Tobit 1
1 The book of
the words of Tobit, the 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; 2 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.
3 I Tobit have walked all the days of
my life in the way of truth and justice, and I did many alms-deeds to my
brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the
Assyrians. 4 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, and, where the temple
of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.
5 Now all the tribes which together
revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer
Baal. 6 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 first-fruits and tenths of increase, with
that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the
children of Aaron. 7 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: 8 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.
9 Furthermore, when I was come to the
age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.
10 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. 11 But
I kept myself from eating; 12 because
I remembered God with all my heart.
13 And the most High gave me grace
and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.
14 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. 15 Now when
Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was
troubled, that I could not go into Media.
16 And in the time of Enemessar I
gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,
17 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. 18 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.
19 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. 20 Then all my goods were
forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna
and my son Tobias. 21 And there
passed not 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.
22 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.