Introduction
A NOTE ON THIS RENDERING
THE WITNESS — AND THE ONE BOOK WHOSE ORIGINAL WE STILL HOLD
TOVIYAH WAS WRITTEN IN ARAMAIC, and this is not conjecture. IN 1952, CAVE 4 AT QUMRAN GAVE UP FIVE MANUSCRIPTS OF IT — FOUR IN ARAMAIC (4Q196–199) AND ONE IN HEBREW (4Q200) — COPIED BETWEEN ROUGHLY 100 BC AND AD 25. They lay in that cave from before Yeshua was born until the year they were found. NO CHURCH TOUCHED THEM. NO COUNCIL TOUCHED THEM. Of every book on this second shelf, THIS IS THE ONE WHERE FRAGMENTS OF THE ACTUAL VORLAGE SURVIVE, and the House therefore RESTORES here with more warrant than anywhere else in this Bible. Base: the King James Apocrypha of 1611, as for 1 Ezra and 1–2 Makabim. AND WHAT THE BASE IS, HONESTLY STATED The Greek of Toviyah survives in two families. G-I, THE SHORT TEXT (Codex Vaticanus), and G-II, THE LONG TEXT (Codex Sinaiticus and the Old Latin), which is some 1,700 words longer and far more Semitic in its Greek. THE KJV OF 1611 TRANSLATED THE SHORT TEXT, because in 1611 there was no way to know better. The Qumran fragments generally favour THE LONG TEXT, and most scholars now judge the short text to be a curtailment that smoothed out the Hebraisms. THE HOUSE SAYS SO PLAINLY RATHER THAN PRETENDING OTHERWISE. But see the next entry, for the matter is not one-sided. THE GOLDEN RULE — WHICH THE “BETTER” MANUSCRIPT LOST 4:15 — DO THAT TO NO MAN WHICH THOU HATEST. The Golden Rule, in the negative, CENTURIES BEFORE HILLEL SAID “what is hateful to thee, do not to thy fellow — that is the whole Torah”, and centuries before Mattityahu 7:12. AND IT IS NOT IN CODEX SINAITICUS. The whole passage 4:7–18 is missing there — almost certainly a scribe’s eye skipping a line — and it is not preserved in the Qumran Aramaic either. SO THE SHORTER GREEK THAT THE KJV TRANSLATED PRESERVES A VERSE THE LONGER MANUSCRIPT LOST. Every witness has its holes. THIS IS WHY THE HOUSE NAMES ITS BASE INSTEAD OF BOASTING OF IT. AND WHY THE MEDIEVAL HEBREW WAS REFUSED Rabbinic Judaism did not preserve this book; there is no Masoretic Toviyah. The Hebrew manuscripts that exist are MEDIEVAL — twelfth to fifteenth century — and they are RETROVERSIONS: translations back OUT of the Greek and Latin, INTO Hebrew, more than a thousand years after the fact. Some rework the book around tithing, AND ONE OF THEM ABRIDGES THE ENDING AND STOPS AT THIRTEEN CHAPTERS. But 4Q198 preserves 14:2–6 in Aramaic, 4Q196 preserves 13:12–14:3, and the Hebrew 4Q200 preserves 13:18–14:2. FIVE MANUSCRIPTS ATTEST CHAPTER FOURTEEN, AND FOUR OF THEM ARE IN ARAMAIC. A THIRTEEN-CHAPTER TOVIYAH IS MISSING A CHAPTER THE SCROLLS PROVE WAS THERE — and under the Vorlage Doctrine, a medieval back-translation is exactly the thing this House exists to refuse: WE RESTORE WHAT WAS TRANSLATED; WE DO NOT INVENT WHAT WAS NOT. 12:15 — THE SEVEN, AND A FOURTH BRIDGE TO CHANOCH I AM RAPHA’EL, ONE OF THE SHEVA HOLY MAL’ACHIM, WHICH PRESENT THE PRAYERS OF THE KEDOSHIM, AND WHICH GO IN AND OUT BEFORE THE KAVOD OF THE HOLY ONE. That is 1 Chanoch 20 — the seven who stand before the glory — and it is the fourth Enochic bridge in this Bible, after the IRIN of Dani’el 4, the LORD OF SPIRITS of 2 Makabim 3:24, and the GIANTS of 3 Makabim 2:4. And set 12:12 — I DID BRING THE REMEMBRANCE OF YOUR PRAYERS BEFORE THE HOLY ONE — beside Chazon Yochanan 8:2–4: I SAW THE SEVEN MAL’ACHIM WHICH STOOD BEFORE ELOHIM... AND THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE, WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE KEDOSHIM, ASCENDED UP BEFORE ELOHIM OUT OF THE MAL’ACH’S HAND. THE MAL’ACH WHO CARRIES PRAYERS TO THE THRONE IS NOT A LATE INVENTION. HE IS STANDING IN THIS BOOK, AND HE GIVES HIS NAME. 13:16–18 — AND THE NEW YERUSHALAYIM IS ALREADY HERE FOR YERUSHALAYIM SHALL BE BUILT UP WITH SAPPHIRES, AND EMERALDS, AND PRECIOUS STONE; THY WALLS AND TOWERS AND BATTLEMENTS WITH PURE GOLD. AND THE STREETS OF YERUSHALAYIM SHALL BE PAVED WITH BERYL, AND CARBUNCLE, AND STONES OF OPHIR. AND ALL HER STREETS SHALL SAY, HALLELUYAH. Now Chazon Yochanan 21:18–21: THE WALL OF IT WAS OF JASPER... THE FOUNDATIONS GARNISHED WITH ALL MANNER OF PRECIOUS STONES... AND THE STREET OF THE CITY WAS PURE GOLD. YOCHANAN IS NOT DESCRIBING SOMETHING NEW. HE IS DESCRIBING SOMETHING A BLIND MAN IN NINVEH SAW FIRST.
