BOOK OF TOBIT . The Strangest Story Removed From The Bible

During the reign of King Enmerkar of Assyria, I, Tobit, was taken captive from my hometown of Thisbe in Galilee and brought to Nineveh. All my life, I have endeavored to walk in the paths of truth and righteousness, showing kindness and providing assistance to my fellow Israelites who were carried away into captivity alongside me. Even from the days of my youth, while I still resided in the land of Israel, I remained steadfast and faithful to the worship of the Lord in Jerusalem. However, the majority of my tribe, the people of Naphtali, turned their backs on the temple of God and began offering sacrifices to idols, most notably to the golden calf of Baal.

In contrast, I alone continued to travel to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts, faithfully bringing my first fruits, tithes, and offerings as the law commanded. I dedicated the first tenth of my harvest to the priests, the descendants of Aaron. I set aside another tenth to be spent in Jerusalem, and a third tenth I distributed to those in need. When I reached adulthood, I married Anna, a woman of my own tribe, and together we were blessed with a son named Tobias. Later, when we were forcibly carried away into exile in Nineveh, many of my fellow Israelites began consuming the food of the Gentiles and abandoning the law, but I refused to follow their lead. I kept God in my heart with every breath and strictly observed His commandments. Because of this, the Lord granted me favor in the eyes of King Enmerkar, who entrusted me with the responsibility of purchasing supplies for his royal court.

During one of my official journeys to the land of Media, I deposited ten talents of silver with Gabael, a kinsman of ours who resided in the city of Rages. When King Enmerkar died, his son Sennacherib took the throne. His reign brought about great turbulence and suffering, and I was no longer able to safely travel to Media. Even in these dangerous times, I remained committed to giving alms to my people, feeding the hungry, and clothing the poor. If I encountered one of my people who had died and remained unburied, I would take it upon myself to bury them. Even when Sennacherib ordered the executions of many Israelites who had fled from Judah, I continued to bury their bodies in secret, fully aware that I was risking my own life to do so. Eventually, an informant from Nineveh reported my actions to the king. When I learned that Sennacherib was seeking to kill me, I was forced to flee and hide. All of my possessions were confiscated, and I was left with nothing save for my wife, Anna, and my son, Tobias.

About fifty-five days later, two of Sennacherib’s sons murdered him and escaped to the mountains of Ararat. His son, Esarhaddon, ascended the throne in his place. My nephew Achiacharus, who served as the new king’s cupbearer and steward, spoke on my behalf, and through his intercession, I was able to return safely to Nineveh. Achiacharus was a man of high rank and great influence before the king, and through his assistance, I found mercy once again. After my safe return, my wife Anna and my son Tobias were with me during the feast of Pentecost, the holy festival of seven weeks. We prepared a fine meal to celebrate the occasion. As I sat down to eat, I observed the abundance of food on our table and said to Tobias, “Go and search for someone from among our people who is poor and remains faithful to the Lord. Bring him here to share this meal with us.”

Tobias went out but quickly returned, exclaiming, “Father, one of our people has been murdered, and his body is lying in the marketplace.” I had not even taken a single bite of my food before I rose from the table. I went out, lifted the man’s body, and carried it to a secure room until sunset. When the sun had descended, I washed myself and ate my meal with a heavy heart, recalling the words of the prophet Amos: “Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your joy into lamentation.” I wept as I ate, and when night fell, I went out again and buried the dead man. My neighbors mocked me, saying, “This man never learns. He barely escaped being killed for burying the dead before, and yet here he is doing it again.” That night, after the burial, I returned home and slept by the courtyard wall because I was considered ritually unclean from touching the dead. I did not cover my face, and I was unaware that sparrows had nested in the wall above me. While I slept, their droppings fell into my eyes, and soon my eyes became clouded with a white film, leaving me blind. I sought help from several physicians, but none could restore my sight. During that period, my nephew Achiacharus cared for me until I eventually traveled to Elymais.

Meanwhile, my wife Anna worked diligently to provide for us. She performed various crafts and sent her finished work to her employers. They always paid her fairly, but one day they included a young goat as an additional gift. When she brought it home, the goat began to bleat, and I asked her, “Where did this goat come from? Surely it is not stolen. Return it to its owners, for it is not right to consume what is taken unlawfully.” Anna protested, insisting it was a gift provided in addition to her wages, but I did not believe her and insisted that she return it. Ashamed and frustrated, I angered her, and she replied, “Where are all your acts of charity now? Where are your good deeds? Everyone can see what has become of you.”

