GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:67urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:67The book of the words of Tobit , son of Tobiel , the son of Ananiel , the son of Aduel , the son of Gabael , of the seed of Asael , of the tribe of Nephthali ; Who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe , which is at the right hand of that city , which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser . I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice , and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren , and my nation , who came with me to Nineve , into the land of the Assyrians . And when I was in mine own country , in the land of Israel being but young , all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem , which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel , that all the tribes should sacrifice there , where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages . Now all the tribes which together revolted , and the house of my father Nephthali , sacrificed unto the heifer Baal . But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts , as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree , having the firstfruits and tenths of increase , with that which was first shorn ; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron . The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron , who ministered at Jerusalem : another tenth part I sold away , and went , and spent it every year at Jerusalem : And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet , as Debora my father's mother had commanded me , because I was left an orphan by my father . Furthermore , when I was come to the age of a man , I married Anna of mine own kindred , and of her I begat Tobias . And when we were carried away captives to Nineve , all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles . But I kept myself from eating ; Because I remembered God with all my heart . And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar , so that I was his purveyor . And I went into Media , and left in trust with Gabael , the brother of Gabrias , at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver . Now when Enemessar was dead , Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead ; whose estate was troubled , that I could not go into Media . And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren , and gave my bread to the hungry , And my clothes to the naked : and if I saw any of my nation dead , or cast about the walls of Nineve , I buried him . And if the king Sennacherib had slain any , when he was come , and fled from Judea , I buried them privily ; for in his wrath he killed many ; but the bodies were not found , when they were sought for of the king . And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king , that I buried them , and hid myself ; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death , I withdrew myself for fear . Then all my goods were forcibly taken away , neither was there any thing left me , beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias . And there passed not five and fifty days , before two of his sons killed him , and they fled into the mountains of Ararath ; and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead ; who appointed over his father's accounts , and over all his affairs , Achiacharus my brother Anael's son . And Achiacharus intreating for me , I returned to Nineve . Now Achiacharus was cupbearer , and keeper of the signet , and steward , and overseer of the accounts : and Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him : and he was my brother's son . Now when I was come home again , and my wife Anna was restored unto me , with my son Tobias , in the feast of Pentecost , which is the holy feast of the seven weeks , there was a good dinner prepared me , in the which I sat down to eat . And when I saw abundance of meat , I said to my son , Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our brethren , who is mindful of the Lord ; and , lo , I tarry for thee . But he came again , and said , Father , one of our nation is strangled , and is cast out in the marketplace . Then before I had tasted of any meat , I started up , and took him up into a room until the going down of the sun . Then I returned , and washed myself , and ate my meat in heaviness , Remembering that prophecy of Amos , as he said , Your feasts shall be turned into mourning , and all your mirth into lamentation . Therefore I wept : and after the going down of the sun I went and made a grave , and buried him . But my neighbours mocked me , and said , This man is not yet afraid to be put to death for this matter : who fled away ; and yet , lo , he burieth the dead again . The same night also I returned from the burial , and slept by the wall of my courtyard , being polluted and my face was uncovered : And I knew not that there were sparrows in the wall , and mine eyes being open , the sparrows muted warm dung into mine eyes , and a whiteness came in mine eyes : and I went to the physicians , but they helped me not : moreover Achiacharus did nourish me , until I went into Elymais . And my wife Anna did take women's works to do . And when she had sent them home to the owners , they paid her wages , and gave her also besides a kid . And when it was in my house , and began to cry , I said unto her , From whence is this kid ? is it not stolen ? render it to the owners ; for it is not lawful to eat any thing that is stolen . But she replied upon me , It was given for a gift more than the wages . Howbeit I did not believe her , but bade her render it to the owners : and I was abashed at her . But she replied upon me , Where are thine alms and thy righteous deeds ? behold , thou and all thy works are known . Then I being grieved did weep , and in my sorrow prayed , saying , O Lord , thou art just , and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth , and thou judgest truly and justly for ever . Remember me , and look on me , punish me not for my sins and ignorances , and the sins of mg fathers , who have sinned before thee : For they obeyed not thy commandments : wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil , and unto captivity , and unto death , and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed . And now thy judgments are many and true : deal with me according to my sins and my fathers' : because we have not kept thy commandments , neither have walked in truth before thee . Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee , and command my spirit to be taken from me , that I may be dissolved , and become earth : for it is profitable for me to die rather than to live , because I have heard false reproaches , and have much sorrow : command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress , and go into the everlasting place : turn not thy face away from me . It came to pass the same day , that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her father's maids ; Because that she had been married to seven husbands , whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed , before they had lain with her . Dost thou not know , said they , that thou hast strangled thine husbands ? thou hast had already seven husbands , neither wast thou named after any of them . Wherefore dost thou beat us for them ? if they be dead , go thy ways after them , let us never see of thee either son or daughter . Whe she heard these things , she was very sorrowful , so that she thought to have strangled herself ; and she said , I am the only daughter of my father , and if I do this , it shall be a reproach unto him , and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave . Then she prayed toward the window , and said , Blessed art thou , O Lord my God , and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever : let all thy works praise thee for ever . And now , O Lord , I set I mine eyes and my face toward thee , And say , Take me out of the earth , that I may hear no more the reproach . Thou knowest , Lord , that I am pure from all sin with man , And that I never polluted my name , nor the name of my father , in the land of my captivity : I am the only daughter of my father , neither hath he any child to be his heir , neither any near kinsman , nor any son of his alive , to whom I may keep myself for a wife : my seven husbands are already dead ; and why should I live ? but if it please not thee that I should die , command some regard to be had of me , and pity taken of me , that I hear no more reproach . So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God . And Raphael was sent to heal them both , that is , to scale away the whiteness of Tobit's eyes , and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit ; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit ; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance . The selfsame time came Tobit home , and entered into his house , and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber . In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media , And said with himself , I have wished for death ; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to him of the money before I die ? And when he had called him , he said , My son , when I am dead , bury me ; and despise not thy mother , but honour her all the days of thy life , and do that which shall please her , and grieve her not . Remember , my son , that she saw many dangers for thee , when thou wast in her womb : and when she is dead , bury her by me in one grave . My son , be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days , and let not thy will be set to sin , or to transgress his commandments : do uprightly all thy life long , and follow not the ways of unrighteousness . For if thou deal truly , thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee , and to all them that live justly . Give alms of thy substance ; and when thou givest alms , let not thine eye be envious , neither turn thy face from any poor , and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee . If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly : if thou have but a little , be not afraid to give according to that little : For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity . Because that alms do deliver from death , and suffereth not to come into darkness . For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High . Beware of all whoredom , my son , and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers , and take not a strange woman to wife , which is not of thy father's tribe : for we are the children of the prophets , Noe , Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob : remember , my son , that our fathers from the beginning , even that they all married wives of their own kindred , and were blessed in their children , and their seed shall inherit the land . Now therefore , my son , love thy brethren , and despise not in thy heart thy brethren , the sons and daughters of thy people , in not taking a wife of them : for in pride is destruction and much trouble , and in lewdness is decay and great want : for lewdness is the mother of famine . Let not the wages of any man , which hath wrought for thee , tarry with thee , but give him it out of hand : for if thou serve God , he will also repay thee : be circumspect my son , in all things thou doest , and be wise in all thy conversation . Do that to no man which thou hatest : drink not wine to make thee drunken : neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey . Give of thy bread to the hungry , and of thy garments to them that are naked ; and according to thine abundance give alms : and let not thine eye be envious , when thou givest alms . Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just , but give nothing to the wicked . Ask counsel of all that are wise , and despise not any counsel that is profitable . Bless the Lord thy God alway , and desire of him that thy ways may be directed , and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper : for every nation hath not counsel ; but the Lord himself giveth all good things , and he humbleth whom he will , as he will ; now therefore , my son , remember my commandments , neither let them be put out of thy mind . And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media . And fear not , my son , that we are made poor : for thou hast much wealth , if thou fear God , and depart from all sin , and do that which is pleasing in his sight . Tobias then answered and said , Father , I will do all things which thou hast commanded me : But how can I receive the money , seeing I know him not ? Then he gave him the handwriting , and said unto him , Seek thee a man which may go with thee , whiles I yet live , and I will give him wages : and go and receive the money . Therefore when he went to seek a man , he found Raphael that was an angel . But he knew not ; and he said unto him , Canst thou go with me to Rages ? and knowest thou those places well ? To whom the angel said , I will go with thee , and I know the way well : for I have lodged with our brother Gabael . Then Tobias said unto him , Tarry for me , till I tell my father . Then he said unto him , Go and tarry not . So he went in and said to his father , Behold , I have found one which will go with me . Then he said , Call him unto me , that I may know of what tribe he is , and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee . So he called him , and he came in , and they saluted one another . Then Tobit said unto him , Brother , shew me of what tribe and family thou art . To whom he said , Dost thou seek for a tribe or family , or an hired man to go with thy son ? Then Tobit said unto him , I would know , brother , thy kindred and name . Then he said , I am Azarias , the son of Ananias the great , and of thy brethren . Then Tobit said , Thou art welcome , brother ; be not now angry with me , because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family ; for thou art my brother , of an honest and good stock : for I know Ananias and Jonathas , sons of that great Samaias , as we went together to Jerusalem to worship , and offered the firstborn , and the tenths of the fruits ; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren : my brother , thou art of a good stock . But tell me , what wages shall I give thee ? wilt thou a drachm a day , and things necessary , as to mine own son ? Yea , moreover , if ye return safe , I will add something to thy wages . So they were well pleased . Then said he to Tobias , Prepare thyself for the journey , and God send you a good journey . And when his son had prepared all things far the journey , his father said , Go thou with this man , and God , which dwelleth in heaven , prosper your journey , and the angel of God keep you company . So they went forth both , and the young man's dog with them . But Anna his mother wept , and said to Tobit , Why hast thou sent away our son ? is he not the staff of our hand , in going in and out before us ? Be not greedy to add money to money : but let it be as refuse in respect of our child . For that which the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us . Then said Tobit to her , Take no care , my sister ; he shall return in safety , and thine eyes shall see him . For the good angel will keep him company , and his journey shall be prosperous , and he shall return safe . Then she made an end of weeping . And as they went on their journey , they came in the evening to the river Tigris , and they lodged there . And when the young man went down to wash himself , a fish leaped out of the river , and would have devoured him . Then the angel said unto him , Take the fish . And the young man laid hold of the fish , and drew it to land . To whom the angel said , Open the fish , and take the heart and the liver and the gall , and put them up safely . So the young man did as the angel commanded him ; and when they had roasted the fish , they did eat it : then they both went on their way , till they drew near to Ecbatane . Then the young man said to the angel , Brother Azarias , to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish ? And he said unto him , Touching the heart and the liver , if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any , we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman , and the party shall be no more vexed . As for the gall , it is good to anoint a man that hath whiteness in his eyes , and he shall be healed . And when they were come near to Rages , The angel said to the young man , Brother , to day we shall lodge with Raguel , who is thy cousin ; he also hath one only daughter , named Sara ; I will speak for her , that she may be given thee for a wife . For to thee doth the right of her appertain , seeing thou only art of her kindred . And the maid is fair and wise : now therefore hear me , and I will speak to her father ; and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage : for I know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the law of Moses , but he shall be guilty of death , because the right of inheritance doth rather appertain to thee than to any other . Then the young man answered the angel , I have heard , brother Azarias that this maid hath been given to seven men , who all died in the marriage chamber . And now I am the only son of my father , and I am afraid , lest if I go in unto her , I die , as the other before : for a wicked spirit loveth her , which hurteth no body , but those which come unto her ; wherefore I also fear lest I die , and bring my father's and my mother's life because of me to the grave with sorrow : for they have no other son to bury them . Then the angel said unto him , Dost thou not remember the precepts which thy father gave thee , that thou shouldest marry a wife of thine own kindred ? wherefore hear me , O my brother ; for she shall be given thee to wife ; and make thou no reckoning of the evil spirit ; for this same night shall she be given thee in marriage . And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber , thou shalt take the ashes of perfume , and shalt lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish , and shalt make a smoke with it : And the devil shall smell it , and flee away , and never come again any more : but when thou shalt come to her , rise up both of you , and pray to God which is merciful , who will have pity on you , and save you : fear not , for she is appointed unto thee from the beginning ; and thou shalt preserve her , and she shall go with thee . Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee children . Now when Tobias had heard these things , he loved her , and his heart was effectually joined to her . And when they were come to Ecbatane , they came to the house of Raguel , and Sara met them : and after they had saluted one another , she brought them into the house . Then said Raguel to Edna his wife , How like is this young man to Tobit my cousin ! And Raguel asked them , From whence are ye , brethren ? To whom they said , We are of the sons of Nephthalim , which are captives in Nineve . Then he said to them , Do ye know Tobit our kinsman ? And they said , We know him . Then said he , Is he in good health ? And they said , He is both alive , and in good health : and Tobias said , He is my father . Then Raguel leaped up , and kissed him , and wept , And blessed him , and said unto him , Thou art the son of an honest and good man . But when he had heard that Tobit was blind , he was sorrowful , and wept . And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept . Moreover they entertained them cheerfully ; and after that they had killed a ram of the flock , they set store of meat on the table . Then said Tobias to Raphael , Brother Azarias , speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way , and let this business be dispatched . So he communicated the matter with Raguel : and Raguel said to Tobias , Eat and drink , and make merry : For it is meet that thou shouldest marry my daughter : nevertheless I will declare unto thee the truth . I have given my daughter in marriage te seven men , who died that night they came in unto her : nevertheless for the present be merry . But Tobias said , I will eat nothing here , till we agree and swear one to another . Raguel said , Then take her from henceforth according to the manner , for thou art her cousin , and she is thine , and the merciful God give you good success in all things . Then he called his daughter Sara , and she came to her father , and he took her by the hand , and gave her to be wife to Tobias , saying , Behold , take her after the law of Moses , and lead her away to thy father . And he blessed them ; And called Edna his wife , and took paper , and did write an instrument of covenants , and sealed it . Then they began to eat . After Raguel called his wife Edna , and said unto her , Sister , prepare another chamber , and bring her in thither . Which when she had done as he had bidden her , she brought her thither : and she wept , and she received the tears of her daughter , and said unto her , Be of good comfort , my daughter ; the Lord of heaven and earth give thee joy for this thy sorrow : be of good comfort , my daughter . And when they had supped , they brought Tobias in unto her . And as he went , he remembered the words of Raphael , and took the ashes of the perfumes , and put the heart and the liver of the fish thereupon , and made a smoke therewith . The which smell when the evil spirit had smelled , he fled into the utmost parts of Egypt , and the angel bound him . And after that they were both shut in together , Tobias rose out of the bed , and said , Sister , arise , and let us pray that God would have pity on us . Then began Tobias to say , Blessed art thou , O God of our fathers , and blessed is thy holy and glorious name for ever ; let the heavens bless thee , and all thy creatures . Thou madest Adam , and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay : of them came mankind : thou hast said , It is not good that man should be alone ; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself . And now , O Lord , I take not this my sister for lush but uprightly : therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together . And she said with him , Amen . So they slept both that night . And Raguel arose , and went and made a grave , Saying , I fear lest he also be dead . But when Raguel was come into his house , He said unto his wife Edna . Send one of the maids , and let her see whether he be alive : if he be not , that we may bury him , and no man know it . So the maid opened the door , and went in , and found them both asleep , And came forth , and told them that he was alive . Then Raguel praised God , and said , O God , thou art worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise ; therefore let thy saints praise thee with all thy creatures ; and let all thine angels and thine elect praise thee for ever . Thou art to be praised , for thou hast made me joyful ; and that is not come to me which I suspected ; but thou hast dealt with us according to thy great mercy . Thou art to be praised because thou hast had mercy of two that were the only begotten children of their fathers : grant them mercy , O Lord , and finish their life in health with joy and mercy . Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave . And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days . For before the days of the marriage were finished , Raguel had said unto him by an oath , that he should not depart till the fourteen days of the marriage were expired ; And then he should take the half of his goods , and go in safety to his father ; and should have the rest when I and my wife be dead . Then Tobias called Raphael , and said unto him , Brother Azarias , take with thee a servant , and two camels , and go to Rages of Media to Gabael , and bring me the money , and bring him to the wedding . For Raguel hath sworn that I shall not depart . But my father counteth the days ; and if I tarry long , he will be very sorry . So Raphael went out , and lodged with Gabael , and gave him the handwriting : who brought forth bags which were sealed up , and gave them to him . And early in the morning they went forth both together , and came to the wedding : and Tobias blessed his wife . Now Tobit his father counted every day : and when the days of the journey were expired , and they came not , Then Tobit said , Are they detained ? or is Gabael dead , and there is no man to give him