Tobit's Instructions Before the Journey

1 In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had left in trust with Gabael in Rages of Media, 2 and he said in his heart, Behold, I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobias and show him concerning this money before I die? 3 And he called Tobias his son and he came to him and he said to him, Bury me well, and honour your mother; and do not forsake her all the days of her life, and do that which is pleasing before her, and do not grieve her spirit in any matter.⁠a 4 Remember her, child, that she has experienced many dangers for you in her womb;⁠b and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave. 5 My child, be mindful of the Lord all your days,⁠c and do not let your will be set to sin and to transgress his commandments: do acts of righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of unrighteousness.⁠d 6 For if you do the truth, success shall be in your works, and so it shall be to all that do righteousness.⁠e 7 Give alms of your substance: do not turn away your face from any poor man, and the face of God shall not be turned away from you, 8 As your substance is, give alms of it according to your abundance:⁠f if you have much, according to the abundance of it, give alms; if you have little bestow it, and do not be afraid to give alms according to that little:⁠g 9 for you lay up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity:⁠h 10 because alms delivers from death, and does not allow one to come into darkness.⁠i 11 Alms is a good offering in the sight of the Most High for all that give it. 12 Beware, my child, of all whoredom, and take first a wife of the seed of your fathers, do not take a strange wife, which is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the sons of the prophets. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, our fathers of old time, remember, my child, that they all took wives of their kinsmen, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land. 13 And now, my child, love your kindred, and do not scorn in your heart your kindred and the sons and the daughters of your people so as not to take one of them; for in scornfulness is destruction and much trouble, and in idleness is decay and great want, for idleness is the mother of famine. 14 Do not let the wages of any man, which shall work for you, stay with you, but render it to him out of hand: and if you serve God, recompense shall be made to you. Take heed to yourself, my child, in all your works, and be discreet in all your behaviour.⁠j 15 And what you yourself hate, do to no man.⁠k Do not drink wine to drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness go with you on your way.⁠l 16 Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your garments to them that are naked: of all your abundance give alms; and do not let your eye be grudging when you give alms. 17 Pour out your bread and your wine on the tomb of the just,⁠m and do not give to sinners.⁠n 18 Ask counsel of every man that is wise, and do not despise any counsel that is profitable.⁠o 19 And bless the Lord your God at all times, and ask of him that your ways may be made straight, and that all your paths and counsels may prosper: for every nation has not good counsel; but the Lord will give to them all good things; and whom he will the Lord humbles to the nethermost Hades. And now, child, remember these commandments, and do not let them be blotted out of your heart.⁠p 20 And now, child, I show you that I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael the brother of Gabri at Rages of Media. 21 And do not fear, my child, because we have become poor: you have much wealth, if you fear God and avoid every kind of sin and do the things which are good in the sight of the Lord your God.