14:5–7 — THE ENDING THE ABRIDGERS CUT OFF
THEY SHALL BUILD A HEICHAL — BUT NOT LIKE TO THE FIRST — UNTIL THE TIME OF THAT AGE BE FULFILLED... AND ALL NATIONS SHALL TURN, AND FEAR YAHUAH ELOHIM TRULY, AND SHALL BURY THEIR IDOLS. TWO HOUSES, THE SECOND EXPRESSLY NOT LIKE THE FIRST, AND A LIMIT SET ON IT — AND THEN THE GOYIM BURY THEIR IDOLS AND COME IN. It is the grafting-in, spoken in Ninveh, and 4Q198 preserves this very passage in Aramaic from about 50 BC. And 13:3 tells you why the exile happened at all: CONFESS HIM BEFORE THE GOYIM, YE CHILDREN OF YISRA’EL — FOR HE HATH SCATTERED US AMONG THEM. THE SCATTERING IS NOT ONLY PUNISHMENT. IT IS DEPLOYMENT. TOVIYAH IS IYOV IN THE DIASPORA A righteous man, stripped of his goods (1:20), struck in the body (2:10), MOCKED BY HIS NEIGHBOURS (2:8), REBUKED BY HIS WIFE (2:14 — WHERE ARE THINE ALMS, AND THY RIGHTEOUS DEEDS?), who then PRAYS TO DIE (3:6). Compare Iyov 2:9. And the sting is that the blindness came FROM THE CHESED: he left the mo’ed to bury a corpse, was made TAMEI by it, slept by the wall unclean — AND THAT IS WHERE HE WAS BLINDED. THE ACT OF MERCY COST HIM HIS EYES. THE HOUSE PRINTS THAT AND DOES NOT RESOLVE IT. And unlike Iyov, this man lives to see, and blesses the scourging and the pity in one breath: THOU HAST SCOURGED, AND HAST TAKEN PITY ON ME (11:15). THE THREE TITHES, AND THE MO’ADIM KEPT ALONE 1:6–8 lays out THE FULL THREE-TITHE STRUCTURE OF DEVARIM 14 — the first to the Kohanim, THE SECOND EATEN AT YERUSHALAYIM, the third to the poor — more plainly than any other book in this Bible. And 1:5–6: HIS WHOLE TRIBE HAD GONE OVER TO YERAV’AM’S CALVES, AND HE WENT UP TO THE MO’ADIM ALONE. That is the earliest link in the appointed-times chain that runs through this whole canon. And 2:1 names SHAVU’OT twice over — which is why medieval Jewish communities read this book on the second day of the feast. AND THE TABLE THAT WAITS ON THE COVENANT 1:11 — he would not eat THE BREAD OF THE GOYIM (compare Dani’el 1:8, two centuries later, in the same exile). 2:13 — blind, ruined and hungry, HE SENDS BACK A STOLEN KID: IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO EAT ANY THING THAT IS STOLEN. 7:11 — the son, at his own betrothal feast: I WILL EAT NOTHING HERE, TILL WE AGREE AND SWEAR ONE TO ANOTHER. THREE TIMES FOOD IS SET BEFORE THIS FAMILY, AND THREE TIMES THE TABLE WAITS ON THE COVENANT. THE GO’EL, AND WHY RUT STANDS BESIDE THIS BOOK Sarah is an only daughter with no brother and no heir (3:15), and 3:17 says she belongs to Toviyah BY RIGHT OF INHERITANCE. At 6:12 the mal’ach says Ra’u’el CANNOT MARRY HER TO ANOTHER ACCORDING TO THE TORAH OF MOSHE — AND THE MARGIN OF THE 1611 ITSELF CITES BAMIDBAR 27:8 AND 36:8, THE DAUGHTERS OF TZELOFCHAD. So the marriage in this book is not romance; IT IS TORAH, and Toviyah the son is her GO’EL. WHICH MAKES THIS A KINSMAN-REDEEMER STORY, LIKE RUT — one woman GRAFTED IN, one woman KEPT IN, by the same law, and both stand in this canon. ACHIKAR, AND THE KETUBAH — TWO TOUCHES OF ELEPHANTINE 1:21 names ACHIKAR, and he is not a fiction: the Aramaic WORDS OF AHIQAR were found among the papyri of the Jewish colony at Elephantine in Egypt, dated to about 400 BC. And 7:14 — THEY TOOK PAPER, AND DID WRITE AN INSTRUMENT OF COVENANTS, AND SEALED IT — is a written, witnessed KETUBAH, described nowhere in the Tanakh, and matching Jewish marriage contracts of the fifth century BC. TWO INDEPENDENT CONTACTS WITH ELEPHANTINE, AND BOTH POINT TO A BOOK OLDER AND FAR MORE SEMITIC THAN ITS GREEK DRESS. THE THIRD SUICIDE-DATUM — AND THE FIRST ANSWER 3:10 — Sarah HAS THE ROPE IN HER HAND, and puts it down: I AM THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF MY FATHER; AND IF I DO THIS, IT SHALL BE A REPROACH UNTO HIM. She is not stopped by fear. SHE IS STOPPED BY CHESED. Set her beside Razis, who cast his own bowels at the crowd (2 Makabim 14:46), and the youngest brother, who hurled himself into the pans (4 Makabim 12:20). THE HOUSE PRINTS ALL THREE AND RESOLVES NONE OF THEM — BUT WITH SARAH, THE CANON NOW HOLDS AN ANSWER INSIDE ITSELF. THE HARD VERSE, PRINTED WHOLE 12:9 — TZEDAKAH DOTH DELIVER FROM DEATH, AND SHALL PURGE AWAY ALL CHET. This is the verse for which the Reformers struck the book, and the House prints it EXACTLY AS IT STANDS and argues nothing in the verse. Note only what sits beside it: 12:8 — PRAYER IS GOOD WITH FASTING, AND TZEDAKAH, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Mattityahu 6 treats THE SAME THREE PRACTICES IN THE SAME ORDER — almsgiving, prayer, fasting — as the assumed pillars of Hebraic piety. YESHUA DOES NOT INTRODUCE THEM; HE CORRECTS HOW THEY ARE DONE. 12:8 SHOWS YOU WHAT HE WAS CORRECTING. And the difficulty of the fish’s heart and liver (6:16–17, 8:2–3) is likewise printed and not smoothed — though note that the smoke only clears the room: IT IS THE PRAYER THAT SAVES THEM (8:4–8), AND THE BOOK DOES NOT ACTUALLY TRUST THE FISH. THE NAMES FATHER AND SON BEAR THE SAME NAME — TOVIYAH, טוֹבִיָּה, YAHUAH IS GOOD. The Greek split them into Tobit and Tobias and the Latin collapsed them into one, and readers have been confused ever since. THE HOUSE PRINTS TOVIYAH FOR BOTH, distinguishing them as the sense requires. AND THE NAME IS THE ARGUMENT: THE WHOLE BOOK IS A CLAIM THAT YAHUAH IS GOOD, MADE BY A BLIND MAN WHO HAS LOST EVERYTHING. RAPHA’EL is EL HEALS, and he is sent to heal; his false name, AZARYAH, means YAHUAH HELPS — SO EVEN THE ALIAS TELLS THE TRUTH. THE TONGUE Hebrew terms are set in the House’s green and glossed at their first appearance in this book, then left bare. The Name YAHUAH is never glossed. Numbers that SIGNIFY are Hebraised — the SHEVA husbands, the SHEVA holy mal’achim, the SHEVA YAMIM of the wedding. Numbers that MEASURE — the talents, the ages, the years — are left in English. RULE X.4 The text is rendered as it stands. The translation is never adjusted to fit a conclusion. Interpretation belongs to the introductions and the notes — never to the verse.
Chapter 1
1
The book of the words of TOVIYAH (טוֹבִיָּה, Tobit), son of Toviel, the son of Chananel, the son of Adu'el, the son of Gavael, of the seed of Asa'el, OF THE TRIBE OF NAFTALI;
2
who in the time of Enemessar king of Ashur was led captive out of Tishbe, which is at the right hand of that city which is called properly Naftali in the Galil, above Asher.
