returned home and Hanna my wife and Tobias my son were given back to me at the feast of Pentecost, which is the holy feast of seven weeks, there was a good dinner for me, and I reclined to eat. ²And I saw many foods, so I said to my son, “Go, and bring whatever poor person of our kindred you may find who is mindful of the Lord, and behold, I shall wait for you.” ³And he came and said, “Father, one of our race has been strangled and thrown into the marketplace!” ⁴So before I tasted anything, I sprang up and removed him to a certain chamber until the sun set. ⁵And returning, I washed myself and ate my bread in sorrow. ⁶Then I remembered the prophecy of Amos, when he said,
“Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your ways^a into lamentation.” And I wept.	“Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your merriments into lamentation.” And I wept.
7 And when the sun had set, I went and dug a grave and buried him. ⁸And my neighbors were laughing in scorn, saying, “Is he still not afraid? For he was already sought out to be murdered for this thing, and he ran away. And again, behold, he is burying the dead!” ⁹Then the same night I washed myself and went into my courtyard and slept by the wall of the courtyard, and my face was uncovered because of the heat. ¹⁰And I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall above me, and their warm excrement settled into my eyes and brought about white films. So I went to the physicians to be healed, but the more they anointed me with the medicines so much the more were my eyes blinded by the white films until I became completely blind. And I was powerless with my eyes four years. Now all my kindred grieved for me, but Achiacharos supported me two years before he went to Elymais.	7 And when the sun had set I went and dug a grave and buried him. ⁸And the neighbors were laughing, saying, “He is no longer afraid to be murdered for this thing. And he ran away, and behold, he is again burying the dead!” ⁹Then on the same night I returned from the burial, and, because I was defiled, I slept by the wall of the courtyard, and my face was uncovered. ¹⁰I did not know that there were sparrows in the wall, and since my eyes were open the sparrows dropped their warm excrement into my eyes, and white films came into my eyes. So I went to physicians, but they did not help me. Achiacharos, however, supported me until he went to Elymais.
11 And at that time Hanna my wife earned money in women’s works. ¹²Then she would send what she made to their owners, and they would give her the wages. Now, on the seventh of Dystros, she cut off a piece of weaving and sent it to the owners, and they gave her all the wages and also gave her for the family a kid from the goats. ¹³And when it came in toward me, the kid began to bleat. So I called her and said, “Where is this kid from? It is not stolen, is it? Give it back to its owners, for we have no authority to eat anything stolen.” ¹⁴But she said to me, “It was given to me as a gift in addition to the wages.” But I did not believe her and told her to give it back to the owners. And because of this I flushed with anger against her. Then in reply she said to me, “Now where are your acts of charity? Where are your righteous deeds? See, these things are known about you!”	11 And my wife Hanna earned money in women’s things. ¹²Then she would send what she made to the owners. And they in turn gave her the wages, giving in addition also a kid. ¹³But when it came toward me, it began to bleat. So I said to her, “Where is the kid from? It is not stolen, is it? Give it back to the owners, for it is not lawful to eat what is stolen.” ¹⁴But she said, “It was given to me as a gift in addition to the wages.” But I did not believe her and told her to give it back to the owners. And I blushed in anger against her. She, however, said to me in reply, “Where are your acts of charity and your righteous deeds? Behold, all things are known about you!”
3 Then being grief-stricken in spirit and groaning, I wept, and I began to pray with sighs: ² “You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are righteous, and all your ways are mercy and truth; you judge the age. ³ And now you, O Lord, remember me, and look down. And do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offenses and those of my ancestors; they sinned before you, ⁴ and they^b disobeyed your commandments. And you gave us over to plunder and exile and death and for an illustration and byword and reproach among all the nations among which you have scattered us. ⁵ And now your many judgments are true in doing with me according to my sins, because we did not keep your commandments and did not walk truthfully before you. ⁶ So now according to what is pleasing to you do with me, and command my spirit to be taken up from me, that I may be set free from the face of the earth and become earth. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and great is the grief with me. O Lord, command that I be set free from this distress; set me free into the place everlasting, and do not turn away your face, O Lord, from me. For it is better for me to die than to see great distress in my life, and better not to hear reproaches.”	3 Then in grief I wept, and I prayed with anguish, saying, ² “You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds and all your ways are mercy and truth, and with true and righteous judgment you judge forever. ³ Remember me, and look down upon me; do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offenses and those of my ancestors who sinned before you. ⁴ For they disobeyed your commandments, and you gave us over to plunder and exile and death, and for an illustration of reproach to all the nations among which we have been scattered. ⁵ And now your many judgments are true in doing with me concerning my sins and those of my ancestors, because we did not keep your commandments. For we did not walk in truth before you. ⁶ So now, according to what is pleasing before you, do with me; command my spirit to be taken up, that I may be set free and become earth. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and grief is great in me. Command that I be now set free from this distress to go to the everlasting place; do not turn your face away from me.”
⁷ On that day, it happened to Sarra daughter of Ragouel at Ecbatana in Media that she also heard reproaches from one of her father’s maids. ⁸For she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaios the wicked demon had killed them before they had been with her as is prescribed for wives. So the maid said to her, “You are the one who kills your husbands! Behold, already you have been given to seven husbands, and you have not borne the name of one of them. ⁹Why do you beat us concerning your husbands? Because they are dead? Go with them! And may we never see a son or a daughter of yours!”	7 On the same day, it happened to Sarra daughter of Ragouel at Ecbatana in Media that she also was reproached by her father’s maids, ⁸because she had been given to seven husbands, and Asmodaus the wicked demon had killed them before they had been with her as is the case with wives. So the maids said to her, “Do you not know you strangle your husbands? Already you had seven and had no advantage from one of them. ⁹Why do you beat us? If they are dead, go with them! May we never see a son or a daughter of yours!”
10 On that day she was grieved in spirit and wept. And going up into the upper room of her father, she wished to hang herself. But she thought again and said, “Never may they reproach my father and say to him, ‘You had only one beloved daughter, but she hanged herself because of her troubles.’ And I shall bring down my father’s old age with grief into Hades. It is better for me not to hang myself, but to pray the Lord that I may die and no longer hear reproaches in my life.” ¹¹At that same time, stretching out her hands toward the window, she prayed and said,	10 Hearing these things, she was so deeply grieved that she thought to hang herself. But she said, “I am my father’s only one; if I do this, it will be a disgrace to him, and I shall bring down his old age with sorrow into Hades.” ¹¹So she prayed toward the window and said,
“Blessed are you, merciful God! And blessed is your name forever, and let all your works praise you forever. ¹² And now my face is toward you, and I lift up my eyes. ¹³ Command that I be set free from the earth and that I hear reproaches no more. ¹⁴ You know, O Master, that I am pure from all impurity with a man ¹⁵ and that I did not defile my name or my father’s name in the land of my captivity. I am my father’s only begotten, and he has no other child to be his heir, nor has he a near kinsman or other relative that I should keep myself as wife for him. Seven of mine have already died. So why should I still live? But if it does not please you to kill me, O Lord, hear now my reproach.”	“Blessed are you, O Lord my God! And blessed is your holy and honored name forever. Let all your works praise you forever. ¹² And now, O Lord, I have turned my eyes and my face toward you. ¹³ Command that I be set free from the earth and hear reproach no more. ¹⁴ You know, O Lord, that I am pure from all sin with a man ¹⁵ and that I did not defile my name or my father’s name in the land of my captivity. I am my father’s only begotten, and he has no other child who will be his heir, nor has he a near kinsman or son of his that I should keep myself as wife for him. Seven of mine have already died. Why should I live? But if it does not please you to kill me, command that some regard be shown to me and mercy be given to me and that I hear reproach no more.”
¹⁶ At that very moment, the prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of God. ¹⁷And Raphael was sent to heal the two: Tobis, by removing the white films from his eyes so that he might see with his eyes the light of God, and Sarra daughter of Ragouel, by giving her to Tobias son of Tobith as wife and by freeing Asmodaios the wicked demon from her, because Tobias had the right to inherit her before all others who desired to have her. At that moment Tobith returned from the courtyard into his house, and Sarra daughter of Ragouel also came down herself from the upper room.	16 Now the prayer of both was heard in the presence of the glory of the great Raphael. ¹⁷And he was sent to heal the two: to scale away the white films of Tobit and to give Sarra daughter of Ragouel to Tobias son of Tobit as wife and to bind Asmodaus the wicked demon, because Tobias had the right to inherit her. At that very moment Tobit returned and entered into his house, and Sarra daughter of Ragouel came down from her upper room.
4 On that day Tobith remembered the silver, which he had placed in trust with Gabaelos at Rhaga in Media, ²and he said in his heart, “Behold, I have asked for death. Why do I not call Tobias my son and inform him about this silver before I die?” ³Then he called Tobias his son, and he came to him. And he said, “Bury me properly. And honor your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life. And do what is pleasing before her, and do not grieve her spirit in anything. ⁴Remember her, my child, because she experienced many dangers for you in her womb. And when she dies, bury her beside me in one grave.	4 On that day Tobit remembered about the silver, which he had placed in trust with Gabaelos at Rhaga in Media, and he said in himself, ²“I have asked for death. Why do I not call Tobias my son so that I may inform him before I die?” ³So calling him, he said, “My child, if I die, bury me, and do not neglect your mother. Honor her all the days of your life, and do what is pleasing to her, and do not grieve her. ⁴Remember, my child, that she experienced many dangers for you in the womb. When she dies, bury her beside me in one grave.
5 “And all your days, my child, remember the Lord, and do not desire to sin or to transgress his commandments. Do righteous acts all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of injustice. ⁶For those who keep to the truth will succeed in all their deeds. And to all those who do righteousness, …	5 “All the days, my child, remember the Lord our God, and do not desire to sin or to transgress his commandments. Do righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of injustice. ⁶For if you keep to the truth, there will be successes in your deeds. And to all who do righteousness ⁷give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye be envious when you give alms. Do not turn your face away from any poor person, and the face of God shall not be turned away from you. ⁸If you have abundant possessions, give alms from them accordingly; if you have a little, do not be afraid to give alms according to that little. ⁹For you will be storing up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. ¹⁰Therefore, alms delivers from death and prevents entering into the darkness. ¹¹For alms is a good gift to those who give them in the presence of the Most High.
	12 “Beware, my child, of all immorality. And first of all take a wife from among the descendants of your ancestors, and do not take a foreign woman, who is not of the tribe of your father, for we are the children of the prophets. Remember, my child, Noe, Abraam, Isaak, Iakob, our fathers from of old. These all took wives from among their kindred, and they were blessed in their children, and their descendants will inherit land. ¹³So now, my child, love your kindred, and do not act arrogantly in your heart with your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, in taking for yourself a wife from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion, and in worthlessness there is loss and great want, because worthlessness is the mother of famine.
¹⁹… the Lord will give to them good counsel. And if the Lord wishes, he casts down to deepest Hades. So now, my child, remember these commandments, and do not let them be erased from your heart.	14 “Let not the wages of any one who works for you stay with you overnight, but give it to him at once. And if you are subject to God, you will be repaid. Watch yourself, my child, in all your deeds, and be disciplined in all your behavior. ¹⁵And what you hate, do to no one. Do not drink wine to drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness go with you on your way. ¹⁶Give some of your bread to the hungry and some of your clothing to the naked. Everything you have left over give as alms, and do not let your eye be envious when you give alms. ¹⁷Spread out your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give nothing to the sinners. ¹⁸Seek advice from every prudent person, and do not despise any useful advice. ¹⁹And at every moment bless the Lord, your God, and ask from him that your ways may be straight and all your paths and counsels may succeed. For no nation has understanding, but the Lord himself gives all good things, and the one he wishes he humbles as he wills. So now, my child, remember my commandments, and do not let them be erased from your heart.
20 “And now, my child, I will inform you that I placed ten talents of silver in trust with Gabaelos son of Gabri at Rhaga in Media. ²¹So do not be afraid, my child, because we have become poor. You will have many good things if you fear God and flee from every sin and do what is good in the sight of the Lord, your God.”	20 “And now I will inform you about the ten talents of silver, which I placed in trust with Gabaelos son of Gabrias at Rhaga in Media. ²¹So do not be afraid, my child, because we have become poor. You will have many things if you fear God and withdraw from every sin and do what is pleasing in his sight.”
5 Then in reply Tobias said to Tobith his father, “Everything that you have commanded me I shall do, father. ²But how can I get it from him; indeed, he does not know me, nor do I know him? What sign shall I give him, so he will recognize me and believe me and give me the silver? Also, I do not know the roads into Media in order to go there.” ³Then in reply Tobith said to Tobias his son, “He gave me his bond, and I gave him my bond. And I divided it into two, and we each took one part, and I put it in with the silver. And now behold, it is twenty years since I placed this silver in trust. So now, my child, seek for yourself a trustworthy man who will go with you, and we will give him wages until you come. But get this silver from him.”	5 And in reply Tobias said to him, “Father, I shall do everything that you have commanded me. ²However, how can I get the silver; I do not even know him?” ³Then Tobit gave him the bond and said to him, “Seek for yourself a man who will go along with you, and I shall give him wages while I live; now go, and get the silver.”
4 So Tobias went out to seek a man who would go with him into Media, who was acquainted with the road. And he went out and found Raphael the angel standing in front of him, but he did not know that he was an angel of God. ⁵And he said to him, “Where are you from, young man?” And he said to him, “From the sons of Israel, your kindred, and I have come here to work.” Then he said to him, “Do you know the road to go into Media?” ⁶And he said to him, “Yes, I have been there many times; I am acquainted with and know all the roads. Often I went into Media, and I stayed with Gabaelos our kinsman who dwells in Rhaga of Media. Now it is a journey of two days from Ecbatana into Rhagai, for it lies in the mountain, Ecbatana in the middle of the plain.” ⁷Then he said to him, “Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father, for I need you to go with me, and I will give you your wages.” ⁸And he said, “Behold, I will stay; only do not delay.”	4 So he went to seek a man, and he found Raphael, who was an angel, but he did not know it. ⁵And he said to him, “Can I go with you to Rhagai in Media? And are you acquainted with the places?” ⁶And the angel said to him, “I shall go with you, and I am familiar with the road, and I have stayed with Gabael our kinsman.” ⁷Then Tobias said to him, “Wait for me, and I shall tell my father.” ⁸And he said to him, “Go, but do not delay.”
9 So Tobias went in to tell Tobith his father and said to him, “Behold, I found a man of our kindred, of the sons of Israel!” And he said to him, “Call the man for me so that I may find out what is his race and to what tribe he belongs and if he is trustworthy so that he may go with you, my child.”	9 So he went in and said to his father, “Behold, I have found some one who will go along with me.” Then he said, “Call him to me so that I may find out to what tribe he belongs and if he is trustworthy to go with you.”
10 Then Tobias went out and called him and said to him, “Young man, my father is calling you.” So he went in to him, and Tobith greeted him first. And he said to him, “Many joyful greetings to you!” But in reply Tobith said to him, “What is there for me still to be joyful about? Now I am a man with no power in my eyes, and I do not see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer look at the light. Living, I am among the dead. I hear the voice of people, but I do not see them.” So he said to him, “Take courage; the time is near for God to heal you; take courage.” Then Tobith said to him, “Tobias my son wishes to go into Media. Can you go along with him and lead him? And I will give you your wages, brother.” And he said to him, “I can go with him; indeed, I know all the roads. Also I went into Media many times, and I crossed all its plains, and I know its mountains and all its roads.”	10 Then he called him, and he went in, and they greeted each other.
11 Then he said to him, “Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me, brother.” ¹²And he said, “Why, do you need a tribe?” And he said to him, “I want to know the truth about whose son you are, brother, and what your name is.” ¹³So he said to him, “I am Azarias son of Hananias the great, one of your relatives.” ¹⁴Then he said to him, “Come in, brother, in good health and safety! And do not be bitter toward me, brother, because I wanted to know the truth about your family also. Now you happen to be a relative, and you are of a noble and good lineage. I knew Hananias and Nathan, the two sons of Semelias the great, and they would go with me into Ierousalem and do obeisance with me there, and they did not err. Your relatives are good people; you are of good stock. So come in with joy!” ¹⁵Then he said to him, “I will give you a drachma a day as wages, and what is needed for you as well as for my son. So go with my son. ¹⁶I will also add more to your wages.” And he said to him, “I shall go with him; so do not fear. We shall go away in good health, and we shall return to you in good health, because the road is safe.” ¹⁷So he said to him, “Blessing be upon you, brother.”	11 Then Tobit said to him, “Brother, of what tribe and what family are you? Tell me.” ¹²And he said to him, “Are you seeking a tribe and a family, or a hired man who will go along with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I wish to know, brother, about your race and name.” ¹³So he said, “I am Azarias son of Hananias the great, one of your relatives.” ¹⁴Then he said to him, “Come in, brother, in good health! And do not be angry with me, because I sought to know about your tribe and family. So you happen to be my relative, of a noble and good lineage. For I knew Hananias and Iathan, the sons of Semaias the great, when we would go together into Hierosolyma to do obeisance, offering the firstborn of our flocks and the tithes of our produce. And they did not err in the error of our relatives. You are of great stock, brother. ¹⁵But say, what wages shall I give you—a drachma a day and what is needed for you as well as for my son? ¹⁶I will also add more to your wages if you come back in good health.” ¹⁷So they agreed on this.
