I. 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; 2 who in the time of * Enemessar king of the Assyrians awas led captive out of bThisbe, which is at cthe right hand of that city, which is called * properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser. 3 I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the way of truth and justice, and dI did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians. 4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel, being but young, eall 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 ffor all ages. 5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed * unto the gheifer Baal. 6 But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, has it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having ithe firstfruits and jtenths of increase, with kthat which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron. 7 The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of * Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: lanother tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem: 8 and the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father. 9 Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna mof mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias. 10 And when awe were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred ndid eat of the bread of the Gentiles. 11 But I kept * myself from eating; 12 because I remembered God with all my heart. 13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his * purveyor. 14 And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, nnthe brother of Gabrias, at oRages * a city of pMedia, ten talents of silver. 15 Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; * whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into pMedia. 16 And in the time of Enemessar dI gave many alms to my brethren, and qgave my bread to the hungry, 17 qand my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast * about the walls of Nineve, rI buried him. 18 And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and sfled 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. 19 And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. 20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, besides tmy wife Anna and my son Tobias. 21 And there passed not five and fifty days, before utwo of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of uArarath; and * uSarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father’s accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus, my brother Anael’s son. 22 And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Nineve. Now Achiacharus was wcupbearer, and xkeeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and * Sarchedonus appointed him ynext unto him: and he was my zbrother’s son.