Overcome with deep grief, I began to weep and pray, saying, “Oh Lord, You are righteous, and all Your works are filled with mercy and truth. You judge rightly and justly forever. Remember me, Lord, and look upon me with compassion. Do not punish me for my sins or the sins of my fathers, for we have all disobeyed Your commandments. Because of our disobedience, You have delivered us into captivity and made us a reproach and a byword among the nations where we are scattered. Your judgments are true and just, for we have not walked in Your ways. But now, oh Lord, deal with me as You see fit. Take my life and let me return to the dust, for it is better for me to die than to live. I have heard many insults, and my heart is filled with sorrow. Deliver me, Lord, from this distress, and do not turn Your face away from me.”

That very same day, far away in the city of Ecbatana in Media, a young woman named Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was also weeping in her distress. Her father’s servants had mocked her, saying cruel things because she had been married seven times, and each of her husbands had died before the marriage was ever consummated. The evil spirit, Asmodeus, had killed them one by one. The maids said to her, “Do you not see that you have strangled your husbands? You have had seven already, yet none of them lived to bear your name. Why do you strike us? Go and die as they did, so that we may never see a child or descendant from you.” Hearing these words, Sarah was deeply wounded and contemplated taking her own life. However, she reasoned with herself, “I am my father’s only child. If I do this, I will bring great sorrow to him and disgrace upon our family name.”

Instead of yielding to despair, she turned toward the window, lifted her face to heaven, and prayed, “Blessed are You, oh Lord, my God. May Your holy and glorious name be praised forever, and may all Your works glorify You. Now, Lord, I lift my eyes to You. Take my life so that I may no longer hear these cruel reproaches. You know, Lord, that I have remained pure. I have not dishonored my name nor my father’s. I have no husband left, no brother, and no near relative. I am my father’s only heir, and all seven of my husbands are gone. Why should I live? Yet, if it is not Your will that I should die, please have mercy on me and deliver me from this shame.”

At that very hour, the prayers of Tobit in Nineveh and Sarah in Ecbatana rose together before the presence of the great God in heaven. The Lord sent His angel, Raphael, to heal them both: to remove the whiteness from Tobit’s eyes and restore his sight, and to deliver Sarah from the evil spirit, Asmodeus, preparing her to become the wife of Tobias, the son of Tobit, as was rightfully intended.

On that same day, I, Tobit, remembered the money I had entrusted long ago to Gabael in the city of Rages in Media. I thought to myself, “I have been praying for death. Before I depart, I must inform my son Tobias about that money so he may claim it when I am gone.” I called my son to me and said, “My son, when I die, ensure that I am buried properly, and do not neglect your mother. Honor her all the days of your life. Do what pleases her and never cause her grief. Remember the dangers she endured for you when you were still in her womb. When she passes, bury her beside me in the same grave. Always remember the Lord your God all the days of your life. Do not be led into sin or turn aside from His commandments. Live your life in truth and righteousness. If you do what is right, your ways will prosper, and God will bless all who live justly. Be generous in giving alms from what you possess. Never turn your face away from the poor, and God will never turn His face away from you. If you have plenty, give according to your abundance. If you have little, still give what you can. Every act of charity is stored up as a treasure for you in the day of need. Almsgiving delivers from death and keeps a person from walking in darkness. Charity is a precious gift in the sight of the Most High.”

I continued, “My son, stay away from all immorality. When you choose a wife, marry one from our own people, someone from your father’s tribe. Do not take a foreign wife who does not share our faith. We are the children of the prophets—Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They all married from their own kindred and were blessed in their children. Their descendants inherited the land because of their faithfulness. Love your brethren, my son. Never look down on your own people. Pride leads only to destruction and trouble, while immoral living brings poverty and shame, for impurity is the mother of hunger. Do not delay paying the wages of any worker; pay him immediately. If you serve God faithfully, He will reward you in return. Be careful in everything you do, and be wise in your words and actions. Do not do to anyone what you would hate done to you. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness be part of your life. Give your bread to the hungry and your clothes to those who are naked. Be generous according to your ability and do not give grudgingly. Share your food at the burial of the righteous, but do not give to those who live wickedly. Seek advice from the wise, and do not ignore good counsel when it is offered. Bless the Lord your God always, and ask Him to guide your steps and make all your paths prosper. Not every nation possesses wisdom or counsel, but the Lord Himself gives all good things and humbles whom He wills. So, my son, remember all my commandments and never let them fade from your heart.”

