10:28. And the rest of the people, priests, Levites, porters, and singing men, Nathinites, and all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters.
10:29. All that could understand, promising for their brethren, with their chief men, and they came to promise, and swear that they would walk in the law of God, which he gave in the hand of Moses the servant of God, that they would do and keep all the commandments of the Lord our God, and his judgments and his ceremonies.
10:30. And that we would not give our daughters to the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.
10:31. And if the people of the land bring in things to sell, or any things for use, to sell them on the sabbath day, that we would not buy them on the sabbath, or on the holy day. And that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every hand.
10:32. And we made ordinances for ourselves, to give the third part of a sicle every year for the work of the house of our God,
10:33. For the loaves of proposition, and for the continual sacrifice, and for a continual holocaust on the sabbaths, on the new moons, on the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offering: that atonement might be made for Israel, and for every use of the house of our God.
10:34. And we cast lots among the priests, and the Levites, and the people for the offering of wood, that it might be brought into the house of our God by the houses of our fathers at set times, from year to year: to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the law of Moses:
10:35. And that we would bring the firstfruits of our land, and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, from year to year, in the house of our Lord.
10:36. And the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our oxen, and of our sheep, to be offered in the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.
10:37. And that we would bring the firstfruits of our meats, and of our libations, and the fruit of every tree, of the vintage also and of oil to the priests, to the storehouse of our God, and the tithes of our ground to the Levites. The Levites also shall receive the tithes of our works out of all the cities.
10:38. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites in the tithes of the Levites, and the Levites shall offer the tithe of their tithes in the house of our God, to the storeroom into the treasure house.
10:39. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall carry to the treasury the firstfruits of corn, of wine, and of oil: and the sanctified vessels shall be there, and the priests, and the singing men, and the porters, and ministers, and we will not forsake the house of our God.
2 Esdras Chapter 11
Who were the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the other cities.
11:1. And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
11:2. And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
11:3. These therefore are the chief men of the province, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda. And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon.
11:4. And in Jerusalem there dwelt some of the children of Juda, and some of the children of Benjamin: of the children of Juda, Athaias the son of Aziam, the son of Zacharias, the son of Amarias, the son of Saphatias, the son of Malaleel: of the sons of Phares,
11:5. Maasia the son of Baruch, the son of Cholhoza, the son of Hazia, the son of Adaia, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zacharias, the son of the Silonite:
11:6. All these the sons of Phares, who dwelt in Jerusalem, were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
11:7. And these are the children of Benjamin: Sellum the son of Mosollam, the son of Joed, the son of Phadaia, the son of Colaia, the son of Masia, the son of Etheel, the son of Isaia.
11:8. And after him Gebbai, Sellai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
11:9. And Joel the son of Zechri their ruler, and Judas the son of Senua was second over the city.
11:10. And of the priests Idaia the son of Joarib, Jachin,
11:11. Saraia the son of Helcias, the son of Mosollam, the son of Sadoc, the son of Meraioth, the son of Achitob the prince of the house of God,
11:12. And their brethren that do the works of the temple: eight hundred twenty-two. And Adaia the son of Jeroham, the son of Phelelia, the son of Amsi, the son of Zacharias, the son of Pheshur, the son of Melchias,
11:13. And his brethren the chiefs of the fathers: two hundred forty- two. And Amassai the son of Azreel, the son of Ahazi, the son of Mosollamoth, the son of Emmer,
11:14. And their brethren who were very mighty, a hundred twenty-eight: and their ruler Zabdiel son of the mighty.
11:15. And of the Levites Semeia the son of Hasub, the son of Azaricam, the son of Hasabia, the son of Boni,
11:16. And Sabathai and Jozabed, who were over all the outward business of the house of God, of the princes of the Levites,
11:17. And Mathania the son of Micha, the son of Zebedei, the son of Asaph, was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer, and Becbecia, the second, one of his brethren, and Abda the son of Samua, the son of Galal, the son of Idithun.
11:18. All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.
11:19. And the porters, Accub, Telmon, and their brethren, who kept the doors: a hundred seventy-two.
11:20. And the rest of Israel, the priests and the Levites were in all the cities of Juda, every man in his possession.
11:21. And the Nathinites, that dwelt in Ophel, and Siaha, and Gaspha of the Nathinites.