Then he called his son and said to him, “My child, prepare the things for the journey, and go out with your brother. And may God in heaven bring you safely there and restore you back to me in good health, and may his angel journey along with you in safety, my child.” And he went out to go on his journey, and he kissed his father and mother. Then Tobith said to him, “Go in good health.”	Then he said to Tobias, “Get ready for the journey, and may you be successful.” So his son prepared the things for the journey. And his father said to him, “Go with the man, and God who dwells in heaven will make your journey successful, and may his angel go along with you.” So they both went out to go away, and the young man’s dog with them.
18 But his mother wept and said to Tobith, “Why is it that you have sent my child away? Is he not the rod of our hand as he goes in and goes out before us? ¹⁹Do not add silver to silver, but let it be a ransom for our child. ²⁰For as it has been given to us to live by the Lord, that is enough.” ²¹And he said to her, “Do not worry; our child will go in good health and come back to us in good health. And your eyes will see him^a on the day when he comes back to you in good health. Do not worry! Do not fear for them, my sister. ²²For a good angel will accompany him, and his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health.”	18 But Hanna his mother wept and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent away our child? Is he not the rod of our hand as he goes in and goes out before us? ¹⁹Do not add silver to silver, but let it be a ransom for our child. ²⁰For as it has been given to us to live by the Lord, that is enough for us.” ²¹And Tobit said to her, “Do not worry, my sister; he will come back in good health, and your eyes will see him. ²²For a good angel will go along with him; so his journey will be successful, and he will return in good health.”
6 So she stopped weeping.	6 So she stopped weeping.
2 Then the child went out, and the angel with him, and the dog went out with him and walked with them. And they both walked, and the first night came upon them, and they camped by the Tigris River. ³Then the child went down to wash his feet in the Tigris River. And a large fish, leaping up from the water, wanted to swallow the foot of the young man, and he cried out. ⁴Then the angel said to the young man, “Take hold of the fish, and hang on!” So the child seized the fish and carried it up onto the land. ⁵Then the angel said to him, “Rip open the fish, and take out its gall and heart and liver, and put them aside with you, but the entrails throw away. For its gall and heart and liver are useful as medicine.” ⁶So cutting open the fish, the young man gathered together the gall and heart and liver; then he roasted and ate some of the fish and kept some of it salted.	² Now as they walked on the road they came at evening to the Tigris River and camped there. ³Then the young man went down to wash himself. And a fish leaped up from the river and wanted to swallow the young man. ⁴But the angel said to him, “Take hold of the fish!” So the child seized the fish and threw it up onto the land. ⁵Then the angel said to him, “Cut open the fish, and take the heart and liver and gall, and put them away safely.” ⁶So the young man did as the angel had told him. Then, roasting the fish, they ate.
And the two walked together until they drew near to Media. ⁷And then the young man asked the angel and said to him, “Brother Azarias, what is the medicine in the fish’s heart and liver and in the gall?” ⁸And he said to him, “As for the fish’s heart and liver, burn them to smoke in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or evil spirit, and every affliction will flee away from him and will not remain with him any longer. ⁹And as for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes on which white films have come up; blow upon them, upon the white films, and they will be healed.”	And they both journeyed until they drew near to Ecbatana. ⁷And the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azarias, of what use is the fish’s liver and heart and gall?” ⁸And he said to him, “As for the heart and liver, if a demon or evil spirit troubles somebody, one must burn these things to smoke before a man or woman, and he will never be troubled again. ⁹But as for the gall, anoint a person who has white films in his eyes, and he will be cured.”
10 And when he went into Media and already drew near to Ecbatana, ¹¹Raphael said to the young man, “Brother Tobias.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” Then he said to him, “This night we must stay in the home of Ragouelos. Now the man is your relative, and he has a beautiful^a daughter whose name is Sarra. ¹²And he has no male son or daughter except Sarra alone, and you are closer to her than all other men, to have her as an inheritance. And it is right for you to have her father’s possessions as an inheritance. Also the girl is sensible and brave and very beautiful, and her father is noble.” ¹³And he said, “It is right for you to take her. So listen to me, brother, and I shall speak to the father about the girl this night so that we may take her to be your bride. And, when we return from Rhaga, we shall celebrate her wedding feast. And I know that Ragouel cannot keep her from you or promise her to another; he would be liable to death according to the decree of the book of Moyses. And he knows that the inheritance is yours by right to take his daughter before any other man. So now listen to me, brother, and we shall speak this night concerning the girl and have her engaged to you. And, when we return from Rhaga, we shall take her and bring her back with us into your house.”	10 Now as they approached Rhagai, ¹¹the angel said to the young man, “Brother, today we shall stay with Ragouel. Now he is your relative, and he has an only daughter named Sarra. ¹²I shall speak up for her, that she be given to you as wife, because her inheritance falls to you; also you are the only one of her kindred. And the girl is beautiful and sensible. ¹³So now listen to me, and I shall speak to her father. And when we return from Rhaga, we shall celebrate the wedding feast. For I know that Ragouel cannot give her to another man, according to the law of Moyses, or else he will be liable to death, because it is right for you to receive the inheritance before any other man.”
14 Then in reply Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, I heard that she already has been given to seven husbands, and they died in their bridal chamber. On the night when they went in toward her, they would die. And I heard people say that a demon kills them. ¹⁵And now I am afraid—for it does not harm her, but anyone who desires to approach her it kills; I am my father’s only son—that I may die and bring my father’s and my mother’s life, because of me, to their grave with sorrow. And they have no other son, that he may bury them.”	14 Then the young man said to the angel, “Brother Azarias, I have heard that the girl has been given to seven husbands and all died in the bridal chamber. ¹⁵And now I am the only one my father has, and I fear that I may go in and die as did those before me, for a demon loves her, and it harms no one except those who approach her. So now I fear that I may die and bring my father’s and my mother’s life, because of me, to their grave with sorrow. And they have no other son who will bury them.”
16 But he said to him, “Do you not remember your father’s commandments, that he commanded you to take a wife from your father’s house? So now listen to me, brother, and do not worry about this demon, and take her. And I know that this night a wife will be given to you. ¹⁷Now when you go into the bridal chamber, take some of the fish’s liver and heart, and put them on the embers of the incense, and the smell will go forth. ¹⁸Then the demon will smell it and flee and will never be seen around her any more. And when you are about to be with her, get up first, both of you, and pray, and beseech the Lord of heaven that mercy and safety may be upon you. So do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you from of old. And you will save her, and she will go with you. And I suppose that you will have children by her, and they will be as brothers to you. Do not worry!” Now when Tobias heard the words of Raphael, and that she was his kinswoman of the lineage of his father’s house, he loved her very much, and his heart clung to her.	16 But the angel said to him, “Do you not remember the words with which your father commanded you, to take a wife from among your people? So now listen to me, brother, for she will become your wife. Also do not worry about the demon, for this night she will be given to you as wife. ¹⁷Now when you go into the bridal chamber, you shall take embers of incense and lay upon them some of the fish’s heart and liver, and you shall make smoke. ¹⁸Then the demon will smell it and flee and will never again come back. Now when you come near her, rise up, both of you, and cry out to the merciful God, and he will save you and have mercy. Do not be afraid, for she has been prepared for you from of old. And you will save her, and she will go with you, and I suppose that you will have children by her.” Now when Tobias heard these things, he loved her, and his spirit clung to her intensely.
7 Now when they^b entered into Ecbatana, he said to him, “Brother Azarias, lead me straight to Ragouel our brother.” So he led him into the house of Ragouelos, and they found him sitting beside the door of the courtyard. And they greeted him first, and he said to them, “Many joyful greetings, brothers, and welcome in good health!” Then he led them into his house. ²And he said to Edna his wife, “How much this young man resembles Tobis my kinsman!” ³Then Edna asked them and said to them, “Where are you from, brothers?” And they said to her, “We belong to the children of Nephthaleim, who were taken captive in Nineue.” ⁴So she said to them, “Do you know Tobis our kinsman?” And they said to her, “We do know him.” Then she said to them, “Is he in good health?” ⁵And they said to her, “He is in good health and alive.” And Tobias said, “He is my father!” ⁶Then Ragouel jumped up and kissed him and wept. ⁷And he spoke and said to him, “Blessings on you, my child, son of a noble and good father! O most miserable of calamities that a righteous man who also gives alms has become blind!” Then he fell on the neck of Tobias his kinsman and wept. ⁸Also Edna his wife wept for him, and Sarra their daughter likewise wept. ⁹Then he slaughtered a ram from the flock and welcomed them very warmly.	7 And they went into Ecbatana and arrived at the house of Ragouel. Sarra then met them and greeted them, and they her. And she brought them into the house. ²Then Ragouel said to Edna his wife, “How much the young man resembles Tobit my cousin!” ³And Ragouel asked them, “Where are you from, brothers?” And they said to him, “We belong to the children of Nephthaleim, who are captives in Nineue.” ⁴So he said to them, “Do you know Tobit our kinsman?” And they said, “We do know him.” ⁵Then he said to them, “Is he in good health?” And they said, “He is both alive and in good health.” And Tobias said, “He is my father!” ⁶Then Ragouel jumped up and kissed him and wept. ⁷And he blessed him and said to him, “Son of that noble and good man!” And hearing that Tobit had lost his eyes, he grieved and wept. ⁸Also Edna his wife and Sarra his daughter wept, and they welcomed them very warmly. ⁹Then they killed a ram of the flock, and they set out large servings of food.
Now when they had bathed and washed themselves and had reclined to have dinner, Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, speak to Ragouel that he give to me Sarra my kinswoman.” ¹⁰But Ragouel heard the word and said to the lad, “Eat, and drink, and be merry this night. For there is no man who has the right to take Sarra my daughter except you, brother. Likewise I myself do not have the authority to give her to any other man except you, because you are my nearest relative. But let me explain to you the truth more fully, my child. ¹¹I have given her to seven men of our kinsmen, and all died on the night when they went in toward her. So now, my child, eat, and drink, and the Lord will do something with you both.” Then Tobias said, “I will neither eat nor drink until you settle the things that pertain to me.” So Ragouel said to him, “I will do it. Indeed, she is given to you according to the decree of the book of Moyses, and from heaven it has been decreed that she be given to you. Take your kinswoman; from now on you are her brother, and she is your sister. She has been given to you from today and forever. And may the Lord of heaven prosper you both this night, my child, and grant you mercy and peace.” ¹²Then Ragouel called Sarra his daughter. And she came to him. Then taking her hand, he gave her over to him and said, “Take her according to the law, and according to the decree written in the book of Moyses she is your wife. Take her, and lead her away in good health to your father. And may the God of heaven prosper you both with peace.” ¹³Then he called her mother and told her to bring a scroll, and he wrote out a contract, a scroll of marriage, that he gave her to him as wife according to the decree of the law of Moyses. ¹⁴After that they began to eat and to drink.	Tobias then said to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, speak of those things which you talked about on the journey, and let the matter be settled.” ¹⁰So he communicated the word to Ragouel. And Ragouel said to Tobias, “Eat, and drink, and be merry, for it is your right to take my child. But let me explain the truth to you. ¹¹I have given my child to seven husbands, and when they came in toward her, they died during the night. But for now be merry.” Then Tobias said, “I will taste nothing here until you ^astand firm and are confirmed in my regard^a.” So Ragouel said, “Take her from now on, according to the decree. And you are her brother, and she is yours. Now may the merciful God prosper you both with the best.” ¹²Then he called Sarra his daughter, and taking her hand, he gave her over to Tobias as wife, and he said, “Behold, according to the law of Moyses take her, and lead her away to your father.” And he blessed them. ¹³Then he called Edna his wife, and taking a scroll, he wrote out a contract, and they set their seals to it. ¹⁴And they began to eat.
15 Then Ragouel called Edna his wife and said to her, “My sister, prepare the other room, and lead her in there.” ¹⁶So she went and made the bed in the room as he had told her, and she led her there. And she wept for her. Then she wiped away the tears and said to her, ¹⁷“Take courage, my daughter; may the Lord of heaven grant you joy in place of your sorrow. Take courage, my daughter.” Then she went out.	15 Then Ragouel called Edna his wife and said to her, “My sister, prepare the other room, and lead her into it.” ¹⁶So she did as he said and led her in there, and she wept. Then she received the tears of her daughter and said to her, ¹⁷“Take courage, my child; may the Lord of heaven and earth give you grace in place of this sorrow of yours. Take courage, my daughter.”
8 When they had finished eating and drinking, they wanted to go to sleep; so they led the young man out and led him into the room. ²Then Tobias remembered the words of Raphael, and he took the fish’s liver and heart out of the bag where he had them and put them on the embers of the incense. ³And the odor of the fish became a hindrance, and the demon fled ^ainto the upper parts^a of Egypt. But Raphael went and bound him there hand and foot and tied him up at once.	8 When they had finished dining, they led Tobias in to her. ²As he went he remembered the words of Raphael, and he took the embers of incense and put the fish’s heart and liver upon them and made a smoke. ³Now when the demon smelled the odor, it fled to the uppermost part of Egypt, and the angel tied it up.
4 Then they went out and shut the door of the room. And Tobias got up from the bed and said to her, “Sister, get up, let us pray and implore our Lord that he grant us mercy and safety.” ⁵So she got up, and they began to pray and implore that safety may be theirs. And he began to say, “Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors, and blessed be your name for all the ages forever. Let the heavens and all your creation bless you for all the ages. ⁶ You made Adam, and you made for him a helper, a support—his wife Heua. And from the two of them the human race has come. And you said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make for him a helper like himself.’ ⁷ And now not because of lust am I taking this kinswoman of mine, but with sincerity. Grant that I and she may have mercy and that we may grow old together.” ⁸And they said with each other, “Amen, Amen.” ⁹Then they went to sleep for the night.	4 When the two of them were shut in together, Tobias got up from the bed and said, “Get up, sister, and let us pray that the Lord may have mercy upon us.” ⁵And Tobias began to say, “Blessed are you, O God of our ancestors, and blessed be your holy and glorious name for the ages. Let the heavens and all your creatures bless you. ⁶ You made Adam and gave him a helper, Heua, a support—his wife. From them the human race has come. You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make for him a helper like himself.’ ⁷ And now, O Lord, not because of lust am I taking this kinswoman of mine, but with sincerity. Grant that I may have mercy and may grow old together with her.” ⁸And she said with him, “Amen.” ⁹Then they both went to sleep for the night.
But Ragouel got up and called his servants to him, and they went and dug a grave, ¹⁰for he said, “Perhaps he may die, and we may become an object of ridicule and derision.” ¹¹And when they had finished digging the grave, Ragouel went into the house and called his wife, ¹²and he said, “Send one of the maids, and have her go in to see if he is alive. But if he is dead, let us bury him so that no one may know.” ¹³So they sent the maid and lit the lamp and opened the door, and she went in and found them lying there fast asleep together. ¹⁴And the maid went out and told them that he was alive and that nothing was wrong. ¹⁵So they blessed the God of heaven, and they said, “Blessed are you, O God, with every pure blessing, and may they bless you forever and ever. ¹⁶ And blessed are you because you have made me glad, and it did not turn out as I expected, but according to your great mercy you have dealt with us. ¹⁷ And blessed are you because you had mercy on two only children. Have mercy on them, O Master, and keep them safe, and bring their life to fulfillment with gladness and mercy.” ¹⁸Then he told his domestics to fill in the grave before it became dawn.	But Ragouel got up and went and dug a grave, ¹⁰saying, “Perhaps even this one may die.” ¹¹Then Ragouel went into his house ¹²and said to Edna his wife, “Send one of the maids, and let them see if he is alive, but if he is not, let us bury him, and no one will know.” ¹³So opening the door, the maid went in and found the two asleep. ¹⁴And she went out and announced to them that he was alive. ¹⁵So Ragouel blessed God, saying, “Blessed are you, O God, with every pure and holy blessing. And let your holy ones and all your creatures bless you, and let all your angels and your chosen ones bless you forever. ¹⁶ Blessed are you because you have made me glad, and it did not turn out for me as I expected, but according to your great mercy you have dealt with us. ¹⁷ Blessed are you because you have had mercy on two only children. Have mercy on them, O Master; bring their life to fulfillment in health with gladness and mercy.” ¹⁸He then ordered his domestics to fill in the grave.