“Now, concerning the money, I left ten talents of silver with Gabael, the son of Gabrias, in the city of Rages in Media. When the time comes, you must go and retrieve it. And do not be afraid, my son, that we have become poor. True riches are found in fearing God, turning away from sin, and doing what pleases Him.” Then Tobias answered his father, saying, “Father, I will do everything you have commanded me, but how can I collect the money from Gabael in Media? I do not know him personally.” I gave Tobias the written record of the loan and said, “Find a trustworthy man who can accompany you on the journey. I will pay him for his help. Go now and bring back the money while I am still alive.”

So, Tobias went out to find someone to travel with him. As he searched, he met Raphael, though he did not know that Raphael was an angel of God. Tobias asked him, “Do you know the way to the city of Rages in Media? Can you travel there with me?” The angel replied, “I can go with you. I know the road well, for I have often stayed with our relative, Gabael.” Tobias said, “Wait here while I go tell my father.” Raphael answered, “Go quickly and do not delay.” Tobias returned home and said to me, “Father, I found someone who can go with me.” I said, “Call him, so that I may meet him and learn what family he comes from and whether he is a trustworthy man to travel with you.” When Raphael entered, I greeted him warmly, saying, “Welcome, brother. Tell me, what tribe and family do you belong to?” The angel replied, “Do you seek a tribe or a hired companion for your son’s journey?” I said, “I only wish to know your name and kindred, brother.” Then the angel said, “I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, one of your kinsmen.” I smiled and said, “You are welcome, brother. Do not be offended that I asked about your lineage. I know your family well—Ananias and Jonathan, sons of that great Samaias. We went together to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and offer the first fruits and tithes. They remained faithful and did not follow the errors of our tribe. Truly, you come from an honorable line.”

Then I asked, “Tell me, what wages shall I give you? A drachma a day, along with all your needs, as I would give my own son. And when you return safely, I will add a bonus.” Raphael agreed, and we were both pleased with the arrangement. Then I said to Tobias, “Prepare yourself for the journey, and may God grant you success.” When all was ready, I blessed my son and said, “Go with this man, and may the Lord in heaven prosper your way. May His holy angel keep you company.” So, Tobias departed with Raphael, and his faithful dog went with them. But Anna, Tobias’s mother, began to weep bitterly. She said to me, “Why have you sent our only son away? He is the staff of our hands and the one who cares for us and helps us in our old age. Do not chase after money when we have our child’s love. What the Lord has already given us is enough.” I comforted her, saying, “Do not worry. He will return to us safely, and you will see him again. A good angel will go with him, and God will make his journey successful.” Hearing this, Anna ceased weeping, though her heart remained heavy with longing.

As Tobias and his companion continued their journey, they reached the river Tigris one evening and stopped there to rest. Tobias went out to the river to wash himself, but suddenly a large fish leapt out of the water and tried to attack him. The angel said, “Catch the fish.” So, Tobias grabbed hold of it and pulled it onto the riverbank. Then the angel told him, “Open the fish and keep its heart, liver, and gall safely stored.” Tobias did as the angel commanded. They roasted part of the fish for their meal, ate, and continued their journey until they drew near to the city of Ecbatana. As they walked, Tobias asked, “Brother Azarias, what use are the heart, liver, and gall of the fish?” The angel replied, “The heart and liver can be burned to drive away any evil spirit or demon that troubles a person. The smoke from them will cause the spirit to flee and never return. As for the gall, it can be used to heal blindness when it is applied to the eyes.”

When they approached the city of Rages, the angel said, “Tonight we will stay with Raguel, who is your relative. He has one daughter named Sarah. I will speak with him so that she may be given to you as your wife, for by law she belongs to you since you are her nearest kinsman.” He continued, “Sarah is both wise and beautiful. I will speak with her father about your marriage, and when we return from Rages, you shall wed her. According to the law of Moses, Raguel cannot give her to anyone else, for the right of inheritance belongs to you.” But Tobias grew fearful and said, “Brother Azarias, I have heard that this woman has already been married to seven men, and each one died on their wedding night before they could be with her. I am my father’s only son, and I fear that if I marry her, I will die, too. I could not bear to cause my father and mother such sorrow. They would die of grief, for they have no other son to bury them.”