11:22. And the overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem, was Azzi the son of Bani, the son of Hasabia, the son of Mathania, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, were the singing men in the ministry of the house of God.
11:23. For the king's commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day.
11:24. And Phathahia the son of Mesezebel of the children of Zara the son of Juda was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people,
11:25. And in the houses through all their countries. Of the children of Juda some dwelt at Cariath-Arbe, and in the villages thereof: and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof: and at Cabseel, and in the villages thereof.
11:26. And at Jesue, and at Molada, and at Bethphaleth,
11:27. And at Hasersuel, and at Bersabee, and in the villages thereof,
11:28. And at Siceleg, and at Mochona, and in the villages thereof,
11:29. And at Remmon, and at Saraa, and at Jerimuth,
11:30. Zanoa, Odollam, and in their villages, at Lachis and its dependencies, and at Azeca and the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Bersabee unto the valley of Ennom.
11:31. And the children of Benjamin, from Geba, at Mechmas, and at Hai, and at Bethel, and in the villages thereof,
11:32. At Anathoth, Nob, Anania,
11:33. Asor, Rama, Gethaim,
11:34. Hadid, Seboim, and Neballat, Lod,
11:35. And Ono the valley of craftsmen.
11:36. And of the Levites were portions of Juda and Benjamin.
2 Esdras Chapter 12
The priests, and Levites that came up with Zorobabel. The succession of high priests: the solemnity of the dedication of the wall.
12:1. Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue: Saraia, Jeremias, Esdras,
12:2. Amaria, Melluch, Hattus,
12:3. Sebenias, Rheum, Merimuth,
12:4. Addo, Genthon, Abia,
12:5. Miamin, Madia, Belga,
12:6. Semeia, and Joiarib, Idaia, Sellum Amoc, Helcias,
12:7. Idaia. These were the chief of the priests, and of their brethren in the days of Josue.
12:8. And the Levites, Jesua, Bennui, Cedmihel, Sarebia, Juda, Mathanias, they and their brethren were over the hymns:
12:9. And Becbecia, and Hanni, and their brethren every one in his office.
12:10. And Josue begot Joacim, and Joacim begot Eliasib, and Eliasib begot Joiada,
12:11. And Joiada begot Jonathan and Jonathan begot Jeddoa.
12:12. And in the days of Joacim the priests and heads of the families were: Of Saraia, Maraia: of Jeremias, Hanania:
12:13. Of Esdras, Mosollam: and of Amaria, Johanan:
12:14. Of Milicho, Jonathan: of Sebenia, Joseph:
12:15. Of Haram, Edna: of Maraioth, Helci:
12:16. Of Adaia, Zacharia: of Genthon, Mosollam:
12:17. Of Abia, Zechri: of Miamin and Moadia, Phelti:
12:18. Of Belga, Sammua of Semaia, Jonathan:
12:19. Of Joiarib, Mathanai: of Jodaia, Azzi:
12:20. Of Sellai, Celai: of Amoc, Heber:
12:21. Of Helcias, Hasebia: of Idaia, Nathanael.
12:22. The Levites the chiefs of the families in the days of Eliasib, and Joiada, and Johanan, and Jeddoa, were recorded, and the priests in the reign of Darius the Persian.
12:23. The sons of Levi, heads of the families were written in the book of Chronicles, even unto the days of Jonathan the son of Eliasib.
12:24. Now the chief of the Levites were Hasebia, Serebia, and Josue the son of Cedmihel: and their brethren by their courses, to praise and to give thanks according to the commandment of David the man of God, and to wait equally in order.
12:25. Mathania, and Becbecia, Obedia, and Mosollam, Telmon, Accub, were keepers of the gates and of the entrances before the gates.
12:26. These were in the days of Joacim the son of Josue, the son of Josedec, and in the days of Nehemias the governor, and of Esdras the priest and scribe.
12:27. And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, and to keep the dedication, and to rejoice with thanksgiving, and with singing, and with cymbals, and psalteries and harps.
12:28. And the sons of the singing men were gathered together out of the plain country about Jerusalem, and out of the villages of Nethuphati,
12:29. And from the house of Galgal, and from the countries of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singing men had built themselves villages round about Jerusalem.
