<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h2><SPAN name="chap03"></SPAN>The Book of Tobit</h2>
<p>1:1 The book of the words of Tobit, 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;</p>
<p>1:2 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.</p>
<p>1:3 I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and
justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with
me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.</p>
<p>1:4 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, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was
consecrated and built for all ages.</p>
<p>1:5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father
Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.</p>
<p>1:6 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 firstfruits and
tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the
altar to the priests the children of Aaron.</p>
<p>1:7 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:</p>
<p>1:8 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.</p>
<p>1:9 Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine
own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.</p>
<p>1:10 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.</p>
<p>1:11 But I kept myself from eating;</p>
<p>1:12 Because I remembered God with all my heart.</p>
<p>1:13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was
his purveyor.</p>
<p>1:14 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.</p>
<p>1:15 Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead;
whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media.</p>
<p>1:16 And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my
bread to the hungry,</p>
<p>1:17 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.</p>
<p>1:18 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.</p>
<p>1:19 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.</p>
<p>1:20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing
left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.</p>
<p>1:21 And there passed not five and 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.</p>
<p>1:22 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.</p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />