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Venerdi, 29 marzo 2024 - Santi Simplicio e Costantino ( Letture di oggi)

Tobit 4


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1The same day Tobit remembered the silver that he had left with Gabael at Rhages in Media2and thought, 'I have come to the point of praying for death; I should do wel to cal my son Tobias andtel him about the money before I die.'3He summoned his son Tobias and told him, 'When I die, give me an honourable burial. Honour yourmother, and never abandon her al the days of your life. Do al that she wants, and give her no reason for sorrow.4Remember, my child, al the risks she ran for your sake when you were in her womb. And when shedies, bury her at my side in the same grave.5'My child, be faithful to the Lord all your days. Never entertain the wil to sin or to transgress his laws.Do good works all the days of your life, never fol ow ways that are not upright;6for if you act in truthfulness, you wil be successful in al your actions, as everyone is who practises whatis upright.7'Set aside part of your goods for almsgiving. Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turnhis from you.8Measure your alms by what you have; if you have much, give more; if you have little, do not be afraid togive less in alms.9So doing, you wil lay up for yourself a great treasure for the day of necessity.10For almsgiving delivers from death and saves people from passing down to darkness.11Almsgiving is a most effective offering for all those who do it in the presence of the Most High.12'My child, avoid al loose conduct. Choose a wife of your father's stock. Do not take a foreign wifeoutside your father's tribe, because we are the children of the prophets. Remember Noah, Abraham, Isaac andJacob, our ancestors from the beginning. Al of them took wives from their own kindred, and they were blessed intheir children, and their race wil inherit the earth.13You, too, my child, must love your own brothers; never presume to despise your brothers, the sonsand daughters of your people; choose your wife from among them. For pride brings ruin and much worry;idleness causes need and poverty, for the mother of famine is idleness.14'Do not keep back until next day the wages of those who work for you; pay them at once. If you serveGod you will be rewarded. Be careful, my child, in al you do, wel -disciplined in al your behaviour.15Do to no one what you would not want done to you. Do not drink wine to the point of drunkenness; donot let excess be your travel ing companion.16'Give your bread to those who are hungry, and your clothes to those who lack clothing. Of whateveryou own in plenty, devote a proportion to almsgiving; and when you give alms, do it ungrudgingly.17Be generous with bread and wine on the graves of upright people, but not for the sinner.18'Ask advice of every wise person; never scorn any profitable advice.19Bless the Lord God in everything; beg him to guide your ways and bring your paths and purposes totheir end. For wisdom is not the property of every nation; their desire for what is good is conferred by the Lord. Athis will he lifts up or he casts down to the depths of the dwelling of the dead. So now, my child, remember theseprecepts and never let them fade from your heart.20'Now, my child, I must tell you I have left ten talents of silver with Gabael son of Gabrias, at Rhages inMedia.21Do not be afraid, my child, if we have grown poor. You have great wealth if you fear God, if you shun every kind of sin and if you do what is pleasing to the Lord your God.'