12:30. And the priests and the Levites were purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
12:31. And I made the princes of Juda go up upon the wall, and I appointed two great choirs to give praise. And they went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate.
12:32. And after them went Osaias, and half of the princes of Juda,
12:33. And Azarias, Esdras, and Mosollam, Judas, and Benjamin, and Semeia, and Jeremias.
12:34. And of the sons of the priests with trumpets, Zacharias the son of Jonathan, the son of Semeia, the son of Mathania, the son of Michaia, the son of Zechur, the son of Asaph,
12:35. And his brethren Semeia, and Azareel, Malalai, Galalai, Maai, Nathanael, and Judas, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God: and Esdras the scribe before them at the fountain gate.
12:36. And they went up over against them by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall of the house of David, and to the water gate eastward:
12:37. And the second choir of them that gave thanks went on the opposite side, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, and upon the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,
12:38. And above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Emath, and even to the flock gate: and they stood still in the watch gate.
12:39. And the two choirs of them that gave praise stood still at the house of God, and I and the half of the magistrates with me.
12:40. And the priests, Eliachim, Maasia, Miamin, Michea, Elioenai, Zacharia, Hanania with trumpets,
12:41. And Maasia, and Semeia, and Eleazar, and Azzi, and Johanan, and Melchia, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sung loud, and Jezraia was their overseer:
12:42. And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and they rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.
12:43. They appointed also in that day men over the storehouses of the treasure, for the libations, and for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, that the rulers of the city might bring them in by them in honour of thanksgiving, for the priests and Levites: for Juda was joyful in the priests and Levites that assisted.
12:44. And they kept the watch of their God, and the observance of expiation, and the singing men, and the porters, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
12:45. For in the days of David and Asaph from the beginning there were chief singers appointed, to praise with canticles, and give thanks to God.
12:46. And all Israel, in the days of Zorobabel, and in the days of Nehemias gave portions to the singing men, and to the porters, day by day, and they sanctified the Levites, and the Levites sanctified the sons of Aaron.
Sanctified... That is, they gave them that which by the law was set aside, and sanctified for their use.
2 Esdras Chapter 13
Divers abuses are reformed.
13:1. And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever:
13:2. Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing.
13:3. And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated every stranger from Israel.
13:4. And over this thing was Eliasib the priest, who was set over the treasury of the house of our God, and was near akin to Tobias.
Over this thing, etc... Or, he was faulty in this thing, or in this kind.
13:5. And he made him a great storeroom, where before him they laid up gifts, and frankincense, and vessels, and the tithes of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, the portions of the Levites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the firstfruits of the priests.
13:6. But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem, because in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I went to the king, and after certain days I asked the king:
13:7. And I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the evil that Eliasib had done for Tobias, to make him a storehouse in the courts of the house of God.
13:8. And it seemed to me exceeding evil. And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the storehouse.
13:9. And I commanded and they cleansed again the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and the frankincense.
13:10. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: and that the Levites, and the singing men, and they that ministered were fled away every man to his own country:
13:11. And I pleaded the matter against the magistrates, and said: Why have we forsaken the house of God? And I gathered them together, and I made them to stand in their places.
13:12. And all Juda brought the tithe of the corn, and the wine, and the oil into the storehouses.
13:13. And we set over the storehouses Selemias the priest, and Sadoc the scribe, and of the Levites Phadaia, and next to them Hanan the son of Zachur, the son of Mathania: for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.
13:14. Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.
13:15. In those days I saw in Juda some treading the presses on the sabbath, and carrying sheaves, and lading asses with wine, and grapes, and figs, and all manner of burthens, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. And I charged them that they should sell on a day on which it was lawful to sell.
13:16. Some Tyrians also dwelt there, who brought fish, and all manner of wares: and they sold them on the sabbaths to the children of Juda in Jerusalem.
13:17. And I rebuked the chief men of Juda, and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day:
13:18. Did not our fathers do these things, and our God brought all this evil upon us, and upon this city? And you bring more wrath upon Israel by violating the sabbath.
13:19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem were at rest on the sabbath day, I spoke: and they shut the gates, and I commanded that they should not open them till after the sabbath: and I set some of my servants at the gates, that none should bring in burthens on the sabbath day.
13:20. So the merchants, and they that sold all kinds of wares, stayed without Jerusalem, once or twice.
