Tobit

1This is the book of the words of Tobit. Tobit was the son of Tobiel. Tobiel was the son of Ananiel. Ananiel was the son of Aduel. Aduel was the son of Gabael. Their family came from Asael. They belonged to the tribe of Nephthali.

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;

NoteThis list of fathers and sons shows which family Tobit came from. A tribe is one big family group. Israel had twelve tribes, and Nephthali was one of them.

2Enemessar was king of the Assyrians. In his days Tobit was taken away as a prisoner. His town was Thisbe. Thisbe lies to the right of Kedesh Nephthali, in Galilee, above Aser.

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.

NoteThe Assyrians were a strong people with a big army. They took people from other lands away to live in their country. Long ago people faced east to give directions, so "the right hand" meant the south.

3I am Tobit. All my life I walked in the ways of truth and right. I gave many gifts to help my own people and my nation. They were taken with me to Nineve, in the land of the Assyrians.

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.

NoteNineve was the biggest city of the Assyrians. It was far from Israel, many weeks of walking away.

4When I was still young I lived in my own country, the land of Israel. My whole tribe, the tribe of Nephthali, turned away from the house in Jerusalem. God chose that house out of all the tribes of Israel. All the tribes were to bring their offerings there. There the temple where the Most High lives was made holy and built to last for all time.

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.

Note"The house in Jerusalem" means the temple, God's big holy building. An offering is a gift brought to God, often food or an animal. "The Most High" is a name for God. It means no one is above him.

5All the tribes that turned away gave their offerings to the heifer Baal. The house of my father Nephthali did the same.

Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

NoteA heifer is a young cow. Baal was a god that other people prayed to. They made a statue shaped like a young cow and brought it gifts.

6But I alone kept going to Jerusalem for the feasts. That was the rule given to all the people of Israel forever. I brought the first part of my harvest. I brought a tenth of all I gained. I brought the first wool cut from my sheep. I gave these at the altar to the priests, the sons of Aaron.

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.

NoteThe feasts were special holidays. People traveled to Jerusalem to keep them together. The first part of a harvest was given to God first. So was a tenth, one basket out of every ten. Wool is the soft hair cut off sheep each year, and it was worth money. An altar is a stone table where gifts were burned for God. The priests were the men who did God's work at the temple, and they all came from Aaron's family.

7The first tenth of all I gained I gave to the sons of Levi. They did the work of God in Jerusalem. A second tenth I sold, and I went and spent the money in Jerusalem each year.

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:

NoteLevi was another tribe of Israel. Their job was to take care of the temple. They grew no food of their own, so people brought food to them.

8A third tenth I gave to the people who should have it. Debora, my father's mother, had told me to do this. My father had died, and I was left without him.

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.

NoteThis third tenth was for poor people, and for children with no parents. Debora was Tobit's grandmother. She raised him after his father died.

9When I grew up to be a man, I married Anna. She came from my own family. She and I had a son named Tobias.

Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.

NotePeople often married someone from their own tribe. That kept families and their land together.

10We were taken away as prisoners to Nineve. There all my people and my family ate the food of the Gentiles, the people who were not of Israel.

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.

NoteGod's people had rules about which foods they could eat. Food cooked by other people might break those rules. So Tobit would not eat it.

11But I would not eat that food.

But I kept myself from eating;

12I would not, because I remembered God with all my heart.

Because I remembered God with all my heart.

13So the Most High made the king Enemessar kind to me. The king liked me. He put me in charge of buying the things he needed.

And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.

14I traveled into Media. There I left ten talents of silver with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias. He lived in Rages, a city in Media.

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.

NoteA talent was a big weight of silver, heavier than a small child. Ten talents was a huge amount of money. Media was a country far to the east. Tobit left the silver with a friend to keep it safe.

15Then Enemessar died. His son Sennacherib became king in his place. In his time the roads were not safe. So I could not go to Media any more.

Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media.

16In the days of Enemessar I gave many gifts to help my people. I gave my bread to hungry people.

And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,

17I gave my clothes to people who had none. If I saw one of my people dead, or thrown out by the wall of Nineve, I buried him.

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.

NoteBurying a dead person was a kind and important job. Bodies were left by the wall so that everyone could see them. Tobit took them away and buried them instead.

