Tobit 1:15–22

15 And when Shalmaneser was dead and Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead, the roads of Media were unsafe, and I could no more go into Media. 16 In the days of Shalmaneser I did many almsdeeds to my brethren who were of my kindred: 17 I used to give my bread to the hungry, and garments to the naked: (17)and if I saw any of my nation dead, and cast forth behind the wall of Nineveh, I buried him. 18 And whomsoever Sennacherib slew, when he had come fleeing from Judaea in the days of the judgement which the King of heaven wrought upon him for the blasphemies wherewith he had blasphemed, I buried. For in his wrath he slew many of the children of Israel, and I stole away their bodies and buried them. And Sennacherib sought them and found them not. 19 And a certain one of those of Nineveh went and informed the king concerning me, that it was I who buried them, and that I was hid. And when I perceived that the king knew concerning me and that I was sought for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. 20 And all that I possessed was seized, and there was nothing left unto me which was not taken to the royal treasury save my wife Anna and my son Tobias. 21 And there passed not forty days before two of his sons slew him. And they fled into the mountains of Ararat, and Esarhaddon his son reigned after him. And he appointed over all the accounts of his kingdom Aḥiḳar, my brother Anael’s son, and he had authority over all his affairs. 22 Then Aḥiḳar made request for me, and I came down to Nineveh. For Ahikar was chief cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts in the days of Sennacherib king of Assyria, and Esarhaddon appointed him a second time. And he was my brother’s son and of my kindred.

2. THE STARTING-POINT OF THE PRESENT STORY, 2:1–14.