13:21. And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the sabbath.
13:22. I spoke also to the Levites that they should be purified, and should come to keep the gates, and to sanctify the sabbath day: for this also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
13:23. In those days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab.
13:24. And their children spoke half in the speech of Azotus, and could not speak the Jews' language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people.
13:25. And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:
13:26. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing: and surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women of other countries brought even him to sin.
13:27. And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women:
13:28. And one of the sons of Joiada the son of Eliasib the high priest, was son in law to Sanaballat the Horonite, and I drove him from me.
13:29. Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites.
13:30. So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry:
13:31. And for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for the firstfruits: remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen.
THE BOOK OF TOBIAS
This Book takes its name from the holy man Tobias, whose wonderful virtues are herein recorded. It contains most excellent documents of great piety, extraordinary patience, and of a perfect resignation to the will of God. His humble prayer was heard, and the angel Raphael was sent to relieve him: he is thankful and praises the Lord, calling on the children of Israel to do the same. Having lived to the age of one hundred and two years, he exhorts his son and grandsons to piety, foretells the destruction of Ninive and the rebuilding of Jerusalem: he dies happily.
Tobias Chapter 1
Tobias's early piety: his works of mercy, particularly in burying the dead.
1:1. 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,)
1:2. When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,
1:3. But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.
1:4. And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.
1:5. Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,
1:6. 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,
1:7. So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.
1:8. These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.
1:9. 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,
1:10. And from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.
1:11. And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,
1:12. (When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.
1:13. And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.
1:14. And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.
1:15. He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.
1:16. 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:
1:17. 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.
1:18. 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:
1:19. Tobias daily went among all his kindred and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:
1:20. He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.
1:21. 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.
1:22. But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance.
1:23. But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.
1:24. But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.
1:25. And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.
Tobias Chapter 2
Tobias leaveth his dinner to bury the dead: he loseth his sight by God's permission, for manifestation of his patience.
2:1. But after this, when there was a festival of the Lord, and a good dinner was prepared in Tobias's house,
2:2. He said to his son: Go, and bring some of our tribe that fear God, to feast with us.
2:3. And when he had gone, returning he told him, that one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from his place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body.
2:4. And taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after the sun was down, he might bury him cautiously.
2:5. And when he had hid the body, he ate bread with mourning and fear,
2:6. Remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning.
2:7. So when the sun was down, he went and buried him.
2:8. Now all his neighbours blamed him, saying: once already commandment was given for thee to be slain because of this matter, and thou didst scarce escape the sentence of death, and dost thou again bury the dead?
2:9. But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.
2:10. Now it happened one day that being wearied with burying, he came to his house, and cast himself down by the wall and slept,
2:11. And as he was sleeping, hot dung out of a swallow's nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.
2:12. Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.
2:13. For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him,
2:14. But continued immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.
2:15. For as the kings insulted over holy Job: so his relations and kinsmen mocked at his life, saying:
Kings... So Job's three friends are here called, because they were princes in their respective territories.
2:16. Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?
2:17. But Tobias rebuked them, saying: Speak not so:
2:18. For we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.
2:19. Now Anna his wife went daily to weaving work, and she brought home what she could get for their living by the labour of her hands.
2:20. Whereby it came to pass, that she received a young kid, and brought it home:
2:21. And when her husband heard it bleating, he said: Take heed, lest perhaps it be stolen: restore ye it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch any thing that cometh by theft.
2:22. At these words his wife being angry answered: It is evident the hope is come to nothing, and thy alms now appear.
2:23. And with these and other, such like words she upbraided him.
Tobias Chapter 3
The prayer of Tobias, and of Sara, in their several afflictions, are heard by God, and the angel Raphael is sent to relieve them.
3:1. Then Tobias sighed, and began to pray with tears,
3:2. Saying, Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment:
3:3. And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, nor those of my parents.
3:4. For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us.
3:5. And now, O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee.
3:6. And now, O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace: for it is better for me to die, than to live.
3:7. Now it happened on the same day, that Sara daughter of Raguel, in Rages a city of the Medes, received a reproach from one of her father's servant maids,
Rages... In the Greek it is Ecbatana, which was also called Rages. For there were two cities in Media of the name of Rages. Raguel dwelt in one of them, and Gabelus in the other.
