TubiYahu (Tobit) — 4

Tubiyahu Gives Instructions to His Son

1 That same day Tubiyahu remembered the money that he had left in trust with Gaba'al at Rages in Madia, 

2 and he said to himself, “Now I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tubiyas and explain to him about the money before I die?” 

3 Then he called his son Tubiyas, and when he came to him he said, “My son, when I die, give me a proper burial. Honor your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life. Do whatever pleases her, and do not grieve her in anything. 

4 Remember her, my son, because she faced many dangers for you while you were in her womb. And when she dies, bury her beside me in the same grave.

5 “My son, Adore 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH all your days, refuse sin and do not transgress 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH's  commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing; 

6 For those who act in accordance with the truth and practices righteousness will prosper in all their activities.

7 Give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH will not be turned away from you. 

8 If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. 

9 So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. 

10 For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness. 

11 Indeed, almsgiving, for all who practice it, is an excellent offering in the presence of AL'ALYUN (the Most High).

12 “Beware, my son, of every kind of fornication. First of all, marry a woman from among the descendants of your ancestors; do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the descendants of the Nabyms. Remember, my son, that Nuah, Abraham, Yachaq, and Ya'aqub, our ancestors of old, all took wives from among their kindred. They were baraked in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land. 

13 So now, my son, love your kindred, and in your heart do not disdain your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion. And in idleness there is loss and dire poverty, because idleness is the mother of famine.

14 “Do not keep over until the next day the wages of those who work for you, but pay them at once. If you serve our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH you will receive payment. Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in all your conduct. 

15 And what you hate, do not do to anyone. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. 

16 Give some of your food to the hungry, and some of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus as alms, and do not let your eye begrudge your giving of alms. 

17 Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. 

18 Seek advice from every wise person and do not despise any useful counsel. 

19 At all times barak 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, and ask  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding, but  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Himself will give them good counsel; and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  humbles whom He will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of your mind. 

Money Left in Trust with Gaba'al 

20 “And now, my son, let me explain to you that I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gaba'al son of Gabrias, at Rages in Madia. 

21 Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and flee from every sin and do what is good in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.”