18King Sennacherib came running away from Judea. If he killed anyone, I buried them quietly. He was angry, and he killed many people. The king's men looked for the bodies, but they could not find them.

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.

NoteThe king left the bodies out on purpose to scare people. So burying them made the king very angry. Tobit did it at night when no one could see.

19Then a man of Nineve went and told the king about me. He said that I buried the dead and then hid myself. I learned that they were looking for me to kill me. I was afraid, so I went away.

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.

20Then everything I owned was taken from me by force. Nothing at all was left to me. I still had my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

21Not even fifty-five days went by. Then two of his sons killed him. They ran away to the mountains of Ararath. His son Sarchedonus became king in his place. Sarchedonus put Achiacharus in charge of all the money records of the kingdom. He put him over all the king's business too. Achiacharus was the son of my brother Anael.

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.

NoteArarath was a land of high mountains far to the north. The king's sons ran there to get away.

22Achiacharus asked the king for me, and I came back to Nineve. Achiacharus was the king's cupbearer and the keeper of the signet. He was also the steward and the overseer of the accounts. Sarchedonus made him second only to himself. He was my brother's son.

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.

NoteA cupbearer brought the king his drink. He tasted it first to show it was safe. A signet was a ring with the king's mark on it. Pressing it into soft wax showed a letter came from the king. A steward looked after the king's house. Keeping the accounts means writing down all the king's money.

1Then I was sad, and I cried. My heart hurt, and I prayed. I said:

Then I being grieved did weep, and in my sorrow prayed, saying,

NoteThe word "I" here is Tobit. He is telling his own story.

2"O Lord, you are fair. Everything you do and every way you take is kind and true. You judge truly and fairly forever.

O Lord, thou art just, and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth, and thou judgest truly and justly for ever.

3Remember me. Look at me. Do not punish me for my sins, or for wrong things I did without knowing. Do not punish me for the sins of my fathers, who sinned in front of you.

Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorances, and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before thee:

Note"Fathers" here means his family from long ago. It means his grandparents and their grandparents too.

4They did not obey your commands. So you let us be robbed. You let us be taken away as prisoners, and you let us die. Now every nation where we live scattered uses our name to make fun of us.

For they obeyed not thy commandments: wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, and unto death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed.

NoteLong ago a strong army took Tobit's people away from home. They had to live in another country far away. "Scattered" means they were spread out in many places.

5Your judgments are many, and they are true. Deal with me for my sins and my fathers' sins. We did not keep your commands. We did not live in a true way in front of you.

And now thy judgments are many and true: deal with me according to my sins and my fathers’: because we have not kept thy commandments, neither have walked in truth before thee.

6So now do with me what seems best to you. Tell my spirit to be taken from me. Let me die and turn back into dirt. It is better for me to die than to live. People have said false, hurtful things about me, and I have much sorrow. So give the word to take me out of this trouble now. Let me go to the place that lasts forever. Do not turn your face away from me."

Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved, and become earth: for it is profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and have much sorrow: command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress, and go into the everlasting place: turn not thy face away from me.

NoteYour spirit is the part of you that is alive inside. Tobit is asking God to let him die. "Do not turn your face away" means "please keep listening to me."

7That same day, something happened in Ecbatane, a city in the land of Media. Sara, the daughter of Raguel, was shamed by her father's servant girls.

It came to pass the same day, that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her father’s maids;

NoteEcbatane was a big city in a land called Media, far to the east. To be shamed is to have people say unkind things about you. Servant girls worked in the house for Sara's family.

8She had been married to seven husbands. Asmodeus, the evil spirit, had killed each one. They died before any of them slept with her. The servant girls said to her, "Don't you know that you strangled your husbands? You have had seven husbands already. You never took the name of any of them.

Because that she had been married to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain with her. Dost thou not know, said they, that thou hast strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands, neither wast thou named after any of them.

NoteAn evil spirit is a bad being that people cannot see. To strangle someone is to squeeze their neck so they cannot breathe. Taking a husband's name meant really becoming part of his family.

9So why do you hit us because of them? If they are dead, go away and follow them. May we never see a son or a daughter from you."

Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead, go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or daughter.