3:8. Because she had been given to seven husbands and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her.
3:9. So when she reproved the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying: May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands.
3:10. Wilt thou kill me also, as thou hast already killed seven husbands? At these words, she went into an upper chamber of her house: and for three days and three nights did neither eat nor drink:
3:11. But continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach.
3:12. And it came to pass on the third day when she was making an end of her prayer, blessing the Lord,
3:13. She said: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers, who when thou hast been angry, wilt shew mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgivest the sins of them that call upon thee.
3:14. To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes.
3:15. I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth.
3:16. Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust.
3:17. Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness.
3:18. But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust.
3:19. And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man,
3:20. For thy counsel is not in man's power.
3:21. But this every one is sure of that worshippeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy.
3:22. For thou art not delighted in our being lost, because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou pourest in joyfulness.
3:23. Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever,
3:24. At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God:
3:25. And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.
Tobias Chapter 4
Tobias thinking he shall die, giveth his son godly admonitions: and telleth him of money he had lent to a friend.
4:1. Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son,
4:2. And said to him: Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart.
4:3. When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life:
4:4. For thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb.
4:5. And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her by me.
4:6. And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.
4:7. Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.
4:8. According to thy ability be merciful.
4:9. If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.
4:10. For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity.
4:11. For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.
4:12. Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.
4:13. Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime.
4:14. Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning.
4:15. If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.
4:16. See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another.
4:17. Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked,
4:18. Lay out thy bread, and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked.
4:19. Seek counsel always of a wise man.
4:20. Bless God at all times: and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.
4:21. I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me:
4:22. Now therefore inquire how thou mayst go to him, and receive of him the foresaid sum of money, and restore to him the note of his hand.
4:23. Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.
Tobias Chapter 5
Young Tobias seeking a guide for his journey, the angel Raphael, in shape of a man, undertaketh this office.
5:1. Then Tobias answered his father, and said: I will do all things, father, which thou hast commanded me.
5:2. But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell; he knoweth not me, and I know not him: what token shall I give him? nor did I ever know the way which leadeth thither.
5:3. Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew him, he will presently pay it.
5:4. But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.
5:5. Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk.
5:6. And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man?
5:7. But he answered: Of the children of Israel. And Tobias said to him: Knowest thou the way that leadeth to the country of the Medes?
5:8. And he answered: I know it: and I have often walked through all the ways thereof, and I have abode with Gabelus our brother, who dwelleth at Rages a city of the Medes, which is situate in the mount of Ecbatana.
5:9. And Tobias said to him: Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.
5:10. Then Tobias going in told all these things to his father. Upon which his father being in admiration, desired that he would come in unto him.
5:11. So going in he saluted him, and said: Joy be to thee always.
5:12. And Tobias said: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness and see not the light of heaven?
5:13. And the young man said to him: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand.
5:14. And Tobias said to him: Canst thou conduct my son to Gabelus at Rages, a city of the Medes? and when thou shalt return, I will pay thee thy hire.
5:15. And the angel said to him: I will conduct him thither, and bring him back to thee.
5:16. And Tobias said to him: I pray thee, tell me, of what family, or what tribe art thou?
5:17. And Raphael the angel answered: Dost thou seek the family of him thou hirest, or the hired servant himself to go with thy son?
5:18. But lest I should make thee uneasy, I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias.
Azarias... The angel took the form of Azarias: and therefore might call himself by the name of the man whom he personated. Azarias, in Hebrew, signifies the help of God, and Ananias the grace of God.
5:19. And Tobias answered: Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family.
5:20. And the angel said to him: I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.
5:21. And Tobias answering, said: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you.
5:22. Then all things being ready, that were to be carried in their journey, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell, and they set out both together.
5:23. And when they were departed, his mother began to weep, and to say: Thou hast taken the staff of our old age, and sent him away from us.
5:24. I wish the money for which thou hast sent him, had never been.
5:25. For our poverty was sufficient for us, that we might account it as riches, that we saw our son.
5:26. And Tobias said to her: Weep not, our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him.
5:27. For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him, so that he shall return to us with joy.
5:28. At these words his mother ceased weeping, and held her peace.
