Chapter 1

1Tobias of the tribe and city of Nephtali, (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Naasson, beyond the way that leadeth to the west, having on the right hand the city of Sephet,)

2When he was made captive in the days of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth,

3But every day gave all he could get to his brethren his fellow captives, that were of his kindred.

4And when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet did he no childish thing in his work.

5Moreover when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam king of Israel had made, he alone fled the company of all,

6And went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes,

7So that in the third year he gave all his tithes to the proselytes, and strangers.

8These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.

9But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name,

10And from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.

11And when by the captivity he with his wife and his son and all his tribe was come to the city of Ninive,

12(When all ate of the meats of the Gentiles) he kept his soul and never was defiled with their meats.

13And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favour in the sight of Salmanasar the king.

14And he gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind.

15He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.

16And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king:

17And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.

18But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel:

19Tobias daily went among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods:

20He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.

21And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies.

22But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance.

23But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.

24But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons.

25And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.