Note"Go away and follow them" is a mean way of saying "you should die too." The servant girls are being very unkind to Sara.

10When Sara heard this, she was very sad. She thought about hanging herself. Then she said, "I am my father's only daughter. If I do this, people will shame him. I will bring his old age down to the grave with sorrow."

Whe she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave.

NoteThe grave is the place where dead people are buried. Sara means that her trouble could make her father die sad.

11Then she prayed at the window. She said, "Blessed are you, O Lord my God. Your holy and shining name is blessed and honored forever. Let everything you made praise you forever.

Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever: let all thy works praise thee for ever.

NoteSara's people prayed by an open window when they lived far from home. They faced the city they came from. "Blessed are you" is a way of saying "I praise you."

12And now, O Lord, I turn my eyes and my face toward you,

And now, O Lord, I set mine eyes and my face toward thee,

13and I say this: take me away from the earth, so I never hear these hurtful words again.

And say, Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no more the reproach.

14You know, Lord, that I am clean from any sin with a man.

Thou knowest, Lord, that I am pure from all sin with man,

Note"Clean" here means Sara has done nothing wrong at all. She has never been with a man.

15You know I never made my own name dirty, or my father's name, here in the land where we were taken. I am my father's only daughter. He has no other child to take what he owns. He has no close relative, and no living son, for me to keep myself for as a wife. My seven husbands are already dead. So why should I live? But if you do not want me to die, then be kind to me. Have pity on me, so I never hear these hurtful words again."

And that I never polluted my name, nor the name of my father, in the land of my captivity: I am the only daughter of my father, neither hath he any child to be his heir, neither any near kinsman, nor any son of his alive, to whom I may keep myself for a wife: my seven husbands are already dead; and why should I live? but if it please not thee that I should die, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, that I hear no more reproach.

Note"Take what he owns" means to get his house and land after he dies. Back then a woman often married a cousin or another close relative. That way the family kept its land and its name.

16The prayers of both of them were heard by the great God in all his glory.

So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God.

Note"Glory" means how great and shining God is.

17And Raphael was sent to heal them both. He was to scrape the white film off Tobit's eyes. He was to give Sara, the daughter of Raguel, to Tobias, the son of Tobit, as his wife. He was also to tie up Asmodeus, the evil spirit. Sara belonged to Tobias by family right. At that very same time, Tobit came home and went into his house. And Sara, the daughter of Raguel, came down from her upstairs room.

And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.

NoteRaphael is an angel, a messenger God sends to help people. A white film is a cloudy skin over the eye that stops a person from seeing. To tie up the evil spirit means to stop him from hurting anyone. "By family right" means Tobias was her closest relative, so the family rules said he should marry her. Houses then often had a room built on the flat roof.

1On that day Tobit remembered the money. He had left it in Gabael's care in Rages of Media.

In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media,

NoteMedia was a country far away, in what is now Iran. Rages was a city there. Tobit had left his silver with a friend to keep safe.

2He said to himself, "I have asked to die. Why not call my son Tobias? Then I can tell him about the money before I die."

And said with himself, I have wished for death; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to him of the money before I die?

NoteTobit was old and blind. He was so sad that he had asked God to let him die.

3So he called him and said, "My son, when I am dead, bury me. Do not look down on your mother. Honor her all your life. Do what makes her glad. Do not make her sad."

And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am dead, bury me; and despise not thy mother, but honour her all the days of thy life, and do that which shall please her, and grieve her not.

NoteIn Tobit's time, burying someone who died was a great act of love. Tobit had done this for others many times.

4"Remember, my son, she faced many dangers for you before you were born. When she dies, bury her beside me in one grave."

Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee, when thou wast in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave.

NoteLong ago, having a baby was dangerous for a mother. Tobit means his wife risked her life for Tobias.

5"My son, think about the Lord our God every day of your life. Do not choose to sin or to break his commands. Do what is right as long as you live. Do not follow ways that are wrong."

My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days, and let not thy will be set to sin, or to transgress his commandments: do uprightly all thy life long, and follow not the ways of unrighteousness.

NoteCommands are God's rules. He gave them to his people long ago.

6"If you do what is true, things will go well for you. They will go well for all who live rightly."