Tobias Chapter 6
By the angel's advice young Tobias taketh hold on a fish that assaulteth him. Reserveth the heart, the gall, and the liver for medicines. They lodge at the house of Raguel, whose daughter Sara, Tobias is to marry; she had before been married to seven husbands, who were all slain by a devil.
6:1. And Tobias went forward, and the dog followed him, and he lodged the first night by the river of Tigris.
6:2. And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him.
6:3. And Tobias being afraid of him, cried out with a loud voice, saying: Sir, he cometh upon me.
6:4. And the angel said to him: Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee. And when he had done so, he drew him out upon the land, and he began to pant before his feet.
6:5. Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of this fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines.
6:6. And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes.
6:7. Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish?
6:8. And the angel, answering, said to him: If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them.
Its heart, etc. The liver (ver. 19)... God was pleased to give these things a virtue against those proud spirits, to make them, who affected to be like the Most High, subject to such mean corporeal creatures as instruments of his power.
6:9. And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured.
6:10. And Tobias said to him: Where wilt thou that we lodge?
6:11. And the angel answering, said: Here is one whose name is Raguel, a near kinsman of thy tribe, and he hath a daughter named Sara, but he hath no son nor any other daughter beside her.
6:12. All his substance is due to thee, and thou must take her to wife.
6:13. Ask her therefore of her father, and he will give her thee to wife.
6:14. Then Tobias answered, and said: I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard, that a devil killed them.
6:15. Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also: and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.
Hell... That is, to the place where the souls of the good were kept before the coming of Christ.
6:16. Then the angel Raphael said to him: Hear me, and I will shew thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail.
6:17. For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power.
6:18. But thou when thou shalt take her, go into the chamber, and for three days keep thyself continent from her, and give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with her.
6:19. And on that night lay the liver of the fish on the fire, and the devil shall be driven away.
6:20. But the second night thou shalt be admitted into the society of the holy Patriarchs.
6:21. And the third night thou shalt obtain a blessing that sound children may be born of you.
6:22. And when the third night is past, thou shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, moved rather for love of children than for lust, that in the seed of Abraham thou mayst obtain a blessing in children.
Tobias Chapter 7
They are kindly entertained by Raguel. Tobias demandeth Sara to wife.
7:1. And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy.
7:2. And Raguel looking upon Tobias, said to Anna his wife: How like is this young man to my cousin?
7:3. And when he had spoken these words, he said: Whence are ye young men our brethren?
7:4. But they said: We are of the tribe of Nephtali, of the captivity of Ninive.
7:5. And Raguel said to them: Do you know Tobias my brother? And they said: We know him.
7:6. And when he was speaking many good things of him, the angel said to Raguel: Tobias concerning whom thou inquirest is this young man's father.
7:7. And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.
7:8. And Anna his wife, and Sara their daughter wept.
7:9. And after they had spoken, Raguel commanded a sheep to be killed, and a feast to be prepared. And when he desired them to sit down to dinner,
7:10. Tobias said: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter.
7:11. Now when Raguel heard this he was afraid, knowing what had happened to those seven husbands, that went in unto her: and he began to fear lest it might happen to him also in like manner: and as he was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition,
7:12. The angel said to him: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her.
7:13. Then Raguel said: I doubt not but God hath regarded my prayers and tears in his sight.
7:14. And I believe he hath therefore made you come to me, that this maid might be married to one of her own kindred, according to the law of Moses: and now doubt not but I will give her to thee.
7:15. And taking the right hand of his daughter, he gave it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfil his blessing in you.
7:16. And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage.
7:17. And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.
7:18. And Raguel called to him Anna his wife, and bade her to prepare another chamber.
7:19. And she brought Sara her daughter in thither, and she wept.
7:20. And she said to her: Be of good cheer, my daughter: the Lord of heaven give thee joy for the trouble thou hast undergone.
Tobias Chapter 8
Tobias burneth part of the fish's liver, and Raphael bindeth the devil. Tobias and Sara pray.
8:1. And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her.
8:2. And Tobias remembering the angel's word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals.
8:3. Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt.
8:4. Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock.
8:5. For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.
8:6. So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them,
8:7. And Tobias said: Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee.
8:8. Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper.
8:9. And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.
8:10. Sara also said: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.
8:11. And it came to pass about the cockcrowing, Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave.