19 And he told his wife to make many loaves of bread, and he went out to the herd and brought two steers and four rams and commanded that they be killed. So they began to make preparations. ²⁰Then he called Tobias and ^aswore an oath to him and said^a: “For fourteen days you shall not move from here but shall stay here eating and drinking with me, and you shall make my daughter’s spirit glad which has been depressed. ²¹Then take at once half of what I own and return in good health to your father, and the other half will be yours when I die, and my wife as well. Take courage, my child. I am your father, and Edna is your mother, and we belong to you and to your kinswoman now and forever. Take courage, my child.”	19 And he gave them a wedding feast for fourteen days. ²⁰And before the days of the wedding feast were over, Ragouel said with an oath that he should not leave until the fourteen days of the wedding feast were ended ²¹and that he should take half of his property and go with health to his father, and the rest, “when I die and my wife.”
9 Then Tobias called Raphael and said to him, ²“Brother Azarias, take with you four domestics and two camels, and go to Rhagai. And go to the house of Gabaelos, and give him the bond, and get the silver, and then bring him back with you to the wedding feast. ³-⁴For you know that my father is counting the days, and if I delay one day, I will grieve him very much. And you see how Ragouel has sworn, and I cannot violate his oath.” ⁵So Raphael and the four domestics and two camels went into Rhagai in Media and stayed with Gabaelos. Then he gave him his bond and told him about Tobias son of Tobith, that he had taken a wife and invited him to the wedding feast. So he got up and counted out for him the money bags, with the seals; then they ^bloaded them on the camels^b. ⁶And they both got up early in the morning and went to the wedding feast. And they went to Ragouel’s place and found Tobias reclining at table. Then he sprang up and greeted him, and he wept and blessed him and said, “Noble and good son of a noble and good, upright and charitable man, may the Lord give the blessing of heaven to you and to your wife and to your father and to the mother of your wife. Blessed be God, for I see Tobis my cousin who is just like him.”	9 And Tobias called Raphael and said to him, ²“Brother Azarias, take with you a servant and two camels, and go to Gabael’s house at Rhaga in Media, and get the silver for me, and bring him to the wedding feast. ³For Ragouel has sworn that I should not leave. ⁴But my father is counting the days, and if I delay long, he will be greatly distressed.” ⁵So Raphael went and stayed with Gabael. Then he gave him the bond, and he brought out the money bags with the seals and gave them to him. ⁶And they both got up early in the morning and went to the wedding feast. And he blessed Tobias and his wife.
10 Now day by day Tobith was counting the days on which Tobias would need for going and for coming back. And when the days had been completed and his son did not appear, ²he said, “Perhaps he has been detained there? Or perhaps Gabael has died, and no one is giving him the silver?” ³And he began to grieve. ⁴Then Hanna his wife said, “My child has perished and is no longer among the living.” And she began to weep and mourn for her son, and she said, ⁵“Woe to me, my child, the light of my eyes, that I let you go!” ⁶But Tobith said to her, “Be quiet, and do not worry, my sister; he is in good health. And they probably had a distraction there. Also the man who went with him is trustworthy and is one of our own kindred. Do not grieve for him, my sister; he will soon be here.” ⁷Then she said to him, “Be quiet; away from me! And stop deceiving me! My child has perished.” And she would rush out every day and watch the road on which her son had gone, and she would not believe anyone. And when the sun had set she would go in and mourn and weep the whole night and get no sleep.	10 Now Tobit his father was counting each day, and when the days for the journey had expired and they did not come, ²he said, “Perhaps they were disappointed? Or perhaps Gabael has died, and no one is giving him the silver?” ³And he grieved very much. ⁴Then the wife said to him, “My child has perished; that is why he has delayed.” And she began to mourn him and said, ⁵“Do I not care, my child, that I let you go, the light of my eyes?” ⁶But Tobit said to her, “Be quiet; do not worry; he is in good health.” ⁷And she said to him, “Be quiet; stop deceiving me! My child has perished.” And she would go out every day to the road outside by which they had left; during the day she ate no food, and during the nights she never stopped mourning for Tobias her son, until the fourteen days of the wedding feast had ended which Ragouel had sworn that he should have there.
Now when the fourteen days of the wedding feast had ended that Ragouel had sworn to have for his daughter, Tobias came to him and said, “Send me back, for I know that my father and mother do not believe that they will see me again. So now I beg you, father, that you send me away and that I may go to my father. I have already explained to you how I left him.” ⁸But Ragouel said to Tobias, “Stay, my child, stay with me, and I shall send messengers to Tobis your father, and they will inform him about you.” ⁹But he said to him, “By no means! I beg you that you send me back from here to my father.” ¹⁰So Ragouel got up and gave Tobias Sarra his wife and half of all his property—male and female slaves, oxen and sheep, asses and camels, clothing and silver and utensils. ¹¹Then he sent them away in good health, and he embraced him and said to him, “Good health, my child; go away in good health. The Lord of heaven prosper you and Sarra your wife, and may I see your children before I die.” ¹²Then he said to Sarra his daughter, “^aMy daughter, honor your father-in-law and your mother-in-law^a, for from now on they are as much your parents as those who gave you birth. Go in peace, my daughter; may I hear a good report about you as long as I live.” And he took leave of them and let them go. Then Edna said to Tobias, “My child and dear brother, may the Lord of heaven bring you back safely, and while I live before I die, may I see children of you and my daughter Sarra. In the sight of the Lord I entrust to you my daughter as a pledge; do not grieve her all the days of your life. My child, peace. From now on I am your mother, and Sarra is your sister. May we all prosper together all the days of our life.” Then she kissed them both and sent them away in good health.	Then Tobias said to Ragouel, “Send me back, for my father and mother do not hope to see me again.” ⁸But his father-in-law said to him, “Stay with me, and I will send others to your father, and they will tell him how things are with you.” ⁹But Tobias said, “No, rather send me back to my father.” ¹⁰So Ragouel arose and gave him Sarra his wife and half of his property—slaves and cattle and silver. ¹¹Then blessing them, he sent them away, saying, “The God of heaven will prosper you, my children, before I die.” ¹²Then he said to his daughter, “Honor your father-in-law and mother-in-law; they are now your parents. May I hear a good report about you.” And he kissed her. And Edna said to Tobias, “Dear brother, may the Lord of heaven bring you back safely and grant that I may see your children by Sarra my daughter so that I may rejoice before the Lord. And behold, I entrust my daughter to you as a pledge; do not grieve her.”
13 Then Tobias went away from Ragouel in good health and rejoicing and blessing the Lord of heaven and earth, the king of all, because he had made his journey a success. Then he said to him, “^aMay it go well for you to honor them all the days of their life^a.”	13 After these things Tobias went away, blessing God because he had made his journey a success. And he blessed Ragouel and Edna his wife.
11 When they came near to Kaserein, which is opposite Nineue, ²Raphael said, “You know how we left your father. ³Let us run on ahead of your wife and prepare the house while they are on the way.” ⁴So the two of them went together, and he said to him, “Take the gall with your hands.” And the dog came along behind them.	11 So he went on until they came near to Nineue. ²Then Raphael said to Tobias, “Do you not know, brother, how you left your father? ³Let us run on ahead before your wife and prepare the house. ⁴Now take in your hand the gall of the fish.” So they went on, and the dog came along behind them.
5 Now Hanna sat looking intently at the road for her son. ⁶And she caught sight of him coming, and she said to his father, “Behold, your son is coming, and the man who went with him!”	5 Now Hanna sat looking intently down the road for her boy. ⁶And she caught sight of him coming, and she said to his father, “Behold, your son is coming, and the man who went with him!”
7 Then Raphael said to Tobias, before he had approached his father, “I know that his eyes will be opened. ⁸Sprinkle the gall of the fish on his eyes, and the medicine will make the white films contract and peel off from his eyes, and your father will look up and see the light.”	7 Then Raphael said, “I know, Tobias, that your father will open his eyes. ⁸You, therefore, anoint his eyes with the gall, and when he feels the sting, he will rub them and will cast off the white films, and he will see you.”
9 Then Hanna ran up and fell on the neck of her son and said to him, “I see you, my child; from now on I am ready to die.” And she wept. ¹⁰Then Tobis got up and stumbled on his feet and went out the door of the courtyard. And Tobias went up to him. ¹¹Now the gall of the fish was in his hand, and he blew into his eyes and held him and said, “Take courage, father.” Then he lay the medicine on him, and ^ait worked^a. ¹²-¹³And he scaled it off with both his hands from the corners of his eyes. Then he fell on his neck, ¹⁴and he wept and said to him, “I see you, my child, the light of my eyes!” Then he said,	9 Then running out, Hanna fell on the neck of her son and said to him, “I see you, my child; from now on I am ready to die.” And they both wept. ¹⁰Then Tobit went out toward the door, and he stumbled. But the son ran out to him ¹¹and took hold of his father, and he sprinkled the gall on his father’s eyes, saying, “Take courage, father.” ¹²And when they stung he rubbed them, ¹³and the white films scaled off from the corners of his eyes. Then seeing his son he fell on his neck, ¹⁴and he wept and said,