For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly.

7"Give to poor people from what you own. When you give, do not give with a greedy eye. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor. Then God's face will not turn away from you."

Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee.

NoteThe old word here is "alms." Alms means money or food given to poor people. A greedy eye means wishing you could keep it instead.

8"If you have much, give much. If you have only a little, do not be afraid to give from that little."

If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little:

9"In this way you store up good treasure for yourself. It will be there on the day you need it."

For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity.

10"Giving to the poor saves people from death. It does not let you go into the dark."

Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness.

Note"The dark" here means death and the grave.

11"Giving to the poor is a good gift. It is good for everyone who gives it, in the sight of the Most High."

For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High.

Note"The Most High" is a name for God. It means he is over everything.

12"Stay away from all sexual sin, my son. Most of all, marry a woman from your father's people. Do not marry a woman from outside, who is not from your father's tribe. We come from the prophets, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember, my son, that our fathers long ago all married women from their own families. They were blessed in their children. Their children's children will receive the land."

Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to wife, which is not of thy father’s tribe: for we are the children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, even that they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.

NoteSexual sin means using your body in ways God said are wrong. A tribe was a big family group. God's people had twelve tribes. A prophet was someone who told people what God said. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived long before Tobit. They were the first fathers of God's people.

13"So now, my son, love your brothers and sisters. Do not look down on them in your heart. They are the sons and daughters of your own people. Do not scorn them by refusing to marry one of them. Pride brings ruin and much trouble. Being good for nothing brings decay and great need. Being good for nothing is the mother of famine."

Now therefore, my son, love thy brethren, and despise not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy people, in not taking a wife of them: for in pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want: for lewdness is the mother of famine.

Note"Good for nothing" means being lazy and careless about doing right. Famine is a time when there is not enough food. People go hungry.

14"If a man works for you, do not keep his pay. Hand it to him right away. If you serve God, he will pay you back. Be careful, my son, in everything you do. Be wise in the way you live."

Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for thee, tarry with thee, but give him it out of hand: for if thou serve God, he will also repay thee: be circumspect my son, in all things thou doest, and be wise in all thy conversation.

NoteWorkers were paid at the end of each day. They needed that money to buy food that same night.

15"Do to no one what you hate. Do not drink wine until you are drunk. Do not let drunkenness go with you on your way."

Do that to no man which thou hatest: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey.

Note"Do to no one what you hate" means treat people the way you want to be treated. Drunk means drinking so much wine that your mind stops working right.

16"Give some of your bread to hungry people. Give some of your clothes to those who have none. Give to the poor from all you have. Do not give with a greedy eye."

Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked; and according to thine abundance give alms: and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.

17"Pour out your bread at the burial of good people. Give nothing to the wicked."

Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.

NotePeople brought food to the graves of those who died. The food was shared with poor people there. It was a way to honor the one who died.

18"Ask advice from every person who is wise. Do not turn down any advice that helps."

Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable.

19"Bless the Lord your God at all times. Ask him to make your ways straight. Ask that all your paths and plans go well. Not every nation has good advice. But the Lord himself gives all good things. He brings low whoever he wants, in the way he wants. So now, my son, remember my commands. Do not let them be wiped out of your mind."

Bless the Lord thy God alway, and desire of him that thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of thy mind.

Note"Make your ways straight" means help you choose the right path. "He brings low" means he makes proud people humble.

20"Now I am telling you about ten talents of silver. I left them with Gabael son of Gabrias at Rages in Media."

And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.

NoteA talent was a heavy weight of silver. One talent was more money than a worker earned in many years. Ten talents was a great deal of money.

21"Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have much wealth if you honor God. Turn away from all sin. Do what pleases him."

And fear not, my son, that we are made poor: for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight.

NoteTo honor God here means to love and respect him. It does not mean being scared of him.

1Tobias answered his father. He said, "Father, I will do everything you told me.

Tobias then answered and said, Father, I will do all things which thou hast commanded me:

NoteTobit is the father, and Tobias is his son. Tobit cannot see.

2But how can I get the money? I do not know the man."

But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not?

NoteLong ago Tobit left money with a man in a faraway town. Tobias has never met that man.