8:12. For he said: Lest perhaps it may have happened to him, in like manner as it did to the other seven husbands, that went in unto her.
8:13. And when they had prepared the pit, Raguel went back to his wife, and said to her:
8:14. Send one of thy maids, and let her see if he be dead, that I may bury him before it be day.
8:15. So she sent one of her maidservants, who went into the chamber, and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.
8:16. And returning she brought the good news: and Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord,
8:17. And said: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected.
8:18. For thou hast shewn thy mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us.
8:19. And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth.
8:20. And immediately Raguel commanded his servants, to fill up the pit they had made, before it was day.
8:21. And he spoke to his wife to make ready a feast, and prepare all kind of provisions that are necessary for such as go a journey.
8:22. He caused also two fat kine, and four wethers to be killed, and a banquet to be prepared for all his neighbours, and all his friends,
8:23. And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks.
8:24. And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.
Tobias Chapter 9
The angel Raphael goeth to Gabelus, receiveth the money, and bringeth him to the marriage.
9:1. Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken to my words:
9:2. If I should give myself to be thy servant I should not make a worthy return for thy care.
9:3. However, I beseech thee, to take with thee beasts and servants, and to go to Gabelus to Rages the city of the Medes: and to restore to him his note of hand, and receive of him the money, and desire him to come to my wedding.
9:4. For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days: and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.
9:5. And indeed thou seest how Raguel hath adjured me, whose adjuring I cannot despise.
9:6. Then Raphael took four of Raguel's servants, and two camels, and went to Rages the city of the Medes: and finding Gabelus, gave him his note of hand, and received of him all the money.
9:7. And he told him concerning Tobias the son of Tobias, all that had been done: and made him come with him to the wedding.
9:8. And when he was come into Raguel's house he found Tobias sitting at the table: and he leaped up, and they kissed each other: and Gabelus wept, and blessed God,
9:9. And said: The God of Israel bless thee, because thou art the son of a very good and just man, and that feareth God, and doth almsdeeds:
9:10. And may a blessing come upon thy wife and upon your parents.
9:11. And may you see your children, and your children's children, unto the third and fourth generation: and may your seed be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigneth for ever and ever.
9:12. And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord.
Tobias Chapter 10
The parents lament the long absence of their son Tobias. He sets out to return.
10:1. But as Tobias made longer stay upon occasion of the marriage, Tobias his father was solicitous, saying: Why thinkest thou doth my son tarry, or why is he detained there?
10:2. Is Gabelus dead, thinkest thou, and no man will pay him the money?
10:3. And he began to be exceeding sad, both he and Anna his wife with him: and they began both to weep together, because their son did not return to them on the day appointed.
10:4. But his mother wept and was quite disconsolate, and said: Woe, woe is me, my son; why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity?
10:5. We having all things together in thee alone, ought not to have let thee go from us.
10:6. And Tobias said to her: Hold thy peace, and be not troubled, our son is safe: that man with whom we sent him is very trusty.
10:7. But she could by no means be comforted, but daily running out looked round about, and went into all the ways by which there seemed any hope he might return, that she might if possible see him coming afar off.
10:8. But Raguel said to his son in law: Stay here, and I will send a messenger to Tobias thy father, that thou art in health.
10:9. And Tobias said to him: I know that my father and mother now count the days, and their spirit is grievously afflicted within them.
10:10. And when Raguel had pressed Tobias with many words, and he by no means would hearken to him, he delivered Sara unto him, and half of all his substance in menservants, and womenservants, in cattle, in camels, and in kine, and in much money, and sent him away safe and joyful from him,
10:11. Saying: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.
10:12. And the parents taking their daughter kissed her, and let her go:
10:13. Admonishing her to honour her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the house, and to behave herself irreprehensibly.
Tobias Chapter 11
Tobias anointeth his father's eyes with the fish's gall, and he recovereth his sight.
11:1. And as they were returning they came to Charan, which is in the midway to Ninive, the eleventh day.
11:2. And the angel said: Brother Tobias, thou knowest how thou didst leave thy father.
11:3. If it please thee therefore, let us go before, and let the family follow softly after us, together with thy wife, and with the beasts.
11:4. And as this their going pleased him, Raphael said to Tobias: Take with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary. So Tobias took some of that gall and departed.