3
I, TOVIYAH, HAVE WALKED ALL THE YAMIM OF MY LIFE IN THE WAY OF EMET (אֱמֶת, truth) AND TZEDAKAH (צְדָקָה, justice, righteousness, almsgiving); and I did many deeds of tzedakah to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Ninveh into the land of Ashur.
4
And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Yisra'el, being but young, ALL THE TRIBE OF NAFTALI MY FATHER FELL FROM THE HOUSE OF YERUSHALAYIM — which was chosen out of all the tribes of Yisra'el, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the Heichal of the habitation of El Elyon was consecrated, AND BUILT FOR ALL AGES.
5
Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Naftali, SACRIFICED UNTO THE HEIFER BAAL.
6
BUT I ALONE WENT OFTEN TO YERUSHALAYIM AT THE MO'ADIM (מוֹעֲדִים, the appointed times, the feasts), as it was ordained unto all the am of Yisra'el BY AN EVERLASTING DECREE — having the bikkurim, and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the mizbeach to the Kohanim, the children of Aharon.
7
THE FIRST TENTH PART of all increase I gave to the sons of Aharon, who ministered at Yerushalayim. ANOTHER TENTH PART I sold away, and went, and spent it every shanah at Yerushalayim.
8
AND THE THIRD I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Devorah my father's mother had commanded me; FOR I WAS LEFT AN ORPHAN BY MY FATHER.
9
Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married CHANNAH of mine own kindred; and of her I begat TOVIYAH the son.
10
And when we were carried away captives to Ninveh, ALL MY BRETHREN, AND THOSE THAT WERE OF MY KINDRED, DID EAT OF THE BREAD OF THE GOYIM.
11
BUT I KEPT MYSELF FROM EATING;
12
BECAUSE I REMEMBERED ELOHIM WITH ALL MY HEART.
13
And El Elyon gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.
14
And I went into Madai, and left in trust with Gavael, the brother of Gavrias, at Rages a city of Madai, ten talents of silver.
15
Now when Enemessar was dead, SANCHERIV his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Madai.
16
And in the time of Enemessar I GAVE MANY DEEDS OF TZEDAKAH TO MY BRETHREN, AND GAVE MY BREAD TO THE HUNGRY,
17
AND MY CLOTHES TO THE NAKED. AND IF I SAW ANY OF MY NATION DEAD, OR CAST ABOUT THE WALLS OF NINVEH, I BURIED HIM.
18
AND IF THE KING SANCHERIV HAD SLAIN ANY, when he was come and fled from Yehudah, I BURIED THEM PRIVILY — for in his wrath he killed many — but the bodies were not found when they were sought for of the king.
19
And when one of the Ninvites went and complained of me to the king that I buried them, and hid myself — understanding that I was sought for to be put to death — I withdrew myself for fear.
20
THEN ALL MY GOODS WERE FORCIBLY TAKEN AWAY; NEITHER WAS THERE ANY THING LEFT ME, BESIDES MY WIFE CHANNAH AND MY SON TOVIYAH.
21
And there passed not five and fifty yamim before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat; and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead, who appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs, ACHIKAR (אֲחִיקָר, Achiacharus) my brother Anael's son.
22
And Achikar, entreating for me, I returned to Ninveh. Now Achikar was cup-bearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts; and Esarhaddon appointed him next unto him. AND HE WAS MY BROTHER'S SON.
Chapter 2
1
Now when I was come home again, and my wife Channah was restored unto me, with my son Toviyah, IN THE MO'ED OF SHAVU'OT (שָׁבֻעוֹת, Pentecost), WHICH IS THE HOLY FEAST OF THE SEVEN WEEKS, there was a good dinner prepared me, in the which I sat down to eat.
2
And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son: "GO AND BRING WHAT POOR MAN SOEVER THOU SHALT FIND OUT OF OUR BRETHREN, WHO IS MINDFUL OF YAHUAH; AND LO, I TARRY FOR THEE."
3
But he came again, and said, "Father, ONE OF OUR NATION IS STRANGLED, AND IS CAST OUT IN THE MARKET PLACE."
4
THEN, BEFORE I HAD TASTED OF ANY MEAT, I START UP, AND TOOK HIM UP INTO A ROOM, UNTIL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN.
5
Then I returned, and washed myself, AND ATE MY MEAT IN HEAVINESS,
6
REMEMBERING THAT PROPHECY OF AMOS, AS HE SAID: "YOUR MO'ADIM SHALL BE TURNED INTO MOURNING, AND ALL YOUR MIRTH INTO LAMENTATION."
7
THEREFORE I WEPT. And after the going down of the sun, I went and made a grave, AND BURIED HIM.
8
But my neighbours mocked me, and said, "THIS MAN IS NOT YET AFRAID TO BE PUT TO DEATH FOR THIS MATTER, WHO FLED AWAY; AND YET, LO, HE BURIETH THE DEAD AGAIN."
9
The same lailah also I returned from the burial, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, BEING POLLUTED; and my face was uncovered.
10
And I knew not that there were sparrows in the wall; and, mine eyes being open, the sparrows muted warm dung into mine eyes, AND A WHITENESS CAME IN MINE EYES. And I went to the physicians, BUT THEY HELPED ME NOT. Moreover, Achikar did nourish me, until I went into Elymais.
11
And my wife Channah did take women's works to do.
12
And when she had sent them home to the owners, they paid her wages, and gave her also besides a kid.
13
And when it was in mine house, and began to cry, I said unto her, "From whence is this kid? IS IT NOT STOLEN? RENDER IT TO THE OWNERS; FOR IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO EAT ANY THING THAT IS STOLEN."
14
But she replied upon me, "It was given for a gift, more than the wages." Howbeit I did not believe her, but bade her render it to the owners; and I was abashed at her. BUT SHE REPLIED UPON ME: "WHERE ARE THINE ALMS, AND THY RIGHTEOUS DEEDS? BEHOLD, THOU AND ALL THY WORKS ARE KNOWN."
Chapter 3
1
Then I, being grieved, did weep; and in my sorrow prayed, saying,
2
"O Yahuah, THOU ART JUST, AND ALL THY WORKS; AND ALL THY WAYS ARE CHESED (חֶסֶד, mercy, lovingkindness) AND EMET; AND THOU JUDGEST TRULY AND JUSTLY FOR EVER.
3
Remember me, and look on me. Punish me not for my chata'im and ignorances, nor the chata'im of my fathers, who have sinned before Thee.
4
FOR THEY OBEYED NOT THY MITZVOT; 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.
5
And now Thy judgments are many and true. Deal with me according to my chata'im, and my fathers': BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT KEPT THY MITZVOT, NEITHER HAVE WALKED IN EMET BEFORE THEE.
6
Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto Thee, AND COMMAND MY RUACH 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."
