Tobias giveth his son godly admonitions – Book of Tobias, chapter 4

Tobias thinking he shall die, giveth his son godly admonitions: and telleth him of money he had lent to a friend.

[1] Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son, [2] And said to him: Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. [3] When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life: [4] For thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb. [5] And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her by me.

[6] And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God. [7] Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee. [8] According to thy ability be merciful. [9] If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have a little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little. [10] For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity.

[11] For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness. [12] Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it. [13] Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime. [14] Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning. [15] If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.

[16] See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another. [17] Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked. [18] Lay out thy bread, and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked. [19] Seek counsel always of a wise man. [20] Bless God at all times: and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.

[21] I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus, in Rages a city of the Medes, and I have a note of his hand with me: [22] Now therefore inquire how thou mayst go to him, and receive of him the foresaid sum of money, and restore to him the note of his hand. [23] Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.

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