TubiYahu (Tobit) — 1
1 The book of the acts of Tubiyahu the son of Tu′bial, son of Anan′ial, son of Ad′ual, son of Gab′aal, of the descendants of As′ial and the tribe of Naph′tali,
2 who in the days of Shalmanasar, king of the Assyrians, was taken into captivity from Thisba, which is to the south of Kadash Naph′tali in Galily above Ashar.
Tubiyahu’s Youth and Virtuous Life
3 I, Tubiyahu, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life, and I performed many acts of charity to my brethren and countrymen who went with me into the land of the Assyrians, to Ninabah.
4 Now when I was in my own country, in the land of Yashar'AL, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of Naph′tali my forefather deserted the house of Yahushalam. This was the place which had been chosen from among all the tribes of Yashar'AL, where all the tribes should sacrifice and where the temple of the dwelling of AL'ALYUN (the Most High) was consecrated and established for all generations for ever.
5 All the tribes that joined in revolting used to sacrifice to the calf Ba′al, and so did the house of Naph′tali my forefather.
6 But I alone went often to Yahushalam for the feasts, as it is ordained for all Yashar'AL by an everlasting decree. Taking the first fruits and the tithes of my produce and the first shearings, I would give these to the Kuhanym, the sons of Aarun, at the altar.
7 Of all my produce I would give a tenth to the sons of Lauy who ministered at Yahushalam; a second tenth I would sell, and I would go and spend the proceeds each year at Yahushalam;
8 the third tenth I would give to those to whom it was my duty, as Daburah my father’s mother had commanded me, for I was left an orphan by my father.
9 When I became a man I married Anna, a member of our family, and by her I became the father of Tubyas.
Taken Captive to Ninabah
10 Now when I was carried away captive to Ninabah, all my brethren and my relatives ate the food of the the other nations;
11 but I kept myself from eating it,
12 because I remembered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH with all my heart.
13 Then AL'ALYUN (The Most High) gave me favor and good appearance in the sight of king Shalmanasar, and I was his buyer of provisions.
14 So I used to go into Madia and I was once at Rages in Madia I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gaba'al, the brother of Gabri′as.
15 But when Shalmanasar died, Sannacharib his son reigned in his place; and under him the highways were unsafe, so that I could no longer go into Madia.
Courage in Burying the Dead
16 In the days of Shalmanasar I performed many acts of charity to my brethren.
17 I would give my bread to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw any one of my people dead and thrown out behind the wall of Ninabah, I would bury them.
18 And if Sennacharib the king put to death any who came fleeing from Yahudah, I buried them secretly. For in his anger he put many to death. When the bodies were sought by the king, they were not found.
19 Then one of the men of Ninabah went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. When I learned that I was being searched for, to be put to death, I left home in fear.
20 Then all my property was confiscated and nothing was left to me except my wife Anna and my son Tubyas.
21 But not fifty days passed before two of Sennacharib’s sons killed him, and they fled to the mountains of Ararat. Then Asarhaddun, his son, reigned in his place; and he appointed Ahikar, the son of my brother Ana'al, over all the accounts of his kingdom and over the entire administration.
22 Ahikar interceded for me, and I returned to Ninabah. Now Ahi′kar was cupbearer, keeper of the signet, and in charge of administration of the accounts, for Asarhaddun had appointed him second to himself, he was my nephew.