7
IT CAME TO PASS THE SAME YOM, that in Ecbatana, a city of Madai, SARAH the daughter of Ra'u'el was also reproached by her father's maids;
8
because that she had been married to SHEVA husbands, whom ASMODEUS (אַשְׁמְדַאי, Ashmedai) the evil ruach had killed before they had lain with her. "Dost thou not know," said they, "THAT THOU HAST STRANGLED THINE HUSBANDS? Thou hast had already sheva husbands, neither wast thou named after any of them.
9
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."
10
When 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."
11
THEN SHE PRAYED TOWARD THE WINDOW, and said: "Blessed art Thou, O Yahuah my Elohim; and THINE HOLY AND GLORIOUS NAME IS BLESSED AND HONOURABLE FOR EVER. Let all Thy works praise Thee for ever.
12
And now, O Yahuah, I SET MINE EYES AND MY FACE TOWARD THEE,
13
and say: Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no more the reproach.
14
THOU KNOWEST, ADONAI, THAT I AM PURE FROM ALL CHET WITH MAN;
15
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 sheva 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."
16
SO THE PRAYERS OF THEM BOTH WERE HEARD BEFORE THE MAJESTY OF THE GREAT ELOHIM.
17
AND RAPHA'EL (רְפָאֵל, Raphael) WAS SENT TO HEAL THEM BOTH: that is, to scale away the whiteness of Toviyah's eyes; and to give Sarah the daughter of Ra'u'el for a wife to Toviyah the son of Toviyah; and TO BIND ASMODEUS THE EVIL RUACH — because she belongeth to Toviyah BY RIGHT OF INHERITANCE. The selfsame time came Toviyah home, and entered into his house; and Sarah the daughter of Ra'u'el came down from her upper chamber.
Chapter 4
1
In that yom Toviyah remembered the money which he had committed to Gavael in Rages of Madai;
2
and said within himself, "I HAVE WISHED FOR DEATH. Wherefore do I not call for my son Toviyah, that I may signify to him of the money before I die?"
3
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 YAMIM OF THY LIFE; and do that which shall please her, and grieve her not.
4
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.
5
My son, BE MINDFUL OF YAHUAH OUR ELOHIM ALL THY YAMIM; and let not thy will be set to chet, or to transgress His mitzvot. DO UPRIGHTLY ALL THY LIFE LONG, AND FOLLOW NOT THE WAYS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
6
For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly.
7
GIVE TZEDAKAH OF THY SUBSTANCE; and when thou givest tzedakah, LET NOT THINE EYE BE ENVIOUS, NEITHER TURN THY FACE FROM ANY POOR — AND THE FACE OF ELOHIM SHALL NOT BE TURNED AWAY FROM THEE.
8
IF THOU HAST ABUNDANCE, GIVE TZEDAKAH ACCORDINGLY. IF THOU HAVE BUT A LITTLE, BE NOT AFRAID TO GIVE ACCORDING TO THAT LITTLE.
9
FOR THOU LAYEST UP A GOOD TREASURE FOR THYSELF AGAINST THE YOM OF NECESSITY.
10
BECAUSE THAT TZEDAKAH DOTH DELIVER FROM DEATH, AND SUFFERETH NOT TO COME INTO DARKNESS.
11
For tzedakah is a good gift unto all that give it, IN THE SIGHT OF EL ELYON.
12
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 NEVI'IM — NOACH, AVRAHAM, YITZCHAK, AND YA'AKOV. 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.
13
Now therefore, my son, LOVE THY BRETHREN; and despise not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy am, 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.
14
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 Elohim, He will also repay thee. BE CIRCUMSPECT, MY SON, IN ALL THINGS THOU DOEST, AND BE WISE IN ALL THY CONVERSATION.
15
DO THAT TO NO MAN WHICH THOU HATEST. Drink not wine to make thee drunken; neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey.
16
GIVE OF THY BREAD TO THE HUNGRY, AND OF THY GARMENTS TO THEM THAT ARE NAKED; and according to thine abundance give tzedakah; and let not thine eye be envious when thou givest tzedakah.
17
Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.
18
ASK COUNSEL OF ALL THAT ARE WISE, AND DESPISE NOT ANY COUNSEL THAT IS PROFITABLE.
19
BLESS YAHUAH THY ELOHIM 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 YAHUAH 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.
20
And now I signify this to thee: that I committed ten talents to Gavael the son of Gavrias, at Rages in Madai.
21
AND FEAR NOT, MY SON, THAT WE ARE MADE POOR. FOR THOU HAST MUCH WEALTH, IF THOU FEAR ELOHIM, AND DEPART FROM ALL CHET, AND DO THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT."
Chapter 5
1
Toviyah the son then answered and said, "Father, I WILL DO ALL THINGS WHICH THOU HAST COMMANDED ME.
2
But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not?"
3
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."
4
THEREFORE, WHEN HE WENT TO SEEK A MAN, HE FOUND RAPHA'EL — THAT WAS A MAL'ACH.
5
BUT HE KNEW NOT. And he said unto him, "Canst thou go with me to Rages? And knowest thou those places well?"
6
To whom the mal'ach said, "I WILL GO WITH THEE, AND I KNOW THE WAY WELL; for I have lodged with our brother Gavael."
7
Then Toviyah said unto him, "Tarry for me, till I tell my father."
8
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."
9
So he called him; and he came in, and they saluted one another.
10
Then Toviyah said unto him, "Brother, shew me of what tribe and family thou art."
11
To whom he said, "Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son?" Then Toviyah said unto him, "I would know, brother, thy kindred and name."
12
Then he said, "I AM AZARYAH (עֲזַרְיָה, Azarias), THE SON OF CHANANYAH THE GREAT, AND OF THY BRETHREN."
13
Then Toviyah 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 Chananyah and Yonatan, sons of that great Shema'yah: AS WE WENT TOGETHER TO YERUSHALAYIM 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.
14
But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? Wilt thou a drachma a yom, and things necessary, as to mine own son?
15
Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to the wages."
16
So they were well pleased. Then said he to Toviyah the son, "Prepare thyself for the journey, and Elohim 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 ELOHIM, WHICH DWELLETH IN SHAMAYIM, PROSPER YOUR JOURNEY; AND THE MAL'ACH OF ELOHIM KEEP YOU COMPANY." SO THEY WENT FORTH BOTH — AND THE YOUNG MAN'S DOG WITH THEM.
17
But Channah his mother wept, and said to Toviyah, "WHY HAST THOU SENT AWAY OUR SON? IS HE NOT THE STAFF OF OUR HAND, IN GOING IN AND OUT BEFORE US?
18
BE NOT GREEDY TO ADD MONEY TO MONEY; BUT LET IT BE AS REFUSE IN RESPECT OF OUR CHILD.
19
FOR THAT WHICH YAHUAH HATH GIVEN US TO LIVE WITH DOTH SUFFICE US."
20
Then said Toviyah to her, "Take no care, my sister; HE SHALL RETURN IN SAFETY, AND THINE EYES SHALL SEE HIM.