the money ? Therefore he was very sorry . Then his wife said unto him , My son is dead , seeing he stayeth long ; and she began to wail him , and said , Now I care for nothing , my son , since I have let thee go , the light of mine eyes . To whom Tobit said , Hold thy peace , take no care , for he is safe . But she said , Hold thy peace , and deceive me not ; my son is dead . And she went out every day into the way which they went , and did eat no meat on the daytime , and ceased not whole nights to bewail her son Tobias , until the fourteen days of the wedding were expired , which Raguel had sworn that he should spend there . Then Tobias said to Raguel , Let me go , for my father and my mother look no more to see me . But his father in law said unto him , Tarry with me , and I will send to thy father , and they shall declare unto him how things go with thee . But Tobias said , No ; but let me go to my father . Then Raguel arose , and gave him Sara his wife , and half his goods , servants , and cattle , and money : And he blessed them , and sent them away , saying , The God of heaven give you a prosperous journey , my children . And he said to his daughter , Honour thy father and thy mother in law , which are now thy parents , that I may hear good report of thee . And he kissed her . Edna also said to Tobias , The Lord of heaven restore thee , my dear brother , and grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sara before I die , that I may rejoice before the Lord : behold , I commit my daughter unto thee of special trust ; where are do not entreat her evil . After these things Tobias went his way , praising God that he had given him a prosperous journey , and blessed Raguel and Edna his wife , and went on his way till they drew near unto Nineve . Then Raphael said to Tobias , Thou knowest , brother , how thou didst leave thy father : Let us haste before thy wife , and prepare the house . And take in thine hand the gall of the fish . So they went their way , and the dog went after them . Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son . And when she espied him coming , she said to his father , Behold , thy son cometh , and the man that went with him . Then said Raphael , I know , Tobias , that thy father will open his eyes . Therefore anoint thou his eyes with the gall , and being pricked therewith , he shall rub , and the whiteness shall fall away , and he shall see thee . Then Anna ran forth , and fell upon the neck of her son , and said unto him , Seeing I have seen thee , my son , from henceforth I am content to die . And they wept both . Tobit also went forth toward the door , and stumbled : but his son ran unto him , And took hold of his father : and he strake of the gall on his fathers' eyes , saying , Be of good hope , my father . And when his eyes began to smart , he rubbed them ; And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his eyes : and when he saw his son , he fell upon his neck . And he wept , and said , Blessed art thou , O God , and blessed is thy name for ever ; and blessed are all thine holy angels : For thou hast scourged , and hast taken pity on me : for , behold , I see my son Tobias . And his son went in rejoicing , and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media . Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at the gate of Nineve , rejoicing and praising God : and they which saw him go marvelled , because he had received his sight . But Tobias gave thanks before them , because God had mercy on him . And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law , he blessed her , saying , Thou art welcome , daughter : God be blessed , which hath brought thee unto us , and blessed be thy father and thy mother . And there was joy among all his brethren which were at Nineve . And Achiacharus , and Nasbas his brother's son , came : And Tobias' wedding was kept seven days with great joy . Then Tobit called his son Tobias , and said unto him , My son , see that the man have his wages , which went with thee , and thou must give him more . And Tobias said unto him , O father , it is no harm to me to give him half of those things which I have brought : For he hath brought me again to thee in safety , and made whole my wife , and brought me the money , and likewise healed thee . Then the old man said , It is due unto him . So he called the angel , and he said unto him , Take half of all that ye have brought and go away in safety . Then he took them both apart , and said unto them , Bless God , praise him , and magnify him , and praise him for the things which he hath done unto you in the sight of all that live . It is good to praise God , and exalt his name , and honourably to shew forth the works of God ; therefore be not slack to praise him . It is good to keep close the secret of a king , but it is honourable to reveal the works of God . Do that which is good , and no evil shall touch you . Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness . A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness . It is better to give alms than to lay up gold : For alms doth deliver from death , and shall purge away all sin . Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life : But they that sin are enemies to their own life . Surely I will keep close nothing from you . For I said , It was good to keep close the secret of a king , but that it was honourable to reveal the works of God . Now therefore , when thou didst pray , and Sara thy daughter in law , I did bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One : and when thou didst bury the dead , I was with thee likewise . And when thou didst not delay to rise up , and leave thy dinner , to go and cover the dead , thy good deed was not hid from me : but I was with thee . And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy daughter in law . I am Raphael , one of the seven holy angels , which present the prayers of the saints , and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One . Then they were both troubled , and fell upon their faces : for they feared . But he said unto them , Fear not , for it shall go well with you ; praise God therefore . For not of any favour of mine , but by the will of our God I came ; wherefore praise him for ever . All these days I did appear unto you ; but I did neither eat nor drink , but ye did see a vision . Now therefore give God thanks : for I go up to him that sent me ; but write all things which are done in a book . And when they arose , they saw him no more . Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of God , and how the angel of the Lord had appeared unto them . Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing , and said , Blessed be God that liveth for ever , and blessed be his kingdom . For he doth scourge , and hath mercy : he leadeth down to hell , and bringeth up again : neither is there any that can avoid his hand . Confess him before the Gentiles , ye children of Israel : for he hath scattered us among them . There declare his greatness , and extol him before all the living : for he is our Lord , and he is the God our Father for ever . And he will scourge us for our iniquities , and will have mercy again , and will gather us out of all nations , among whom he hath scattered us . If ye turn to him with your whole heart , and with your whole mind , and deal uprightly before him , then will he turn unto you , and will not hide his face from you . Therefore see what he will do with you , and confess him with your whole mouth , and praise the Lord of might , and extol the everlasting King . In the land of my captivity do I praise him , and declare his might and majesty to a sinful nation . O ye sinners , turn and do justice before him : who can tell if he will accept you , and have mercy on you ? I will extol my God , and my soul shall praise the King of heaven , and shall rejoice in his greatness . Let all men speak , and let all praise him for his righteousness . O Jerusalem , the holy city , he will scourge thee for thy children's works , and will have mercy again on the sons of the righteous . Give praise to the Lord , for he is good : and praise the everlasting King , that his tabernacle may be builded in thee again with joy , and let him make joyful there in thee those that are captives , and love in thee for ever those that are miserable . Many nations shall come from far to the name of the Lord God with gifts in their hands , even gifts to the King of heaven ; all generations shall praise thee with great joy . Cursed are all they which hate thee , and blessed shall all be which love thee for ever . Rejoice and be glad for the children of the just : for they shall be gathered together , and shall bless the Lord of the just . O blessed are they which love thee , for they shall rejoice in thy peace : blessed are they which have been sorrowful for all thy scourges ; for they shall rejoice for thee , when they have seen all thy glory , and shall be glad for ever . Let my soul bless God the great King . For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds , and precious stone : thy walls and towers and battlements with pure gold . And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir . And all her streets shall say , Alleluia ; and they shall praise him , saying , Blessed be God , which hath extolled it for ever . So Tobit made an end of praising God . And he was eight and fifty years old when he lost his sight , which was restored to him after eight years : and he gave alms , and he increased in the fear of the Lord God , and praised him . And when he was very aged he called his son , and the sons of his son , and said to him , My son , take thy children ; for , behold , I am aged , and am ready to depart out of this life . Go into Media my son , for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineve , that it shall be overthrown ; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media ; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land : and Jerusalem shall be desolate , and the house of God in it shall be burned , and shall be desolate for a time ; And that again God will have mercy on them , and bring them again into the land , where they shall build a temple , but not like to the first , until the time of that age be fulfilled ; and afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity , and build up Jerusalem gloriously , and the house of God shall be built in it for ever with a glorious building , as the prophets have spoken thereof . And all nations shall turn , and fear the Lord God truly , and shall bury their idols . So shall all nations praise the Lord , and his people shall confess God , and the Lord shall exalt his people ; and all those which love the Lord God in truth and justice shall rejoice , shewing mercy to our brethren . And now , my son , depart out of Nineve , because that those things which the prophet Jonas spake shall surely come to pass . But keep thou the law and the commandments , and shew thyself merciful and just , that it may go well with thee . And bury me decently , and thy mother with me ; but tarry no longer at Nineve . Remember , my son , how Aman handled Achiacharus that brought him up , how out of light he brought him into darkness , and how he rewarded him again : yet Achiacharus was saved , but the other had his reward : for he went down into darkness . Manasses gave alms , and escaped the snares of death which they had set for him : but Aman fell into the snare , and perished . Wherefore now , my son , consider what alms doeth , and how righteousness doth deliver . When he had said these things , he gave up the ghost in the bed , being an hundred and eight and fifty years old ; and he buried him honourably . And when Anna his mother was dead , he buried her with his father . But Tobias departed with his wife and children to Ecbatane to Raguel his father in law , Where he became old with honour , and he buried his father and mother in law honourably , and he inherited their substance , and his father Tobit's . And he died at Ecbatane in Media , being an hundred and seven and twenty years old . But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineve , which was taken by Nabuchodonosor and Assuerus : and before his death he rejoiced over Nineve . .