“Blessed be God, and blessed be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his great name be upon us, and may all the angels be blessed throughout all the ages.	“Blessed are you, O God, and blessed is your name forever, and blessed are all your holy angels.
¹⁵ For he afflicted me, but behold, I see Tobias my son!” And Tobias went in rejoicing and blessing God with full voice. Then Tobias told his father that his journey had been successful and that he had brought the silver and that he had taken Sarra daughter of Ragouel as wife and that behold, she is arriving and is near the gate of Nineue.	¹⁵ For you have afflicted me, but you have had mercy upon me; behold, I see Tobias my son!” And his son went in rejoicing, and he announced to his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.
16 Then Tobith went out to the gate of Nineue to meet his daughter-in-law, rejoicing and blessing God. Now the people of Nineue, seeing him walking and moving along in all his strength and with no one leading him, were amazed. ¹⁷And Tobith acknowledged before them that God had been merciful to him and that he had opened his eyes. Then Tobith approached Sarra, the wife of Tobias his son, and he blessed her and said to her, “Come in, in good health, daughter, and blessed be your God, who has brought you to us, daughter. And blessed be your father ^band your mother^b, and blessed be Tobias my son, and blessed be you, daughter. Come into your house in good health, with blessing and joy. Come in, daughter.” On that day there was joy among all the Judeans who were in Nineue. ¹⁸And Achikar and Nabad his nephews came rejoicing to Tobis.	16 Then Tobit went out to the gate of Nineue to meet his daughter-in-law, rejoicing and blessing God. Now those who saw him walking were amazed because he could see. ¹⁷And Tobit acknowledged before them that God had been merciful to him. Now when Tobit approached Sarra his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, “Come, in good health, daughter! Blessed be God, who has brought you to us, and blessed be your father and your mother.” And there was joy among all his relatives in Nineue. ¹⁸Also Achiacharos and Nasbas his nephew came. ¹⁹Then the wedding feast of Tobias was held with rejoicing for seven days.
12 Now when the wedding feast was ended, Tobith called Tobias his son and said to him, “My child, see that you give the wages to the man who went with you, even add to his wages.” ²So he said to him, “Father, how much shall I give him as his wages? It would do me no harm to give him half of the possessions he brought back with me. ³He has led me back in good health and cured my wife and brought the silver with me, and he healed you. How much shall I still give him as wages?” ⁴Then Tobis said to him, “It is his right, my child, to take half of all that he came back with.” ⁵So he called him and said, “Take half of all that you came back with for your wages, and go away in good health.”	12 Then Tobit called Tobias his son and said to him, “My child, see to the wages for the man who traveled with you, and something must be added for him.” ²So he said to him, “Father, it would do me no harm to give him half of what I have brought back. ³For he has led me back to you safely and cured my wife, and he brought my silver, and he also healed you.” ⁴Then the old man said, “It is his right.” ⁵So he called the angel and said to him, “Take half of all that you have brought back.”
6 Then he called the two in secret and said to them, “Bless God, and before all the living acknowledge him for the good things he has done for you. Bless, and sing praise to his name. The words of God declare with honor to all people. And do not hesitate to acknowledge him. ⁷It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal and acknowledge honorably the works of God. Do what is good, and evil will not overtake you. ⁸Prayer is good with fasting^a, but almsgiving with righteousness is more than wealth with injustice. It is better to give alms rather than to store up gold. ⁹Almsgiving delivers from death, and it purges away every sin. Those who give alms will enjoy life to the full. ¹⁰Those who commit sin and injustice are enemies of their own self.	6 Then calling the two in secret, he said to them, “Bless God, and acknowledge him, and magnify him, and before all the living acknowledge him concerning the things he has done for you. It is good to bless God and to exalt his name, declaring with honor the words of the works of God. And do not hesitate to acknowledge him. ⁷It is good to conceal the secret of a king but to reveal gloriously the works of God. Do good, and evil will not overtake you. ⁸Prayer is good with fasting and almsgiving and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with injustice. It is better to give alms than to store up gold. ⁹For almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin. Those who practice almsgiving and righteousness will have fullness of life, ¹⁰but those who sin are enemies of their own life.
11 “I shall declare the whole truth to you, and I will not conceal any word from you. Already I declared to you and said, ‘It is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God.’ ¹²So now when you and Sarra prayed, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the glory of the Lord and did likewise when you would bury the dead. ¹³And when you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner and when you went and buried the dead, ¹⁴then I was sent to you to test you. And at the same time God sent me to heal you and Sarra your daughter-in-law. ¹⁵I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who approach and enter before the glory of the Lord.”	11 “I will not conceal any word from you. I have indeed said, ‘It is good to conceal the secret of a king but to reveal gloriously the works of God.’ ¹²And now when you and your daughter-in-law Sarra prayed, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the Holy One, and when you would bury the dead, I was likewise present with you. ¹³And when you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner to go out and bury the dead, the good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you. ¹⁴So now God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarra. ¹⁵I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the holy ones and enter before the glory of the Holy One.”
16 Then they were both troubled, and they fell on their face, and they were afraid. ¹⁷But he said to them, “Do not be afraid; peace be with you. Bless God forevermore. ¹⁸As for me, when I was with you, not by my grace was I with you, but by the will of God. Bless him each and every day; sing his praises. ¹⁹Now you were watching me; I did not eat anything, but a vision was being seen by you. ²⁰So bless the Lord on the earth and acknowledge God. Behold, I am ascending to him who sent me. Write down all these things that have happened to you.” And he ascended. ²¹Then they stood up, and they could see him no longer. ²²And they blessed and sang praises to God, and they acknowledged God for these marvelous deeds of his, when an angel of God had appeared to them.	16 Then they were both troubled, and they fell face forward, for they were afraid. ¹⁷But he said to them, “Do not be afraid; you will have peace. But bless God forever. ¹⁸For not by my grace, but by the will of our God have I come. Therefore, bless him forever. ¹⁹All the days I appeared to you, but I did not eat or drink; rather, you were seeing a vision. ²⁰So now acknowledge God, for I am ascending to him who sent me. And write in a book all the things that have been accomplished.” ²¹Then they stood up, and they saw him no longer. ²²So they acknowledged the great works and wonders of God, especially when the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.
13 Then he said: “Blessed be God who lives forever, and blessed be his kingdom. ² For he afflicts, and he shows mercy; he leads down to Hades in the lowest part of the earth, and he brings up from the great destruction, and there is nothing that will escape his hand.	13 Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing and said: “Blessed be God who lives forever, and blessed be his kingdom. ² For he afflicts, and he shows mercy; he leads down to Hades and brings up, and there is no one who will escape his hand.
³ Acknowledge him, O sons of Israel, before the nations, for he has scattered you among them. ⁴ Even there he has shown you his greatness; so exalt him in the presence of all the living, because he is our Lord and he is our God, and he is our Father and he is God for all the ages. ⁵ He will afflict you for your injustices, and he will show mercy on all of you from all the nations among whom you have been scattered. ⁶ When you turn back to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him, then he will turn back to you and will no longer hide his face from you. And now see what he has done with you, and acknowledge him with full voice. And bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the king of the ages …	³ Acknowledge him, O sons of Israel, before the nations, for he has scattered us among them. ⁴ There show forth his greatness; exalt him in the presence of all the living, because he is our Lord and God; he is our Father for all the ages. ⁵ And he will afflict us for our injustices, and again he will show mercy, and he will gather us from all the nations among whom you have been scattered. ⁶ If you turn back to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him, then he will turn back to you and will not hide his face from you. And see what he will do with you, and acknowledge him with full voice. And bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the king of the ages. In the land of my captivity I acknowledge him, and I show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners. Turn back, you sinners, and do what is just before him; who knows if he will take delight in you and grant mercy to you?