21
FOR THE GOOD MAL'ACH WILL KEEP HIM COMPANY, AND HIS JOURNEY SHALL BE PROSPEROUS, AND HE SHALL RETURN SAFE."
22
Then she made an end of weeping.
Chapter 6
1
And as they went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river CHIDDEKEL (חִדֶּקֶל, Tigris); and they lodged there.
2
And when the young man went down to wash himself, A FISH LEAPED OUT OF THE RIVER, AND WOULD HAVE DEVOURED HIM.
3
Then the mal'ach said unto him, "TAKE THE FISH." And the young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land.
4
To whom the mal'ach said, "Open the fish, and TAKE THE HEART, AND THE LIVER, AND THE GALL, and put them up safely."
5
So the young man did as the mal'ach commanded him; and when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it. Then they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatana.
6
Then the young man said to the mal'ach, "BROTHER AZARYAH, to what use is the heart, and the liver, and the gall of the fish?"
7
And he said unto him, "Touching the heart and the liver — IF A DEVIL OR AN EVIL RUACH TROUBLE ANY, we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, AND THE PARTY SHALL BE NO MORE VEXED.
8
As for the gall, IT IS GOOD TO ANOINT A MAN THAT HATH WHITENESS IN HIS EYES, AND HE SHALL BE HEALED."
9
And when they were come near to Rages,
10
the mal'ach said to the young man, "Brother, TO YOM WE SHALL LODGE WITH RA'U'EL, WHO IS THY COUSIN. He also hath one only daughter, named SARAH. I will speak for her, that she may be given thee for a wife.
11
FOR TO THEE DOTH THE RIGHT OF HER APPERTAIN, SEEING THOU ONLY ART OF HER KINDRED.
12
And the maid is fair and wise. Now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father; and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage. FOR I KNOW THAT RA'U'EL CANNOT MARRY HER TO ANOTHER ACCORDING TO THE TORAH OF MOSHE, BUT HE SHALL BE GUILTY OF DEATH — BECAUSE THE RIGHT OF INHERITANCE DOTH RATHER APPERTAIN TO THEE THAN TO ANY OTHER."
13
Then the young man answered the mal'ach, "I have heard, brother Azaryah, THAT THIS MAID HATH BEEN GIVEN TO SHEVA MEN, WHO ALL DIED IN THE MARRIAGE CHAMBER.
14
And now I am the only son of my father, and I am afraid, lest, if I go in unto her, I die as the others before. For A WICKED RUACH LOVETH HER, which hurteth nobody, but those which come unto her. Wherefore I also fear lest I die, AND BRING MY FATHER'S AND MY MOTHER'S LIFE, BECAUSE OF ME, TO THE GRAVE WITH SORROW; FOR THEY HAVE NO OTHER SON TO BURY THEM."
15
Then the mal'ach said unto him, "DOST THOU NOT REMEMBER THE PRECEPTS WHICH THY FATHER GAVE THEE — THAT THOU SHOULDEST MARRY A WIFE OF THINE OWN KINDRED? Wherefore hear me, O my brother; FOR SHE SHALL BE GIVEN THEE TO WIFE; and make thou no reckoning of the evil ruach; FOR THIS SAME LAILAH SHALL SHE BE GIVEN THEE IN MARRIAGE.
16
And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber, thou shalt take the ashes of perfume, and shalt lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish, and shalt make a smoke with it.
17
AND THE DEVIL SHALL SMELL IT, AND FLEE AWAY, AND NEVER COME AGAIN ANY MORE. BUT WHEN THOU SHALT COME TO HER, RISE UP BOTH OF YOU, AND PRAY TO ELOHIM WHICH IS MERCIFUL, WHO WILL HAVE PITY ON YOU, AND SAVE YOU. FEAR NOT — FOR SHE IS APPOINTED UNTO THEE FROM THE BEGINNING; AND THOU SHALT PRESERVE HER, AND SHE SHALL GO WITH THEE. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee children." Now when Toviyah the son had heard these things, HE LOVED HER, AND HIS HEART WAS EFFECTUALLY JOINED TO HER.
Chapter 7
1
And when they were come to Ecbatana, they came to the house of RA'U'EL; and Sarah met them. And after they had saluted one another, she brought them into the house.
2
Then said Ra'u'el to EDNAH (עֶדְנָה, Edna) his wife, "HOW LIKE IS THIS YOUNG MAN TO TOVIYAH MY COUSIN!"
3
And Ra'u'el asked them, "From whence are ye, brethren?" To whom they said, "WE ARE OF THE SONS OF NAFTALI, WHICH ARE CAPTIVES IN NINVEH."
4
Then he said to them, "Do ye know Toviyah our kinsman?" And they said, "We know him." Then said he, "Is he in good health?"
5
And they said, "He is both alive, and in good health." And Toviyah the son said, "HE IS MY FATHER."
6
THEN RA'U'EL LEAPED UP, AND KISSED HIM, AND WEPT;
7
and blessed him, and said unto him, "THOU ART THE SON OF AN HONEST AND GOOD MAN." But when he had heard that Toviyah was blind, he was sorrowful, and wept.
8
And likewise Ednah his wife and Sarah 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 Toviyah the son to Rapha'el, "Brother Azaryah, speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched."
9
So he communicated the matter with Ra'u'el. And Ra'u'el said to Toviyah, "Eat, and drink, and make merry.
10
FOR IT IS MEET THAT THOU SHOULDEST MARRY MY DAUGHTER. Nevertheless I WILL DECLARE UNTO THEE THE EMET:
11
I HAVE GIVEN MY DAUGHTER IN MARRIAGE TO SHEVA MEN, WHO DIED THAT LAILAH THEY CAME IN UNTO HER. Nevertheless, for the present, be merry." BUT TOVIYAH SAID: "I WILL EAT NOTHING HERE, TILL WE AGREE AND SWEAR ONE TO ANOTHER."
12
Ra'u'el said, "Then take her from henceforth according to the manner; FOR THOU ART HER COUSIN, AND SHE IS THINE; AND THE MERCIFUL ELOHIM GIVE YOU GOOD SUCCESS IN ALL THINGS."
13
Then he called his daughter Sarah; and she came to her father. AND HE TOOK HER BY THE HAND, AND GAVE HER TO BE WIFE TO TOVIYAH, SAYING: "BEHOLD, TAKE HER AFTER THE TORAH OF MOSHE, AND LEAD HER AWAY TO THY FATHER." AND HE BLESSED THEM.
14
AND CALLED EDNAH HIS WIFE, AND TOOK PAPER, AND DID WRITE AN INSTRUMENT OF COVENANTS, AND SEALED IT.
15
Then they began to eat.
16
After, Ra'u'el called his wife Ednah, and said unto her, "Sister, prepare another chamber, and bring her in thither."