The angel replied gently, “Do you not remember the command your father gave you to marry a woman from your own kindred? Do not be afraid, Tobias. Sarah is meant to be your wife. The evil spirit will not harm you. This very night she will be given to you in marriage. When you enter the bridal chamber, take the ashes of incense and place on them part of the fish’s heart and liver and make a smoke with them. When the evil spirit smells it, he will flee and never return again. After that, rise up with your wife and pray to God together. Ask the Lord, who is merciful, to protect and bless you. Do not be afraid, for Sarah has been appointed to you from the beginning, and you will be her protector. She will go with you, and I believe you will have children together.” When Tobias heard these words, peace filled his heart. He began to love Sarah deeply, and his spirit was closely bound to hers, though he had not yet met her.

When Tobias and the angel arrived at Ecbatana, they came to the house of Raguel. Sarah came out to greet them, and after exchanging kind words, she welcomed them inside. Raguel looked closely at Tobias and said to his wife, Edna, “How much this young man resembles my cousin Tobit.” He then asked the travelers, “Where are you from, my brothers?” They replied, “We are from the tribe of Naphtali who were taken captive to Nineveh.” At this, Raguel asked eagerly, “Do you know Tobit, our kinsman?” They answered, “Yes, we know him well.” Tobias then said, “He is my father.” Hearing this, Raguel jumped up in joy, embraced Tobias, and kissed him with tears in his eyes. “You are the son of a good and righteous man,” he said. But when he heard that Tobit had gone blind, he was greatly saddened, and he, too, began to weep. Edna, his wife, and Sarah, his daughter, also wept with him. Afterward, they welcomed Tobias and Raphael warmly, preparing a feast for them. Raguel had a ram from the flock slaughtered, and a fine meal was set before them.

As they sat to eat, Tobias whispered to Raphael, “Brother Azarias, now is the time to speak about the matter you mentioned on the way.” So, Raphael told Raguel of Tobias’s desire to marry Sarah. Raguel smiled kindly and said, “Eat and drink, my son, and be happy. You are indeed the one who is meant to marry my daughter, but I must tell you the truth. She has been given to seven men, and each one died on the night he went to her. Even so, let us rejoice for now.” But Tobias answered firmly, “I will not eat or drink until we make an agreement before the Lord.” Then Raguel said, “You are right, my son. Take her now as your wife, and may the merciful God bless you both and give you success in all things.” He then called his daughter Sarah, took her by the hand, and placed her in Tobias’s care. He blessed them both and called for his wife, Edna. Together, they wrote and sealed a marriage contract, confirming the union. After this, the wedding feast began.

Later that evening, Raguel told his wife to prepare a room for their daughter and take her there. Edna did as he asked, leading Sarah to her chamber. She wept as she went. But her mother comforted her, wiped away her tears, and said gently, “Be of good courage, my daughter. May the Lord of heaven and earth give you joy in place of your sorrow.” After the wedding feast, Tobias was brought to Sarah’s room. As he entered, he remembered the angel Raphael’s instructions. He took the ashes of the incense and placed them on the heart and liver of the fish, then made smoke with them. When the evil spirit smelled the smoke, it fled to the farthest regions of Egypt. There, the angel Raphael pursued and bound it so it could harm no one again. Once the danger was gone, Tobias and Sarah were alone together. Tobias rose from the bed and said, “Sister, get up. Let us pray to God together, asking Him to have mercy on us.” Then Tobias prayed, saying, “Blessed are You, oh God of our fathers, and blessed is Your holy and glorious name forever. Let heaven and all Your creation bless You. You made Adam and gave him Eve as a helper and companion, and from them the whole human race was born. You said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone; let us make a partner like himself.’ And now, Lord, I take this, my sister, not out of lust, but in truth and righteousness. Grant that we may live together all our days in peace and grow old in Your mercy.” When he had finished, Sarah said, “Amen.” That night, they slept in peace.