3So his father gave him the written paper. He said, "Look for a man to go with you, while I am still alive. I will pay him. Then go and get the money."

Then he gave him the handwriting, and said unto him, Seek thee a man which may go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages: and go and receive the money.

NoteThe written paper showed that the money belonged to Tobit. It worked like a receipt.

4So Tobias went to look for a man. He found Raphael, who was an angel.

Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel.

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends to help people.

5But Tobias did not know that. He said to him, "Can you go with me to Rages? Do you know those places well?"

But he knew not; and he said unto him, Canst thou go with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well?

NoteRages was a city very far away. Walking there took many days.

6The angel said to him, "I will go with you. I know the way well. I have stayed at the house of our brother Gabael."

To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.

NoteHere brother means someone from the same people. Gabael was not really his brother.

7Then Tobias said to him, "Wait for me. I will go tell my father."

Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father.

8The man said to him, "Go, and do not be slow." So Tobias went in to his father. He said, "Look, I have found someone who will go with me." His father said, "Call him to me. I want to know what tribe he is from. I want to know if he is safe to travel with you."

Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not. So he went in and said to his father, Behold, I have found one which will go with me. Then he said, Call him unto me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee.

NoteA tribe was a big family group. The people of Israel had twelve tribes.

9So Tobias called him, and the man came in. The two of them greeted each other.

So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another.

10Then Tobit said to him, "Brother, tell me what tribe and family you come from."

Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what tribe and family thou art.

11The man said to him, "Are you looking for a tribe and a family? Or for a worker to go with your son?" Then Tobit said to him, "Brother, I want to know your family and your name."

To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name.

12Then he said, "I am Azarias. My father was Ananias the great. I am one of your own people."

Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of thy brethren.

NoteCalling a man great meant people looked up to him.

13Then Tobit said, "Welcome, brother. Please do not be angry with me. I only asked about your tribe and your family. You are my brother, and your family is good and honest. I knew Ananias and Jonathas, the sons of the great Samaias. We went to Jerusalem together to worship. We gave the firstborn animals there. We gave a tenth of what our fields grew. Those men did not go the wrong way like others of our people did. My brother, you come from good people.

Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother, thou art of a good stock.

NoteJerusalem was the city with God's temple, the special place for worship. Giving the firstborn animals meant giving God the first baby animal born. Giving a tenth meant giving one basket out of every ten.

14But tell me, what pay should I give you? Will you take one drachm a day? I will also give you what you need, just like my own son.

But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?

NoteA drachm was a small silver coin. It was about one day's pay for a worker.

15And if you both come home safe, I will give you more than that."

Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to thy wages.

16They were both happy with this. Then Tobit said to Tobias, "Get ready for the trip. May God give you a good trip." When his son had everything ready, his father said to him, "Go with this man. May God, who lives in heaven, make your trip go well. May the angel of God travel with you." So the two of them went out. The young man's dog went with them.

So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things for the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man’s dog with them.

17But Anna his mother cried. She said to Tobit, "Why have you sent our son away? Is he not the strong stick in our hand? He goes in and out in front of us.

But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?

NotePeople leaned on a strong stick when they walked. Anna means her son holds them up like that.

18Do not be greedy to pile up more and more money. Next to our child, money is only trash.

Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as refuse in respect of our child.

19What the Lord has given us to live on is enough for us."

For that which the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us.

20Then Tobit said to her, "Do not worry, my sister. He will come home safe. Your own eyes will see him.

Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.

NoteHusbands sometimes called their wives sister. It was a warm, loving word.

21The good angel will travel with him. His trip will go well. He will come home safe."

For the good angel will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.

22Then she stopped crying.

Then she made an end of weeping.

1They came to the city of Ecbatana. They went to the house of Raguel. Sara came out to meet them. They greeted each other. Then she brought them inside the house.

And when they were come to Ecbatane, they came to the house of Raguel, and Sara met them: and after they had saluted one another, she brought them into the house.

NoteEcbatana was a city far away from Tobias's home. Getting there took many days of walking.

2Raguel said to his wife Edna, "This young man looks so much like my cousin Tobit!"

Then said Raguel to Edna his wife, How like is this young man to Tobit my cousin!

3Raguel asked them, "Where are you from, brothers?" They said, "We are sons of Naphtali. We are captives in the city of Nineveh."

And Raguel asked them, From whence are ye, brethren? To whom they said, We are of the sons of Nephthalim, which are captives in Nineve.

NoteNaphtali was one of the big family groups of Israel. Captives are people taken away from home by soldiers. Their families had been carried off to live in Nineveh, a city in another land.

4Then he said to them, "Do you know Tobit, our relative?" They said, "We know him." Then he asked, "Is he well?"

Then he said to them, Do ye know Tobit our kinsman? And they said, We know him. Then said he, Is he in good health?

5They said, "He is alive, and he is well." And Tobias said, "He is my father."

And they said, He is both alive, and in good health: and Tobias said, He is my father.

6Then Raguel jumped up. He kissed Tobias, and he cried.

Then Raguel leaped up, and kissed him, and wept,

7He blessed him and said, "You are the son of an honest, good man." Then he heard that Tobit was blind. That made him sad, and he cried.

And blessed him, and said unto him, Thou art the son of an honest and good man. But when he had heard that Tobit was blind, he was sorrowful, and wept.

NoteTo bless someone means to say kind words over them. You are asking God to be good to that person.

8Edna his wife cried too, and so did Sara his daughter. They welcomed their guests gladly. They killed a ram from the flock. They put plenty of food on the table. Then Tobias said to Raphael, "Brother Azarias, tell him the things you talked about on the road. Let this matter be settled."

And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept. Moreover they entertained them cheerfully; and after that they had killed a ram of the flock, they set store of meat on the table. Then said Tobias to Raphael, Brother Azarias, speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched.

NoteA ram is a grown male sheep. Killing an animal for a big meal was how people showed guests they were welcome and important.

1Tobit, the father of Tobias, counted every day. The days for the trip passed, and they did not come.

Now Tobit his father counted every day: and when the days of the journey were expired, and they came not,

NoteTobit was blind. His son Tobias went far away to get money for the family. Tobit counted the days until his son should come home.

2Then Tobit said, "Are they being kept there? Or is Gabael dead, and no one is there to give him the money?"

Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead, and there is no man to give him the money?

NoteGabael was a friend who lived far away. Long ago there were no banks. Tobit had left his money with Gabael to keep safe.

3So he was very sad.

Therefore he was very sorry.

4Then his wife said to him, "My son is dead. He has stayed away too long." She began to cry loudly for him, and she said,

Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead, seeing he stayeth long; and she began to wail him, and said,

NoteLong ago, when someone died, people cried out loud so everyone could hear their sadness. It was how they showed love for the person.

5"Now nothing matters to me, my son. I let you go, and you are the light of my eyes."

Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let thee go, the light of mine eyes.

Note"The light of mine eyes" is a way of saying "the one I love most." She means Tobias made her days happy.

6Tobit said to her, "Be quiet. Do not worry. He is safe."

To whom Tobit said, Hold thy peace, take no care, for he is safe.

NoteThe King James says "Hold thy peace." That means "please stop saying that." Tobit was not being unkind to his wife.

7But she said, "Be quiet, and do not fool me. My son is dead." Every day she went out to the road they had taken. She ate no food in the daytime. All night long she cried for her son Tobias. She did this until the fourteen days of the wedding were over. Raguel had made a promise that Tobias would stay there that long. Then Tobias said to Raguel, "Let me go. My father and my mother do not expect to see me again."

But she said, Hold thy peace, and deceive me not; my son is dead. And she went out every day into the way which they went, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and ceased not whole nights to bewail her son Tobias, until the fourteen days of the wedding were expired, which Raguel had sworn that he should spend there. Then Tobias said to Raguel, Let me go, for my father and my mother look no more to see me.

NoteA wedding party in those days lasted many days, with food and singing. Raguel had promised his new son-in-law would stay for all fourteen days. Not eating in the daytime was a way to show deep sadness.

1After this Tobias went on his way. He praised God for a good journey. He blessed Raguel and Edna his wife. Then he traveled on until they came near Nineveh.

After these things Tobias went his way, praising God that he had given him a prosperous journey, and blessed Raguel and Edna his wife, and went on his way till they drew near unto Nineve.