17
Which when she had done as he had bidden her, she brought her thither; AND SHE WEPT, AND SHE RECEIVED THE TEARS OF HER DAUGHTER, and said unto her,
18
"BE OF GOOD COMFORT, MY DAUGHTER. YAHUAH OF SHAMAYIM AND EARTH GIVE THEE JOY FOR THIS THY SORROW. BE OF GOOD COMFORT, MY DAUGHTER."
Chapter 8
1
And when they had supped, they brought Toviyah the son in unto her.
2
And as he went, HE REMEMBERED THE WORDS OF RAPHA'EL; and took the ashes of the perfumes, and put the heart and the liver of the fish thereupon, and made a smoke therewith.
3
The which smell, when the evil ruach had smelled, HE FLED INTO THE UTMOST PARTS OF MITZRAYIM; AND THE MAL'ACH BOUND HIM.
4
And after that they were both shut in together, TOVIYAH ROSE OUT OF THE BED, AND SAID: "SISTER, ARISE; AND LET US PRAY THAT ELOHIM WOULD HAVE PITY ON US."
5
Then began Toviyah to say: "BLESSED ART THOU, O ELOHIM OF OUR FATHERS; AND BLESSED IS THY HOLY AND GLORIOUS NAME FOR EVER. LET THE SHAMAYIM BLESS THEE, AND ALL THY CREATURES.
6
THOU MADEST ADAM, AND GAVEST HIM CHAVAH (חַוָּה, Eve) HIS WIFE FOR AN HELPER AND STAY; OF THEM CAME MANKIND. THOU HAST SAID: 'IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE; LET US MAKE UNTO HIM AN AID LIKE UNTO HIMSELF.'
7
AND NOW, O YAHUAH, I TAKE NOT THIS MY SISTER FOR LUST, BUT UPRIGHTLY. THEREFORE MERCIFULLY ORDAIN THAT WE MAY BECOME AGED TOGETHER."
8
AND SHE SAID WITH HIM: "AMEN."
9
So they slept both that lailah. AND RA'U'EL AROSE, AND WENT AND MADE A GRAVE,
10
saying, "I FEAR LEST HE ALSO BE DEAD."
11
But when Ra'u'el was come into his house,
12
he said unto his wife Ednah, "Send one of the maids, and let her see whether he be alive. If he be not, that we may bury him, AND NO MAN KNOW IT."
13
So the maid opened the door, and went in, AND FOUND THEM BOTH ASLEEP;
14
and came forth, and told them THAT HE WAS ALIVE.
15
THEN RA'U'EL PRAISED ELOHIM, AND SAID: "O ELOHIM, THOU ART WORTHY TO BE PRAISED WITH ALL PURE AND HOLY PRAISE. Therefore let Thy kedoshim praise Thee with all Thy creatures; and let all Thine mal'achim and Thine elect praise Thee for ever.
16
THOU ART TO BE PRAISED, FOR THOU HAST MADE ME JOYFUL; AND THAT IS NOT COME TO ME WHICH I SUSPECTED; BUT THOU HAST DEALT WITH US ACCORDING TO THY GREAT CHESED.
17
Thou art to be praised, BECAUSE THOU HAST HAD MERCY OF TWO THAT WERE THE ONLY BEGOTTEN CHILDREN OF THEIR FATHERS. Grant them mercy, O Yahuah, and finish their life in health with joy and chesed."
18
THEN RA'U'EL BADE HIS SERVANTS TO FILL THE GRAVE.
19
And he kept the wedding feast fourteen yamim.
20
For before the yamim of the marriage were finished, Ra'u'el had said unto him by an oath, that he should not depart till the fourteen yamim of the marriage were expired;
21
and then he should take THE HALF OF HIS GOODS, and go in safety to his father; and should have the rest when "I and my wife be dead."
Chapter 9
1
Then Toviyah the son called Rapha'el, and said unto him,
2
"Brother Azaryah, take with thee a servant and two camels, and go to Rages of Madai to Gavael, and bring me the money, AND BRING HIM TO THE WEDDING.
3
For Ra'u'el hath sworn that I shall not depart.
4
BUT MY FATHER COUNTETH THE YAMIM; AND IF I TARRY LONG, HE WILL BE VERY SORRY."
5
So Rapha'el went out, and lodged with Gavael, and gave him the handwriting; who brought forth bags which were sealed up, and gave them to him.
6
And early in the morning they went forth both together, and came to the wedding. AND TOVIYAH BLESSED HIS WIFE.
Chapter 10
1
Now Toviyah his father COUNTED EVERY YOM; and when the yamim of the journey were expired, and they came not,
2
then Toviyah said, "Are they detained? Or is Gavael dead, and there is no man to give him the money?"
3
Therefore he was very sorry.
4
Then his wife said unto him, "MY SON IS DEAD, SEEING HE STAYETH LONG." And she began to wail him, and said,
5
"NOW I CARE FOR NOTHING, MY SON, SINCE I HAVE LET THEE GO — THE LIGHT OF MINE EYES."
6
To whom Toviyah said, "Hold thy peace, take no care; FOR HE IS SAFE."
7
BUT SHE SAID, "HOLD THY PEACE, AND DECEIVE ME NOT; MY SON IS DEAD." And SHE WENT OUT EVERY YOM INTO THE WAY WHICH THEY WENT, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and CEASED NOT WHOLE LEILOT TO BEWAIL HER SON TOVIYAH — until the fourteen yamim of the wedding were expired, which Ra'u'el had sworn that he should spend there. Then Toviyah the son said to Ra'u'el, "LET ME GO; FOR MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER LOOK NO MORE TO SEE ME."
8
But his father-in-law said unto him, "Tarry with me, and I will send to thy father, and they shall declare unto him how things go with thee."
9
BUT TOVIYAH SAID, "NO; BUT LET ME GO TO MY FATHER."
10
Then Ra'u'el arose, and gave him Sarah his wife, AND HALF HIS GOODS, servants, and cattle, and money;
11
and he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, "THE ELOHIM OF SHAMAYIM GIVE YOU A PROSPEROUS JOURNEY, MY CHILDREN."
12
And he said to his daughter, "HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER-IN-LAW, WHICH ARE NOW THY PARENTS, THAT I MAY HEAR GOOD REPORT OF THEE." And he kissed her. Ednah also said to Toviyah, "YAHUAH OF SHAMAYIM RESTORE THEE, MY DEAR BROTHER; and grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sarah before I die, that I may rejoice before Yahuah. BEHOLD, I COMMIT MY DAUGHTER UNTO THEE OF SPECIAL TRUST; WHEREFORE DO NOT ENTREAT HER EVIL."
Chapter 11
1
After these things Toviyah the son went his way, PRAISING ELOHIM THAT HE HAD GIVEN HIM A PROSPEROUS JOURNEY; and blessed Ra'u'el and Ednah his wife; and went on his way till they drew near unto Ninveh.
2
Then Rapha'el said to Toviyah, "Thou knowest, brother, how thou didst leave thy father.
3
LET US HASTE BEFORE THY WIFE, AND PREPARE THE HOUSE.