Meanwhile, Raguel, fearing that Tobias might have died as the others had, arose in the night and began to dig a grave in secret. He said to his wife, “I am afraid he is dead, too.” But when morning came, Raguel sent a maid to check. “Go and see whether he is alive,” he said, “so that if he is dead, we may bury him quietly.” The maid entered the room and found them both asleep in peace. She ran back joyfully and said, “He is alive. Both of them are well.” Then Raguel and Edna blessed God, saying, “Oh Lord, You are worthy of all praise, and Your holy name is to be blessed forever. You have filled us with joy and shown great mercy to us. What we feared has not happened, but You have had compassion on these two, the only children of their fathers. Lord, bless them and grant them health and happiness all their days.” Raguel then told his servants to fill in the grave he had dug. Afterward, they celebrated the wedding feast for fourteen days.

Raguel had Tobias swear an oath that he would not leave until the full two weeks were completed. At the end of that time, Raguel said to him, “Take half of all that I possess now and return safely to your father. When my wife and I have passed on, the rest will also belong to you.” Then Tobias called for the angel Raphael, whom he still knew as Azarias, and said, “Brother Azarias, please take one of the servants and two camels and travel to Rages in Media to visit Gabael. Bring back the money my father left with him and invite him to come to the wedding. For Raguel has sworn that I must stay here the full fourteen days, but my father is counting the days and will be anxious if I stay too long.” So, Raphael went to Rages, staying with Gabael. He gave Gabael the written record of the deposit, and Gabael brought out the sealed bags containing the silver and handed them to him. The next morning, Raphael and Gabael set out together for Ecbatana to attend the wedding. When they arrived, Tobias joyfully greeted Gabael and blessed his new wife, Sarah.

Back in Nineveh, I counted every day that passed. When the time for the journey should have been completed and my son had still not returned, I began to worry deeply. “Why are they delayed?” I said. “Has something happened to them? Is Gabael dead, and there is no one to give them the money?” My heart grew heavy with sorrow. Then Anna, my wife, said, “My son is dead. It has been too long. He is gone, and I will never see him again.” She began to weep bitterly, crying out, “What is left for me now? My son, the light of my eyes, is gone.” But I said to her, “Be still, my wife. Do not worry. Our son is safe.” She replied, “Do not deceive me. My son is dead.” And every day, she would go out to the road where Tobias had departed, watching and waiting for him to return. She refused to eat during the day and spent the nights weeping for her son until the fourteen days of the wedding feast in Ecbatana had passed.

At the end of the feast, Tobias said to Raguel, “Please let me return home now, for my father and mother are waiting and worrying for me.” Raguel answered, “Stay a little longer. I will send messengers to your father to tell him that all is well.” But Tobias said, “No, please let me go now to my parents.” Then Raguel agreed. He arose and gave Tobias his wife, Sarah, along with half of his possessions, servants, livestock, and money. He blessed them both and said, “May the God of heaven grant you a safe and prosperous journey, my children.” Raguel then turned to Sarah and said, “My daughter, honor your father and mother-in-law now, for they are your parents. Bring joy to them.” And he kissed her in farewell. Edna also blessed them, saying to Tobias, “The Lord of heaven guide you safely home, and may I live to see children born to my daughter Sarah. I entrust her to you with all my heart. Treat her kindly and never cause her sorrow.” Then, with many blessings, they sent the young couple on their way.

Tobias began his journey home, giving thanks to God for a safe and prosperous trip. He also blessed Raguel and Edna, who had shown him great kindness. Together with his wife, Sarah, and the angel Raphael, he traveled until they came near to Nineveh. Then Raphael said, “Brother Tobias, you remember how you left your father behind? Let us go ahead of your wife and prepare the house before she arrives. Take the gall of the fish in your hand.” So, they went on quickly with the faithful dog following close behind. Meanwhile, Anna sat outside watching the road, waiting for her son. When she saw Tobias and the man walking beside him, she ran to tell me, “Behold,” she cried, “your son is coming, and the man who went with him.” Then Raphael said to Tobias, “I know that your father will soon have his sight restored. Anoint his eyes with the gall from the fish. When it causes them to sting, he will rub them, and the whiteness will peel away, and he will see again.”

Anna ran out to meet her son, threw her arms around him, and cried with joy. “Now that I have seen you again, my son, I could die in peace.” And both of them wept for joy. I came out of the house, but stumbled in my blindness. Tobias quickly ran to me, took hold of me, and anointed my eyes with the fish’s gall, saying, “Take courage, father.” When my eyes began to burn, I rubbed them, and suddenly the white film peeled away from the corners of my eyes. I looked up, and for the first time in years, I saw my son. Overcome with emotion, I embraced him and wept, saying, “Blessed are You, oh God. You disciplined me, but You also showed me mercy, for now I see my son again.”

Tobias then told me all the wonderful things that had happened to him in Media, how God had blessed him and delivered him from danger. I, filled with joy, went out to the city gate to greet my daughter-in-law, Sarah. I praised God before all the people, and they were amazed to see that my sight had been restored. When Sarah approached, I blessed her, saying, “Welcome, my daughter. Blessed be God who has brought you safely to us. Blessed be your father and your mother who raised you.” And all our relatives in Nineveh rejoiced with us. Their kinsmen, Achiacharus and Nadab, came to join in the celebration, and the wedding feast of Tobias and Sarah was observed for seven days with great joy and thanksgiving.

Then I called my son Tobias and said, “My son, make sure to give the man who traveled with you his wages and give him more than what is due. He has done much for us.” Tobias replied, “Father, I would gladly give him half of everything I brought back. He has led me home safely, healed my wife, brought me the money, and restored your sight.” I agreed, saying, “It is right to do so.” So, they called the angel and told him, “Take half of all that we have brought and go in peace.” But Raphael took them aside and said, “First, bless God. Praise Him and tell of His greatness before all the people. It is good to praise God and make His works known. Do not grow weary of giving Him glory, for His deeds are wonderful. It is good to keep a king’s secret, but it is even better to declare the works of God openly. Do what is right, and no harm will come to you. Prayer is good when joined with fasting, charity, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with evil. It is better to give alms than to store up gold, for charity delivers from death and cleanses away sin. Those who give generously and live righteously will have life, but those who sin bring harm upon themselves. Now I will tell you the truth without hiding anything. When you and Sarah prayed, I carried your prayers before the Holy One. When you buried the dead, I was with you. When you left your meal to care for the dead, your good deeds were not hidden from me; I was there beside you. And now, God has sent me to heal you and Sarah, your daughter-in-law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who stand in the presence of the Most High and present the prayers of the saints before His glory.”

When I and Tobias heard this, we were overcome with fear and fell on our faces in awe. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. Peace be with you. Give thanks to God, for it was not by my own power that I came to you but by His will. Praise Him forever. All the time I was with you, I appeared to eat and drink, but what you saw was only a vision. Now, give thanks to God and write down all that has happened so His goodness may be remembered.” When he had finished speaking, Raphael was taken up from them, and they saw him no more. Then I and Tobias knelt down and praised God with joy, declaring His great and mighty works and telling all how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.

Then I wrote a prayer of praise and rejoicing, saying, “Blessed be God who lives forever, and blessed be His eternal kingdom. He corrects and shows mercy; He brings down to the grave and raises up again. No one can escape His hand. Give thanks to Him, you children of Israel, before all the nations, for He has scattered us among them. There, among the Gentiles, proclaim His greatness and lift up His holy name before all who live. For He is our Lord and God forever, the God of our fathers. He disciplines us for our sins, yet He will again have mercy and will gather us from every nation where we have been scattered. If you turn to Him with all your heart and mind and live rightly before Him, He will turn toward you and not hide His face. Consider what He has done for you. Praise Him with all your voice and glorify the everlasting King. Even here in the land of my captivity, I will praise Him. I will proclaim His power and majesty to a sinful nation, urging sinners to turn back and do what is right before Him, for who knows if He will not receive them in mercy? I will bless my God, and my soul will rejoice in the King, for His greatness fills the earth. Let all people speak of Him and praise His righteousness. Oh, Jerusalem, holy city of God, He has punished you for the deeds of your children, but He will again have mercy on the descendants of the righteous. Give praise to the Lord, for He is good, and bless the eternal King, that His holy temple may once more be built within you with joy. May He bring back the captives and fill your city with those who love His name. Many nations shall come from afar, bringing gifts to the King of heaven, and all generations shall praise His holy name with great joy. Cursed are those who hate you, Jerusalem, but blessed forever are those who love you. Rejoice, O children of the righteous, for you will be gathered together once more and will bless the Lord who saves the just. Blessed are all who love you and long for your peace. Those who once mourned for your suffering will rejoice when they see your glory restored. Their hearts will be glad forever. Let my soul bless God, the great King. For Jerusalem shall be rebuilt with walls of sapphires and emeralds, towers and battlements of pure gold. Her streets will shine with precious stones—beryl, carbuncle, and the jewels of Ophir. And all her streets shall echo with praise, crying, ‘Hallelujah! Blessed be God who has exalted His city forever.'”

