Book of Tobit
Chapter 1
1. This book tells the story of Tobit son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Aduel son of Gabael son of Raphael son of Raguel of the descendants of Asiel of the tribe of Naphtali, 2. who in the days of King Shalmaneser of the Assyrians was taken into captivity from Thisbe, which is to the south of Kedesh Naphtali in Upper Galilee, above Asher toward the west, and north of Phogor.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses to 2)
Oh God my Father each day of my life as in the case of Tobit, a chapter is written, thus forming an entire book covering the date of my conception to the date of my death. In Your eyes oh God my Father no detail is left out. You know the entire story from beginning to the end. I accept all as being according to Your Will Amen.
3. I Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life. I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my people who had gone with me to exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians. 4. When I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of my ancestor Naphtali deserted the house of David and Jerusalem. This city had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes of Israel should offer sacrifice and where the temple, the dwelling of God, had been consecrated and established for all generations forever.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God, my Father I am not the good person that Tobit was, however throughout my life I have always tried to be of help to others in many ways. As You know well enough I have experienced a close call in almost being physically abused by a priest who had his home in Malta and who even had a church where people attended mass at his home This priest promised to ordain me a priest and send me to study in Rome if I let him have his way with me. I pray for this priest who is now dead and for all priests so that they consider if their place is still in the Roman Catholic Church and if they are physically and Spiritually or psychologically able to carry out such a ministry. Amen
5. All my kindred and our ancestral house of Naphtali sacrificed to the calf that King Jeroboam of Israel had erected in Dan and on all the mountains of Galilee. 6. But I alone went often to Jerusalem for the festivals as it is prescribed for all Israel by an everlasting decree.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 5 to 6)
Oh God my Father, will there be faith left in this world at the time of Your second coming? At an early stage, of life on earth, there have already been cases of offering sacrifices to pagan gods. During our times we sacrifice to the gods of commodities, luxury and money and even fashion or all that has to do with the body that gives it central stage over the domain of the soul! However, in order to look on to the bright side of life, there are still those who although hassled by the trials of life, and undergoing testing according to Your will still proclaim to be Catholics and Christians Amen.
In order to have an idea of the total of Catholics in the world today I invite you yo click on the following link:-
Number of Catholics in the World
Statistics from the Vatican
7. I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar; likewise the tenth of the grain, wine olive oil, pomegranates, figs and the rest of the fruits to the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem. Also for six years I would save up a second tenth in money and go and distribute it in Jerusalem. 8. A third tenth I would give to the orphans and widows and to the converts who had attached themselves to Israel. I would bring it and give it to them in the third year, and we would eat it according to the ordinance decreed concerning it in the law of Moses and according to the instructions of Deborah, the mother of my father Tobiel, for my father had died and left me an orphan. 9. When I became a man I married a woman, a member of our own family, and by her I became the father of a son whom I named Tobias.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 7 to 9)
Oh God, how nice it is to base a family on solid Christian values. Tobit was given many good examples by his family such as being generous in his giving charity to others including the 'Church' of his time according to the laws that You had given them. The example became so engraved in his heart and soul that he kept this practice alive throughout his life. Oh, how I wish oh God that my family was that generous and that we would all be freed from the avaricious greed of human nature and be ready to donate freely to others Amen.
10. After I was carried away captive to Assyria and came as a captive to Nineveh, everyone of my kindred and my people ate the food of the Gentiles, 11. but I kept myself from eating the food of the Gentiles.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God, my Father when we are put to the test we show our true colours, our values, beliefs and most of all our faith. I pray oh God my Father that we pass the test when You decide to pass us through such delicate moments Amen.
12. Because I was mindful of God with all my heart, 13. the Most High gave me favor and good standing with Shalmaneser, and I used to buy everything he needed. 14. Until his death I used to go into Media, and buy for him there. While in the country of Media I left bags of silver worth ten talents in trust with Gabael, , the brother of Gabri. 15. But when Shalmaneser died, and Sennacherib reigned in his place, the highways inti Media became unsafe and I could no longer go there.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 12 to 15)
Oh God my Father when we place our trust in You, we see miracles take place. Even though the situation may be dull and desolate, You still provide us with the necessary support according to our needs. Amen.