4
AND TAKE IN THINE HAND THE GALL OF THE FISH." So they went their way; AND THE DOG WENT AFTER THEM.
5
NOW CHANNAH SAT LOOKING ABOUT TOWARD THE WAY FOR HER SON.
6
And when she espied him coming, she said to his father, "BEHOLD, THY SON COMETH — AND THE MAN THAT WENT WITH HIM."
7
Then said Rapha'el, "I KNOW, TOVIYAH, THAT THY FATHER WILL OPEN HIS EYES.
8
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."
9
Then Channah 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.
10
Toviyah also went forth toward the door, AND STUMBLED. But his son ran unto him,
11
and took hold of his father; and he struck of the gall on his father's eyes, saying, "BE OF GOOD HOPE, MY FATHER."
12
And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them;
13
AND THE WHITENESS PILLED AWAY FROM THE CORNERS OF HIS EYES. AND WHEN HE SAW HIS SON, HE FELL UPON HIS NECK.
14
And he wept, and said: "BLESSED ART THOU, O ELOHIM; AND BLESSED IS THY NAME FOR EVER; AND BLESSED ARE ALL THINE HOLY MAL'ACHIM.
15
FOR THOU HAST SCOURGED, AND HAST TAKEN PITY ON ME. FOR, BEHOLD, I SEE MY SON TOVIYAH." And his son went in rejoicing, and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Madai.
16
Then Toviyah went out to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Ninveh, REJOICING AND PRAISING ELOHIM. And they which saw him go marvelled, BECAUSE HE HAD RECEIVED HIS SIGHT.
17
But Toviyah the son gave thanks before them, because Elohim had mercy on him. And when he came near to Sarah his daughter-in-law, he blessed her, saying, "THOU ART WELCOME, DAUGHTER. ELOHIM 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 NINVEH.
18
And Achikar, and Nasbas his brother's son, came.
19
And Toviyah's wedding was kept SHEVA YAMIM with great joy.
Chapter 12
1
Then Toviyah called his son, and said unto him, "My son, see that the man have his wages, which went with thee; AND THOU MUST GIVE HIM MORE."
2
And Toviyah the son said unto him, "O father, IT IS NO HARM TO ME TO GIVE HIM HALF OF THOSE THINGS WHICH I HAVE BROUGHT.
3
For he hath brought me again to thee in safety, and made whole my wife, and brought me the money, AND LIKEWISE HEALED THEE."
4
Then the old man said, "IT IS DUE UNTO HIM."
5
So he called the mal'ach, and he said unto him, "Take half of all that ye have brought, and go away in safety."
6
Then he took them both apart, and said unto them: "BLESS ELOHIM, PRAISE HIM, AND MAGNIFY HIM, AND PRAISE HIM FOR THE THINGS WHICH HE HATH DONE UNTO YOU IN THE SIGHT OF ALL THAT LIVE. It is good to praise Elohim, and exalt His Name, and honourably to shew forth the works of Elohim; therefore BE NOT SLACK TO PRAISE HIM.
7
IT IS GOOD TO KEEP CLOSE THE SECRET OF A KING; BUT IT IS HONOURABLE TO REVEAL THE WORKS OF ELOHIM. DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD, AND NO EVIL SHALL TOUCH YOU.
8
PRAYER IS GOOD WITH FASTING, AND TZEDAKAH, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. A LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BETTER THAN MUCH WITH UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. IT IS BETTER TO GIVE TZEDAKAH THAN TO LAY UP GOLD.
9
FOR TZEDAKAH DOTH DELIVER FROM DEATH, AND SHALL PURGE AWAY ALL CHET. THOSE THAT EXERCISE TZEDAKAH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE FILLED WITH LIFE.
10
BUT THEY THAT SIN ARE ENEMIES TO THEIR OWN LIFE.
11
SURELY I WILL KEEP CLOSE NOTHING FROM YOU. For I said, it was good to keep close the secret of a king; but that it was honourable to reveal the works of Elohim.
12
NOW THEREFORE, WHEN THOU DIDST PRAY — AND SARAH THY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW — I DID BRING THE REMEMBRANCE OF YOUR PRAYERS BEFORE THE HOLY ONE. AND WHEN THOU DIDST BURY THE DEAD, I WAS WITH THEE LIKEWISE.
13
AND WHEN THOU DIDST NOT DELAY TO RISE UP, AND LEAVE THY DINNER TO GO AND COVER THE DEAD — THY GOOD DEED WAS NOT HID FROM ME; BUT I WAS WITH THEE.
14
AND NOW ELOHIM HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THEE, AND SARAH THY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.
15
I AM RAPHA'EL, ONE OF THE SHEVA HOLY MAL'ACHIM, WHICH PRESENT THE PRAYERS OF THE KEDOSHIM, AND WHICH GO IN AND OUT BEFORE THE KAVOD OF THE HOLY ONE."
16
THEN THEY WERE BOTH TROUBLED, AND FELL UPON THEIR FACES; FOR THEY FEARED.
17
But he said unto them, "FEAR NOT; FOR IT SHALL GO WELL WITH YOU. PRAISE ELOHIM THEREFORE.
18
FOR NOT OF ANY FAVOUR OF MINE, BUT BY THE WILL OF OUR ELOHIM I CAME. WHEREFORE PRAISE HIM FOR EVER.
19
ALL THESE YAMIM I DID APPEAR UNTO YOU; BUT I DID NEITHER EAT NOR DRINK, BUT YOU DID SEE A VISION.
20
NOW THEREFORE GIVE ELOHIM THANKS; FOR I GO UP TO HIM THAT SENT ME. BUT WRITE ALL THINGS WHICH ARE DONE IN A BOOK."
21
AND WHEN THEY ROSE, THEY SAW HIM NO MORE.
22
Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of Elohim, and how THE MAL'ACH OF YAHUAH HAD APPEARED UNTO THEM.
Chapter 13
1
Then Toviyah WROTE A PRAYER OF REJOICING, and said: "BLESSED BE ELOHIM THAT LIVETH FOR EVER, AND BLESSED BE HIS MALCHUT (מַלְכוּת, kingdom).
2
FOR HE DOTH SCOURGE, AND HATH MERCY; HE LEADETH DOWN TO SHE'OL, AND BRINGETH UP AGAIN; NEITHER IS THERE ANY THAT CAN AVOID HIS HAND.
3
CONFESS HIM BEFORE THE GOYIM, YE CHILDREN OF YISRA'EL — FOR HE HATH SCATTERED US AMONG THEM.
4
THERE DECLARE HIS GREATNESS, AND EXTOL HIM BEFORE ALL THE LIVING; for He is our Adon, and He is the Elohim our Father for ever.
5
AND HE WILL SCOURGE US FOR OUR INIQUITIES, AND WILL HAVE MERCY AGAIN, AND WILL GATHER US OUT OF ALL NATIONS, AMONG WHOM HE HATH SCATTERED US.