When I finished my song of praise to God, I lived out my remaining years in peace. I was fifty-eight years old when I lost my sight, which was restored to me eight years later by God’s mercy. From that time onward, I continued to give alms generously, to grow in reverence for the Lord, and to praise Him daily. When I became very old, I called my son Tobias and his grandchildren to me, and gave them this final blessing. I instructed them again to fear God, to walk in His truth, and to remember that His light is the guide for all those who seek Him with a pure heart. I told them of the fragility of life and the eternity of God’s grace. “My children,” I said, “the world will fade, and riches will perish, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Do not be tempted by the fleeting pleasures of the ungodly, for they are like chaff in the wind. Store up your treasures in heaven through acts of love, service, and repentance. Remember the journey of your father and the hand of the angel that guided us. Above all, maintain the unity of our people and never forsake the covenants of our ancestors. Walk uprightly, for the path of the righteous is illuminated by the morning sun, shining brighter and brighter until the day of perfect peace.”

After I had blessed them, I looked upon my family one last time, my heart full of peace and gratitude for the long life the Almighty had granted me. I knew that my departure from this earthly life was drawing near, but I felt no fear. I had witnessed the restoration of my sight, the salvation of my son, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to the faithful. I fell asleep in death at the age of one hundred and twelve, having completed my earthly pilgrimage in the grace of the Lord. My son Tobias, ever faithful to the instructions I had given him, gave me a dignified and honorable burial, as did his descendants after him.

Following my passing, Tobias continued to live in Nineveh for a time, always upholding the law of Moses and maintaining the spirit of hospitality and charity that had defined our house. He grew old in the company of his children and his grandchildren, seeing the prosperity of his household and the continuity of our faith in the land of our exile. The story of our family became a beacon of hope for all the Israelites living in foreign lands, a testament that even in the midst of shadows and suffering, the light of God remains steadfast for those who refuse to abandon His ways.

Tobias eventually moved to Ecbatana, where he lived out his final years with the family of his wife, Sarah. He saw the children of his children and lived to a ripe old age, finally passing away with the satisfaction of knowing that the heritage of faith had been passed down to the next generation. It is said that in the days of his final illness, he gathered his own descendants and reminded them of the story of the fish, the healing, and the angelic messenger, teaching them that God’s intervention often arrives when human hope has been exhausted. He reminded them that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that true success is found not in the accumulation of silver or gold, but in the steadfast observance of His commandments.

Thus, the legacy of our family persisted, serving as a reminder to all generations of the power of prayer, the virtue of burial and compassion, and the profound truth that God is the ever-present guardian of those who walk in righteousness. Even as the years passed and the memory of Nineveh began to fade into the annals of history, the testament of our lives remained a source of comfort and strength for the faithful. The streets of Jerusalem, though distant and at times in ruins, remained the spiritual home of our hearts, and we lived every day with the hope that one day, as I had prophesied, the city would be rebuilt in glory and all the scattered children of the covenant would return to praise the King of heaven.

The account of my life, written by my own hand and preserved by my son, stands as a witness to the fact that God does not abandon His children. Even in the depths of blindness, in the sting of poverty, and in the sorrow of exile, His hand is extended to heal, to provide, and to lead the wanderer back to the path of life. May all who read these words find encouragement in their own times of trouble. May they see that a life given to the service of others, a life kept pure from the defilements of the world, and a life anchored in prayer, is the most precious offering one can make to the Creator. For when the world offers only bitterness and despair, the Lord offers a song of praise, and in the end, it is His joy that shall be our strength forevermore. And so, the story of the house of Tobit continued to echo through the generations, a quiet, enduring whisper of faith, reminding all who would listen that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the same God who watches over the traveler, the mourner, and the seeker of truth, yesterday, today, and forever.