Tobit

On that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media,

and he said to himself, "I have wished for death; therefore should I not call for my son Tobias so that I may transfer the money to him before I die?"

And when he had called him, he said, "My son, when I am dead, bury me; and do not despise your mother, but honor her all the days of your life, and do that which is pleasing to her, and do not grieve her.

Remember, my son, that she has faced many dangers for you, while you were in her womb. And when she is dead, bury her by me in the same grave.

My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all your days, and do not desire to sin or to transgress his commandments. Do uprightly all your life long, and do not walk in the ways of unrighteousness.

For if you deal truly, you will have success in your works. And do all charitable deeds.

Give alms from your possessions. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you.

As your possessions suffice, give alms from them according to what you have.

If you have little, do not be afraid to give alms according to that little;

for you lay up for yourself a good treasure for the day of necessity.

Because alms delivers from all sin and from death, and will not allow the soul to go into darkness.

Alms is a great gift in the presence of the most High for all who give it.

My son, keep yourself from all whoredom, and let a wife be given to you from the seed of your fathers. Do not take a foreign wife, who is not from your father's tribe; for we are the sons of the prophets. Remember, my son, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers from the beginning, who took wives from among their brethren and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.

Now therefore, my son, love your brethren, and do not disdain in your heart your brethren, the sons and daughters of your people, so as not to take a wife from among them; for pride leads to destruction and much turmoil, and lasciviousness leads to loss and great want, because lasciviousness is the mother of famine.

Do not keep the wages of any man who works for you all night until morning, but pay him immediately. If you serve God, you will be rewarded. Take heed to yourself, my son, in all your works, and be discreet in all your behavior.

And what you hate, do not do to anyone. Do not drink wine to drunkenness, and do not let drunkenness go with you in your journey.

Give your bread to the hungry, and your garments to those who are naked. Give alms of all your surplus, and let not your eye begrudge your almsgiving.

Pour out your bread and your wine on the burial of the just, but do not give any to sinners.

Ask counsel always from a wise man.

Bless God at all times, and ask of him that your ways may be made straight, and that all your plans may prosper. For no nation has good counsel, but the Lord himself gives all good things. He, if he will, humbles whom he pleases; therefore, my son, remember my commandments, and do not let them be blotted out of your mind.

Now, my son, I will show you that I committed ten talents of silver to Gabael the son of Gabrias, at Rages of Media.

And do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have much wealth, if you fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight."