The Book of Tobit
Chapter One
1:1. These are the teachings Tobit
the
follower of Tobiel
the
follower of Ananiel
the
follower of Aduel
the
follower of Gabael
a
follower of Asael
from
the congregation of Nephthali.
1:2. During the time of Enemessar
the
king of the Assyrians
he
was led captive
out
from Thisbe
nearby
the village
called
Nephthali in
north
of Aser.
1:3. I Tobit have walked
all
the days of my life
in
the ways of truth and justice
aided
my brothers
and
my people
who
followed me to
into
the land of the Assyrians.
1:4. Now when I was
in
my own country
in
the
when
I was young
all
the followers
of
my teacher Nephthali
fell
from the temple
chosen
by followers of
so
all the other followers
would
make offerings there
where
the temple
honoring
the most High
was
consecrated
and
built for eternity.
1:5. Now all the followers
had
together revolted.
And
the followers
of
the teacher Nephthali
made
offerings to the idol Baal.
1:6. But I alone went often
to
as
ordained for followers of
by
an eternal decree
to
make offerings
of
first fruits and ten percents.
In
increasing amounts
I
offered these
at
the altar of the priests
the
followers of Aaron.
1:7.
I gave a ten percent tithing
to
the followers of Aaron
who
ministered at
I
gave away another ten percent
each
year in
1:8. Then a third tithing I gave
to
those I was obligated to
just
as Debora my father’s mother
had
instructed me
due
to being orphaned
by
my father.
1:9.
Then when I came of age
and
became a man
I
married Anna whom I loved
and
from her I brought forth Tobias.
1:10. Then when we brought
our
belongings to Nineve
all
my brothers
and
those from my family
ate
the food of the atheists.
1:11. Yet I myself did not eat.
1:12. Because I remembered God
with
all my heart.
1:13.
Now the most High
had
been merciful to me
and
honored me before Enemessar
so
that I became his purveyor.
1:14. So I traveled to Media
and
left with Gabael
and
gave ten talents of silver
to
the brother of Gabrias
at
the
1:15. Once Enemessar had died
his
follower Sennacherib
reigned
in his stead
but
his house had trouble
so
I did not go into Media.
1:16 Then during the days of Enemessar
I
gave alms to many
of
my brothers
and
gave food
to
those who hungered.
1:17. I gave clothing
to
those who were needy
and
if I saw any people dead
or
thrown off the walls of Nineve
I
buried them.
1:18. So if king Sennacherib
had
killed anyone who arrived
after
fleeing from
I
buried them privately
because
as in his wrath
he
had killed many
and
many bodies were not found
when
they were looked for
on
behalf of the king.
1:19. Once one of the Ninevites
went
to complain of me to the king
that
I buried someone
and
then hid them.
Knowing
I was sought out
to
be murdered
I
withdrew in fear.
1:20. Then all my possessions were taken
and
I had no possessions
except
my wife Anna
and
my son Tobias.
1:21.
After 55 days had passed
two
of his followers killed him
and
they fled
to
the Ararath mountains
and
his son Sarchedonus
reigned
in his stead.
He
governed his father’s matters
and
all of his affairs
including
my brother Achiacharus
and
my brother Anael’s son.
1:22. After being invited by Achiacharus
I
returned to Nineve.
Achiacharus
was the cupbearer
and
the keeper of the signet
and
oversaw many matters
after being appointed by Sarchedonus.
He was my brother’s son.