NoteRaguel and Edna are the parents of Tobias' new wife. To bless someone means to say kind words about them. You ask God to be good to them.

2Then Raphael said to Tobias, "You know, brother, how you left your father."

Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother, how thou didst leave thy father:

NoteRaphael is really an angel. Tobias does not know that yet. Calling someone "brother" was a friendly way to talk to a friend.

3"Let us hurry on ahead of your wife and get the house ready."

Let us haste before thy wife, and prepare the house.

4"And carry the gall of the fish in your hand." So they went on their way, and the dog went after them.

And take in thine hand the gall of the fish. So they went their way, and the dog went after them.

NoteGall is a bitter juice from inside a fish. Tobias saved it earlier. Long ago people used it like medicine.

5Now Anna sat and looked down the road, watching for her son.

Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son.

NoteAnna is Tobias' mother. She has waited many days for him to come home.

6She saw him coming. She said to his father, "Look, your son is coming. The man who went with him is coming too."

And when she espied him coming, she said to his father, Behold, thy son cometh, and the man that went with him.

7Then Raphael said, "I know, Tobias, that your father will open his eyes."

Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that thy father will open his eyes.

8"So rub the gall on his eyes. It will sting him, and he will rub them. The white stuff will fall off. Then he will see you."

Therefore anoint thou his eyes with the gall, and being pricked therewith, he shall rub, and the whiteness shall fall away, and he shall see thee.

NoteTobit's eyes were covered with a white film. It was like a skin over his eyes. That is why he could not see.

9Then Anna ran out. She threw her arms around her son's neck. She said, "I have seen you, my son. Now I am ready to die." They both cried.

Then Anna ran forth, and fell upon the neck of her son, and said unto him, Seeing I have seen thee, my son, from henceforth I am content to die. And they wept both.

NotePeople said this when they were very, very happy. It meant she had everything she ever wished for.

10Tobit went out toward the door too, and he tripped. But his son ran to him.

Tobit also went forth toward the door, and stumbled: but his son ran unto him,

NoteTobit could not see, so he did not know where the door was. That is why he tripped.

11He took hold of his father. He rubbed the gall on his father's eyes. He said, "Have good hope, my father."

And took hold of his father: and he strake of the gall on his fathers’ eyes, saying, Be of good hope, my father.

12His eyes began to sting, and he rubbed them.

And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them;

13The white stuff peeled away from the corners of his eyes. He saw his son, and he threw his arms around him.

And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his eyes: and when he saw his son, he fell upon his neck.

14He cried and said, "Blessed are you, O God. Blessed is your name forever. Blessed are all your holy angels."

And he wept, and said, Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever; and blessed are all thine holy angels:

NoteAngels are God's messengers. Raphael is one of them.

15"You punished me, and you have had pity on me. Look, I see my son Tobias." His son went in full of joy. He told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.

For thou hast scourged, and hast taken pity on me: for, behold, I see my son Tobias. And his son went in rejoicing, and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media.

NoteThe old words say "scourged," which meant whipped. Here it means Tobit had a hard, sad time. Media was a land far away, where Tobias had traveled.

16Then Tobit went out to the gate of Nineveh to meet his son's wife. He was full of joy and praised God. The people who saw him walking were amazed, because he could see again.

Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at the gate of Nineve, rejoicing and praising God: and they which saw him go marvelled, because he had received his sight.

NoteCities long ago had a big wall around them. The gate was the doorway in the wall. People met there to talk and greet each other.

17Tobit thanked God in front of them all, because God had shown him mercy. He came near to Sara, his son's wife. He blessed her and said, "Welcome, daughter. Blessed be God, who has brought you to us. Blessed be your father and your mother." And all his family in Nineveh were glad.

But Tobias gave thanks before them, because God had mercy on him. And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law, he blessed her, saying, Thou art welcome, daughter: God be blessed, which hath brought thee unto us, and blessed be thy father and thy mother. And there was joy among all his brethren which were at Nineve.

NoteSara is the woman Tobias married. She is new to this family and this city.

18Then Achiacharus came, and Nasbas his brother's son.

And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his brother’s son, came:

NoteThese are two more people in Tobit's family. Their names are hard to say. Achiacharus sounds like ak-EE-a-kar-us.