6
IF YOU TURN TO HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, AND WITH YOUR WHOLE MIND, AND DEAL UPRIGHTLY BEFORE HIM, THEN WILL HE TURN UNTO YOU, AND WILL NOT HIDE HIS FACE FROM YOU. Therefore see what He will do with you, and confess Him with your whole mouth, and praise Yahuah of might, and extol the everlasting King. IN THE LAND OF MY CAPTIVITY DO I PRAISE HIM, and declare His might and majesty to a sinful nation. O YE SINNERS, TURN, AND DO JUSTICE BEFORE HIM. WHO CAN TELL IF HE WILL ACCEPT YOU, AND HAVE MERCY ON YOU?
7
I will extol my Elohim, and my nefesh shall praise the King of Shamayim, and shall rejoice in His greatness.
8
Let all men speak, and let all praise Him for His righteousness.
9
O YERUSHALAYIM, THE HOLY CITY — He will scourge thee for thy children's works, AND WILL HAVE MERCY AGAIN ON THE SONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
10
Give praise to Yahuah, for He is good; and praise the everlasting King, THAT HIS MISHKAN MAY BE BUILDED IN THEE AGAIN WITH JOY; and let Him make joyful there in thee those that are captives, and love in thee for ever those that are miserable.
11
MANY NATIONS SHALL COME FROM FAR TO THE NAME OF YAHUAH ELOHIM, WITH GIFTS IN THEIR HANDS — EVEN GIFTS TO THE KING OF SHAMAYIM. ALL GENERATIONS SHALL PRAISE THEE WITH GREAT JOY.
12
Cursed are all they which hate thee, AND BLESSED SHALL ALL BE WHICH LOVE THEE FOR EVER.
13
Rejoice and be glad for the children of the just; FOR THEY SHALL BE GATHERED TOGETHER, AND SHALL BLESS YAHUAH OF THE JUST.
14
O BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH LOVE THEE, FOR THEY SHALL REJOICE IN THY SHALOM. BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH HAVE BEEN SORROWFUL FOR ALL THY SCOURGES; FOR THEY SHALL REJOICE FOR THEE, WHEN THEY HAVE SEEN ALL THY KAVOD, AND SHALL BE GLAD FOR EVER.
15
LET MY NEFESH BLESS ELOHIM THE GREAT KING.
16
FOR YERUSHALAYIM SHALL BE BUILT UP WITH SAPPHIRES, AND EMERALDS, AND PRECIOUS STONE; THY WALLS AND TOWERS AND BATTLEMENTS WITH PURE GOLD.
17
AND THE STREETS OF YERUSHALAYIM SHALL BE PAVED WITH BERYL, AND CARBUNCLE, AND STONES OF OPHIR.
18
AND ALL HER STREETS SHALL SAY, 'HALLELUYAH!' AND THEY SHALL PRAISE HIM, SAYING, 'BLESSED BE ELOHIM, WHICH HATH EXTOLLED IT FOR EVER.'
Chapter 14
1
So Toviyah made an end of praising Elohim.
2
And he was eight and fifty shanim old when he lost his sight, WHICH WAS RESTORED TO HIM AFTER EIGHT SHANIM. And he gave tzedakah, AND HE INCREASED IN THE FEAR OF YAHUAH ELOHIM, AND PRAISED HIM.
3
And when he was very aged, he called his son, and the sons of his son, and said to him: "MY SON, TAKE THY CHILDREN; FOR, BEHOLD, I AM AGED, AND AM READY TO DEPART OUT OF THIS LIFE.
4
GO INTO MADAI, MY SON; FOR I SURELY BELIEVE THOSE THINGS WHICH YONAH THE NAVI SPAKE OF NINVEH — THAT IT SHALL BE OVERTHROWN; and that for a time shalom shall rather be in Madai; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land. AND YERUSHALAYIM SHALL BE DESOLATE, AND THE HOUSE OF ELOHIM IN IT SHALL BE BURNED, AND SHALL BE DESOLATE FOR A TIME.
5
AND THAT AGAIN ELOHIM WILL HAVE MERCY ON THEM, AND BRING THEM AGAIN INTO THE LAND, WHERE THEY SHALL BUILD A HEICHAL — BUT NOT LIKE TO THE FIRST — UNTIL THE TIME OF THAT AGE BE FULFILLED. And afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity, AND BUILD UP YERUSHALAYIM GLORIOUSLY; AND THE HOUSE OF ELOHIM SHALL BE BUILT IN IT FOR EVER WITH A GLORIOUS BUILDING, AS THE NEVI'IM HAVE SPOKEN THEREOF.
6
AND ALL NATIONS SHALL TURN, AND FEAR YAHUAH ELOHIM TRULY, AND SHALL BURY THEIR IDOLS.
7
SO SHALL ALL NATIONS PRAISE YAHUAH, AND HIS AM SHALL CONFESS ELOHIM, AND YAHUAH SHALL EXALT HIS AM. AND ALL THOSE WHICH LOVE YAHUAH ELOHIM IN EMET AND JUSTICE SHALL REJOICE, SHEWING CHESED TO OUR BRETHREN.
8
And now, my son, DEPART OUT OF NINVEH; because that those things which the navi Yonah spake SHALL SURELY COME TO PASS.
9
BUT KEEP THOU THE TORAH AND THE MITZVOT, AND SHEW THYSELF MERCIFUL AND JUST, THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH THEE.
10
And bury me decently, and thy mother with me; BUT TARRY NO LONGER AT NINVEH. Remember, my son, HOW HAMAN HANDLED ACHIKAR THAT BROUGHT HIM UP — how out of light he brought him into darkness, and how he rewarded him again. YET ACHIKAR WAS SAVED, BUT THE OTHER HAD HIS REWARD; FOR HE WENT DOWN INTO DARKNESS. MENASHEH GAVE TZEDAKAH, AND ESCAPED THE SNARES OF DEATH WHICH THEY HAD SET FOR HIM; BUT HAMAN FELL INTO THE SNARE, AND PERISHED.
11
WHEREFORE NOW, MY SON, CONSIDER WHAT TZEDAKAH DOETH, AND HOW RIGHTEOUSNESS DOTH DELIVER." When he had said these things, HE GAVE UP THE RUACH IN THE BED, being an hundred and eight and fifty shanim old; AND HE BURIED HIM HONOURABLY.
12
And when Channah his mother was dead, HE BURIED HER WITH HIS FATHER. But Toviyah the son departed with his wife and children to Ecbatana, to Ra'u'el his father-in-law;
13
where he became old with honour. AND HE BURIED HIS FATHER- AND MOTHER-IN-LAW HONOURABLY; and he inherited their substance, and his father Toviyah's.
14
AND HE DIED AT ECBATANA IN MADAI, being an hundred and seven and twenty shanim old.
15
BUT BEFORE HE DIED HE HEARD OF THE DESTRUCTION OF NINVEH, which was taken by Nevuchadnetzar and Achashverosh; AND BEFORE HIS DEATH HE REJOICED OVER NINVEH.