	⁷ I exalt my God, and my soul exalts the king of heaven, and it will rejoice in his majesty. ⁸ Let all speak and acknowledge him in Hierosolyma. ⁹ O Hierosolyma, holy city, he will afflict you for the works of your sons, but again he will show mercy to the sons of the righteous.
¹⁰ and again your tent will be built in you with joy. And may he gladden within you all those who are captives and love within you all those who are distressed, for all the generations of the age. ¹¹ A bright light will shine to all the ends of the earth; many nations from far away will come to you, the inhabitants of all the remote parts of the earth to your holy name, also bearing their gifts in their hands for the king of heaven. Generations of generations will give joyful worship in you, and the name of the chosen one will last for the generations of the world.	¹⁰ Acknowledge the Lord well, and bless the king of the ages that again his tent may be built in you with joy. And may he gladden within you those who are captives and love within you those who are distressed, for all the generations of the age. ¹¹ Many nations from far away will come to the name of the Lord God, bearing gifts in their hands, yes, gifts for the king of heaven. Generations of generations will give you great joy.
¹² Cursed are all who speak a harsh word; cursed will be all who cast you down and pull down your walls and all who overthrow your towers and set your homes on fire. But blessed forever will be those who fear you.	¹² Cursed are all who hate you; blessed forever will be all who love you.
¹³ Then go, and rejoice before the sons of the righteous, for they all will be gathered together and will bless the Lord of the age. ¹⁴ Happy are those who love you, and happy are those who will rejoice in your peace. And happy are all the people who will grieve over you, over all your afflictions, for they will rejoice over you and see all your joy forever. 15 ^aMy soul blesses^a the Lord, the great king. ¹⁶ For Ierousalem will be built as a city, as his house for all the ages. Happy shall I be if a remnant of my seed should be present to see your glory and to acknowledge the king of heaven. And the gates of Ierousalem will be built with lapis lazuli and emerald, and all your walls with precious stone. The towers of Ierousalem will be built with gold, and their battlements with pure gold.	¹³ Rejoice and be glad over the sons of the righteous, for they will be gathered together and will bless the Lord of the righteous. ¹⁴ O, happy are those who love you; they will rejoice in your peace. Happy are those who grieved over all your afflictions, for they will rejoice over you upon seeing all your glory, and they will be made glad forever. ¹⁵ Let my soul bless God, the great king. ¹⁶ For Ierousalem will be built with lapis lazuli and emerald, and your walls with precious stone, and the towers and battlements with pure gold.
¹⁷ The streets of Ierousalem will be paved with ruby and stone of Souphir. ¹⁸ And the gates of Ierousalem will say hymns of joy, and all her houses will say, ‘Hallelouia! Blessed be the God of Israel!’ And the blessed will bless his holy name forever and ever.”	¹⁷ And the streets of Ierousalem will be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stone from Souphir. ¹⁸ And all her lanes will say ‘Hallelouia!’ and will give praise, saying, ‘Blessed be God, who has exalted all the ages.’ ”
14 Then the words of Tobith’s praise were completed.	14 And Tobit stopped praising.
And he died in peace at one hundred twelve years, and he was buried with honor in Nineue. ²Now he was sixty-two years old when he became maimed in his eyes, and after he saw again he lived in prosperity and gave alms. And he still continued to bless God and to acknowledge the majesty of God.	² Now he was fifty-eight years old when he lost his eyes, and after eight years he saw again. And he gave alms, and he continued to fear the Lord God and to acknowledge him.
3 Now when he was about to die, he called Tobias his son and commanded him, saying: “My child, take your children, ⁴and hurry off into Media, for I believe the word of God about Nineue, the things Naoum spoke, that all these things will come about and happen to Athour and Nineue. Also everything that the prophets of Israel spoke, those whom God sent, will happen. And not one of all their words will fail, but all will come true at their appointed times. So in Media there will be safety rather than among the Assyrians or in Babylon. For I know and believe that all things that God said will be fulfilled and will come to pass, and no utterance of his words shall fail. And our kindred, who live in the land of Israel, all will be scattered and taken as captives from the good land, and the whole land of Israel will be desolate, even Samaria and Ierousalem will be desolate. And the house of God will be in grief and will be burned down for a time.	3 Then he became very old; so he called his son and the six sons of his son, and he said to him, “My child, take your sons; behold, I have become old and am about to depart from life. ⁴Go into Media, my child, for I trust what Ionas the prophet said about Nineue, that it will be overthrown. But in Media there will be peace till an appointed time. And our kindred will be scattered over the earth from the good land, and Hierosolyma will be desolate. And the house of God in it will be burned down and will be desolate for a time.
5 “But again God will have mercy on them, and God will bring them back into the land of Israel, and again they will build the house, but not like the first one, until the time when the time of the appointed times will be completed. Then after this they all will return from their captivity, and they will build Ierousalem honorably. And the house of God will be built in it, just as the prophets of Israel said concerning it. ⁶Then all the nations in the whole world will turn back and truly fear God. And all will abandon their idols, which deceitfully have made them err in their error. ⁷And they will bless the God of the ages in righteousness. All the sons of Israel who are saved in those days, mindful of God in truth, will be gathered together. And they will go into Ierousalem and live forever in the land of Abraam with security, and it will be given over to them. And those who love God in truth will rejoice, but those who commit sin and injustice will vanish from all the earth.	5 “But again God will have mercy on them, and he will bring them back into the land, and they will build the house, not like the former one, until the appointed times of the age will be completed. Then after this they will return from their captivities, and they will build Ierousalem honorably. And the house of God will be built in it as a glorious building for all the generations of the age, just as the prophets said concerning it. ⁶Then all the nations will turn back truly to fear the Lord God, and they will bury their idols. ⁷And all the nations will bless the Lord, and his people will acknowledge God, and the Lord will exalt his people. And all who love the Lord God in truth and righteousness will rejoice, showing mercy to our kindred.
8-9 “So now, my children, I command you, serve God in truth, and do what is pleasing before him. Also your children are to be commanded to practice righteousness and almsgiving and to be mindful of God and bless his name at every moment in truth and with all their strength. “So now, my child, go out from Nineue, and do not remain here. ¹⁰On the day you bury your mother with me, on that day do not spend the night within its borders. For I see that there is much injustice within it and that much deceit is accomplished within it, and they are not ashamed. See, my child, what Nadab did to Achikaros who had reared him. Was he not, while still alive, brought down into the earth? And God repaid the dishonor to his face. Now Achikaros came out into the light, but Nadab went into the everlasting darkness, because he sought to kill Achikaros. Because he gave alms, he came out of the death trap that Nadab had set for him, but Nadab fell into the death trap himself, and it destroyed him. ¹¹So now, my children, see what almsgiving does and what injustice does: it kills! But behold, my soul is about to leave.” Then they laid him on the bed, and he died, and he was buried honorably.	8 “So now, my child, go away from Nineue, because what the prophet Ionas said will surely happen. ⁹But you, keep the law and the ordinances, and be merciful and just so that it may go well with you. ¹⁰And bury me properly, and your mother with me. And no longer spend the night in Nineue. My child, see what Haman did to Achiacharos who had reared him, how he brought him from the light into the darkness and with what he repaid him. Yet Achiacharos was saved, but that other one received his requital; indeed he himself went down into the darkness. Manasses gave alms and was saved from the death trap that they had set for him, but Haman fell into the trap and perished. ¹¹So now, my children, see what almsgiving does and how righteousness delivers.” And as he said these things in his bed his soul left him. Now he was one hundred fifty-eight years old, and he buried him honorably.
12 And when his mother died, Tobias buried her with his father. Then he and his wife went away to Media and dwelled in Ecbatana with Ragouelos his father-in-law. ¹³He tended to them respectfully in their old age, and he buried them at Ecbatana in Media. Then he inherited the house of Ragouelos and that of Tobith his father.	12 And when Hanna died, he buried her with his father. Then Tobias went away with his wife and his sons to Ecbatana to Ragouel his father-in-law. ¹³And he grew old honorably, and he buried his parents-in-law honorably. Then he inherited their property and that of Tobit his father.
14 Then he died honorably at the age of one hundred seventeen years. ¹⁵And before he died he saw and heard of the destruction of Nineue, and he saw its captivity being led into Media, which Achiacharos, the king of Media, had taken captive. And he blessed God for all the things that he had done to the sons of Nineue and Athouria; before he died he rejoiced over Nineue, and he blessed the Lord God forever and ever. Amen^a.	14 Then he died at the age of one hundred twenty-seven years at Ecbatana in Media. ¹⁵But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineue, which Nabouchodonosor and Asoueros had captured. Before he died he rejoiced over Nineue.

See Joseph A. Fitzmyer, “Tobit,” in Qumran Cave 4 · XIV Parabiblical Texts Part 2 (Magen Broshi, et al., eds.; DJD XIX; Oxford: Clarendon, 1995) 44, line 17.

B. P. Grenfeld and A. S. Hunt, eds., The Oxyrhynchus Papyri: Part VIII (London: Egypt Exploration Society, 1911) 13.1–6.

Ibid., 6–9.

Hanhart, Tobit, 33.

Robert Hanhart, Text und Textgeschichte des Buches Tobit (Abhandlungen der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Göttingen, 3/139; MSU 17; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1984) 21–37.

Fitzmyer, “Tobit,” 2. Fitzmyer (“The Aramaic and Hebrew Fragments of Tobit from Qumran Cave 4,” CBQ 57 [1995] 675) writes that the Qumran fragments preserve “perhaps not more than a fifth of the original Semitic texts,” and then he adds that “there is little in [these fragments] that is radically new, or different from the form of the story in either [Sinaiticus] or the VL.” He dates (Ibid., 655–657) the copies of these fragments from roughly 100 BCE to CE 50.

Carey A. Moore, Tobit: A New Translation and Commentary (AB 40A; New York: Doubleday, 1996).

Paul Deselaers, Das Buch Tobit: Studien zu seiner Entstehung, Komposition und Theologie (OBO 43; Freiburg: Universitätsverlag, 1982). See the critical review of Deselaers by Irene Nowell, CBQ 46 (1984) 306–307.

Heinrich Gross, Tobit. Judith (Die Neue Echter Bibel: Kommentar zum Alten Testament mit der Einheitsübersetzung 19; Würzburg: Echter Verlag, 1987).

Hanhart, Tobit, 33.

Textual Notes on the New American Bible (Paterson, NJ: St. Anthony’s Guild, 1970) 366–369.

See Moore, Tobit, 99–100.

Similar cases are the personal name Sirach, a transliteration of Hebrew

(Sir 50.27), and the place name

, a transliteration of Aramaic

(Acts 1.19).

Aram/Heb = south

+ the road = Ha

Aram/Heb = north

Aram/Heb = south

songs = Ha

= Ha

Om = Ha

he = Ha

Possibly make a binding agreement with me

upward into the parts = Ha

said to him = Ha

put them together = Ha

Go to your father-in-law = Ha

Gk uncertain

Om = Ha

truth = Ha

Or O my soul, bless = Ha

Om = Ha

TOBITTO THE READER

EDITION OF THE GREEK TEXTS

THE TWO GREEK VERSIONS

Attestation

Priority

A Third Version

APPROACH TO THE GREEK TEXT

Synoptic Rendering

Recent Translations

The NETS Translations of Tobit

The Names of the Protagonist(s)

TOBIT
TO THE READER