Tobit 1

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)	1 This book tells the story of Tobit, son of Tobiel, son of Hananiel, son of Aduel, son of Gabael of the family of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali,
2 When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,	2 who during the reign of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, was taken captive from Thisbe, which is south of Kedesh Naphtali in upper Galilee, above and to the west of Asser, north of Phogor.
3 But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.	3 I, Tobit, have walked all the days of my life on the paths of truth and righteousness. I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my people who had been deported with me to Nineveh, in Assyria.
4 And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.	4 When I lived as a young man in my own country, Israel, the entire tribe of my forefather Naphtali had broken away from the house of David and from Jerusalem. This city had been singled out of all Israel's tribes, so that they all might offer sacrifice in the place where the temple, God's dwelling, had been built and consecrated for all generations to come.
5 Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,	5 All my kinsmen, like the rest of the tribe of my forefather Naphtali, used to offer sacrifice on all the mountains of Galilee as well as to the young bull which Jeroboam, king of Israel, had made in Dan.
6 And went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes,	6 I, for my part, would often make the pilgrimage alone to Jerusalem for the festivals, as is prescribed for all Israel by perpetual decree. Bringing with me the first fruits of the field and the firstlings of the flock, together with a tenth of my income and the first shearings of the sheep, I would hasten to Jerusalem
7 So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.	7 and present them to the priests, Aaron's sons, at the altar. To the Levites who were doing service in Jeusalem I would give the tithe of grain, wine, olive oil, pomegranates, figs, and other fruits. And except for sabbatical years, I used to give a second tithe in money, which each year I would go and disburse in Jerusalem.
8 These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.	8 The third tithe I gave to orphans and widows, and to converts who were living with the Israelites. Every third year I would bring them this offering, and we ate it in keeping with the decree of the Mosaic law and the commands of Deborah, the mother of my father Tobiel; for when my father died, he left me an orphan.
9 But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,	9 When I reached manhood, I married Anna, a woman of our own lineage. By her I had a son whom I named Tobiah.
10 And from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.	10 Now, after I had been deported to Nineveh, all my brothers and relatives ate the food of heathens,
11 And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,	11 but I refrained from eating that kind of food.
12 (When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.	12 Because of this wholehearted service of God,
13 And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.	13 the Most High granted me favor and status with Shalmaneser, so that I became purchasing agent for all his needs.
14 And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.	14 Every now and then until his death I would go to Media to buy goods for him. I also deposited several pouches containing a great sum of money with my kinsman Gabael, son of Gabri, who lived at Rages, in Media.
15 He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.	15 But when Shalmaneser died and his son Sennacherib succeeded him as king, the roads to Media became unsafe, so I could no longer go there.
16 And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:	16 During Shalmaneser's reign I performed many charitable works for my kinsmen and my people.
17 And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.	17 I would give my bread to the hungry and my clothing to the naked. If I saw one of my people who had died and been thrown outside the walls of Nineveh, I would bury him.
18 But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:	18 I also buried anyone whom Sennacherib slew when he returned as a fugitive from Judea during the days of judgment decreed against him by the heavenly King because of the blasphemies he had uttered. In his rage he killed many Israelites, but I used to take their bodies by stealth and bury them; so when Sennacherib looked for them, he could not find them.
19 Tobias daily went among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:	19 But a certain citizen of Nineveh informed the king that it was I who buried the dead. When I found out that the king knew all about me and wanted to put me to death, I went into hiding; then in my fear I took to flight.
20 He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.	20 Afterward, all my property was confiscated; I was left with nothing. All that I had was taken to the king's palace, except for my wife Anna and my son Tobiah.
21 And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies.	21 But less than forty days later the king was assassinated by two of his sons, who then escaped into the mountains of Ararat. His son Esarhaddon, who succeeded him as king, placed Ahiqar, my brother Anael's son, in charge of all the accounts of his kingdom, so that he took control over the entire administration.
22 But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance.	22 Then Ahiqar interceded on my behalf, and I was able to return to Nineveh. For under Sennacherib, king of Assyria, Ahiqar had been chief cupbearer, keeper of the seal, administrator, and treasurer; and Esarhaddon reappointed him. He was a close relative-in fact, my nephew.
23 But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.
24 But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.
25 And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.