16. In the days of Shalmaneser I performed many acts of charity to my kindred those of my tribe. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father even at the risk of his life Tobit did not stop with his works of charity towards those of his family. Even though we face the risk of being ridiculed or physically harmed we are to remain firm in our faith and values. Tobit remained firm and committed in his love and respect, for human dignity so much that he used to bury those whom he found dead and not leave them to deteriorate in dishonour as if they had been slaughtered animals. Amen
17. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. 18. I also buried any whom King Sennacherib put to death when he came fleeing from Judea in those days of judgment that the king of heaven executed upon him because of his blasphemies. For in his anger he put to death many Israelites; but I would secretly remove the bodies and bury them. So when Sennacherib looked for them he could not find them.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 17 to 18)
Oh, how nice it is to be of service for others even if this means putting one's life at risk for the benefit of others. Tobit oh God my Father is a mirror of You who gave out Your life for our redemption, without considering the pain of the consequences of our sins that You experienced during the harsh passion for our sake Amen.
19. Then one of the Ninevites went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. But when I realized that the king knew about me and that I was being searched for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. 20. Then all my property was confiscated; nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury except my wife Anna and my son Tobias.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God my Father even though our actions may be good as in the case of Tobit, the forces of evil will stop at nothing to bring our good acts to an end. I pray oh God that You protect me from such forces so that I will continue to share these posts to those who are willing to pray on Your 'Good News' that is found in the Bible and benefit from all that You wish to pass on to us. Amen.
21. But not forty days passed before two of Sennacherib's sons killed him and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and his son Esar-haddon reigned after him. He appointed Ahikar, the son of my brother Hanael over all the accounts of his kingdom, and he had authority over the entire administration. 22. Ahikar interceded for me, and I returned to Nineveh. Now Ahikar was chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet, and in charge of the administration of the accounts under King Sennacherib of Assyria; so Esar-haddon reappointed him. He was my nephew and so a close relative.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God my Father when You take control of a situation in order to ensure our well-being everything is possible. You work in ways that we cannot see or imagine, but in the background and even in the foreground of our lives You are always at work, like a script in a computer programme or blog that stimulates the programme to launch at the user's request. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for working wonders and miracles in our lives Amen.
Oh God my Father I would like to end the first chapter of the book of Tobit with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father I pray that we have compassion and mercy for each other, especially towards those whose situation in life is already in a critical position. I thank You from my heart for always being active in our lives, even though many times we do not realise that You are working on our behalf as in the case of Tobit myself and many others Amen.
3. I Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life. I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my people who had gone with me to exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians. 4. When I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of my ancestor Naphtali deserted the house of David and Jerusalem. This city had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes of Israel should offer sacrifice and where the temple, the dwelling of God, had been consecrated and established for all generations forever.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God, my Father I am not the good person that Tobit was, however throughout my life I have always tried to be of help to others in many ways. As You know well enough I have experienced a close call in almost being physically abused by a priest who had his home in Malta and who even had a church where people attended mass at his home This priest promised to ordain me a priest and send me to study in Rome if I let him have his way with me. I pray for this priest who is now dead and for all priests so that they consider if their place is still in the Roman Catholic Church and if they are physically and Spiritually or psychologically able to carry out such a ministry. Amen
5. All my kindred and our ancestral house of Naphtali sacrificed to the calf that King Jeroboam of Israel had erected in Dan and on all the mountains of Galilee. 6. But I alone went often to Jerusalem for the festivals as it is prescribed for all Israel by an everlasting decree.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 5 to 6)
Oh God my Father, will there be faith left in this world at the time of Your second coming? At an early stage, of life on earth, there have already been cases of offering sacrifices to pagan gods. During our times we sacrifice to the gods of commodities, luxury and money and even fashion or all that has to do with the body that gives it central stage over the domain of the soul! However, in order to look on to the bright side of life, there are still those who although hassled by the trials of life, and undergoing testing according to Your will still proclaim to be Catholics and Christians Amen.
In order to have an idea of the total of Catholics in the world today I invite you yo click on the following link:-
Number of Catholics in the World
Statistics from the Vatican
7. I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar; likewise the tenth of the grain, wine olive oil, pomegranates, figs and the rest of the fruits to the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem. Also for six years I would save up a second tenth in money and go and distribute it in Jerusalem. 8. A third tenth I would give to the orphans and widows and to the converts who had attached themselves to Israel. I would bring it and give it to them in the third year, and we would eat it according to the ordinance decreed concerning it in the law of Moses and according to the instructions of Deborah, the mother of my father Tobiel, for my father had died and left me an orphan. 9. When I became a man I married a woman, a member of our own family, and by her I became the father of a son whom I named Tobias.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 7 to 9)
Oh God, how nice it is to base a family on solid Christian values. Tobit was given many good examples by his family such as being generous in his giving charity to others including the 'Church' of his time according to the laws that You had given them. The example became so engraved in his heart and soul that he kept this practice alive throughout his life. Oh, how I wish oh God that my family was that generous and that we would all be freed from the avaricious greed of human nature and be ready to donate freely to others Amen.
10. After I was carried away captive to Assyria and came as a captive to Nineveh, everyone of my kindred and my people ate the food of the Gentiles, 11. but I kept myself from eating the food of the Gentiles.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11)
Oh God, my Father when we are put to the test we show our true colours, our values, beliefs and most of all our faith. I pray oh God my Father that we pass the test when You decide to pass us through such delicate moments Amen.
12. Because I was mindful of God with all my heart, 13. the Most High gave me favor and good standing with Shalmaneser, and I used to buy everything he needed. 14. Until his death I used to go into Media, and buy for him there. While in the country of Media I left bags of silver worth ten talents in trust with Gabael, , the brother of Gabri. 15. But when Shalmaneser died, and Sennacherib reigned in his place, the highways inti Media became unsafe and I could no longer go there.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 12 to 15)
Oh God my Father when we place our trust in You, we see miracles take place. Even though the situation may be dull and desolate, You still provide us with the necessary support according to our needs. Amen.
16. In the days of Shalmaneser I performed many acts of charity to my kindred those of my tribe. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verse 16)
Oh God my Father even at the risk of his life Tobit did not stop with his works of charity towards those of his family. Even though we face the risk of being ridiculed or physically harmed we are to remain firm in our faith and values. Tobit remained firm and committed in his love and respect, for human dignity so much that he used to bury those whom he found dead and not leave them to deteriorate in dishonour as if they had been slaughtered animals. Amen
17. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. 18. I also buried any whom King Sennacherib put to death when he came fleeing from Judea in those days of judgment that the king of heaven executed upon him because of his blasphemies. For in his anger he put to death many Israelites; but I would secretly remove the bodies and bury them. So when Sennacherib looked for them he could not find them.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 17 to 18)
Oh, how nice it is to be of service for others even if this means putting one's life at risk for the benefit of others. Tobit oh God my Father is a mirror of You who gave out Your life for our redemption, without considering the pain of the consequences of our sins that You experienced during the harsh passion for our sake Amen.
19. Then one of the Ninevites went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. But when I realized that the king knew about me and that I was being searched for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. 20. Then all my property was confiscated; nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury except my wife Anna and my son Tobias.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 19 to 20)
Oh God my Father even though our actions may be good as in the case of Tobit, the forces of evil will stop at nothing to bring our good acts to an end. I pray oh God that You protect me from such forces so that I will continue to share these posts to those who are willing to pray on Your 'Good News' that is found in the Bible and benefit from all that You wish to pass on to us. Amen.
21. But not forty days passed before two of Sennacherib's sons killed him and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and his son Esar-haddon reigned after him. He appointed Ahikar, the son of my brother Hanael over all the accounts of his kingdom, and he had authority over the entire administration. 22. Ahikar interceded for me, and I returned to Nineveh. Now Ahikar was chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet, and in charge of the administration of the accounts under King Sennacherib of Assyria; so Esar-haddon reappointed him. He was my nephew and so a close relative.
(Book of Tobit Chapter 1 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God my Father when You take control of a situation in order to ensure our well-being everything is possible. You work in ways that we cannot see or imagine, but in the background and even in the foreground of our lives You are always at work, like a script in a computer programme or blog that stimulates the programme to launch at the user's request. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for working wonders and miracles in our lives Amen.
Oh God my Father I would like to end the first chapter of the book of Tobit with the following prayer:-
Oh God my Father I pray that we have compassion and mercy for each other, especially towards those whose situation in life is already in a critical position. I thank You from my heart for always being active in our lives, even though many times we do not realise that You are working on our behalf as in the case of Tobit myself and many others Amen.
Thank You Jesus Amen forever and ever!
