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Ask a QuestionThe king's secretaries were summoned at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and an edict was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, and also to the Jews in their script and their language.
So Raphael was sent to heal both of them: Tobit, by removing the white films from his eyes, so that he might see God's light with his eyes; and Sarah, daughter of Raguel, by giving her in marriage to Tobias son of Tobit, and by setting her free from the wicked demon Asmodeus. For Tobias was entitled to have her before all others who had desired to marry her. At the same time that Tobit returned from the courtyard into his house, Sarah daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.
ECCLESIASTICUS, OR THE WISDOM OF JESUS SON OF SIRACH The Prologue Many great teachings have been given to us through the Law and the Prophets and the others that followed them, and for these we should praise Israel for instruction and wisdom. Now, those who read the scriptures must not only themselves understand them, but must also as lovers of learning be able through the spoken and written word to help the outsiders. So my grandfather Jesus, who had devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the other books of our ancestors, and had acquired considerable proficiency in them, was himself also led to write something pertaining to instruction and wisdom, so that by becoming familiar also with his book those who love learning might make even greater progress in living according to the law. You are invited therefore to read it with goodwill and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite our diligent labor in translating, we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. Not only this book, but even the Law itself, the Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little when read in the original. When I came to Egypt in the thirty-eighth year of the reign of Euergetes and stayed for some time, I found opportunity for no little instruction. It seemed highly necessary that I should myself devote some diligence and labor to the translation of this book. During that time I have applied my skill day and night to complete and publish the book for those living abroad who wished to gain learning and are disposed to live according to the law. All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains forever.
Then Tobias went out and called him, and said, "Young man, my father is calling for you." So he went in to him, and Tobit greeted him first. He replied, "Joyous greetings to you!" But Tobit retorted, "What joy is left for me any more? I am a man without eyesight; I cannot see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light. Although still alive, I am among the dead. I hear people but I cannot see them." But the young man said, "Take courage; the time is near for God to heal you; take courage." Then Tobit said to him, "My son Tobias wishes to go to Media. Can you accompany him and guide him? I will pay your wages, brother." He answered, "I can go with him and I know all the roads, for I have often gone to Media and have crossed all its plains, and I am familiar with its mountains and all of its roads."
for you saved me from destruction and rescued me in time of trouble. For this reason I thank you and praise you, and I bless the name of the Lord. Heb adds: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the God of praises, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the guardian of Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who formed all things, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be priests, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the shield of Abraham, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the rock of Isaac, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the mighty one of Jacob, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to him who has chosen Zion, for his steadfast love endures forever; Give thanks to the King of the kings of kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his loyal ones. For the children of Israel, the people close to him. Praise the Lord!
Recompense shall follow, and the reward shall be manifested; righteous deeds shall awake, and unrighteous deeds shall not sleep. NT36 %0 The pit of torment shall appear, and opposite it shall be the place of rest; and the furnace of hell shall be disclosed, and opposite it the paradise of delight. NT37 %0 Then the Most High will say to the nations that have been raised from the dead, "Look now, and understand whom you have denied, whom you have not served, whose commandments you have despised. NT38 %0 Look on this side and on that; here are delight and rest, and there are fire and torments.' Thus he will speak to them on the day of judgment-- NT39 %0 a day that has no sun or moon or stars, NT40 %0 or cloud or thunder or lightning, or wind or water or air, or darkness or evening or morning, NT41 %0 or summer or spring or heat or winter or frost or cold, or hail or rain or dew, NT42 %0 or noon or night, or dawn or shining or brightness or light, but only the splendor of the glory of the Most High, by which all shall see what has been destined. NT43 %0 It will last as though for a week of years. NT44 %0 This is my judgment and its prescribed order; and to you alone I have shown these things." 45 I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now: Blessed are those who are alive and keep your commandments! NT46 %0 But what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there that has not sinned, or who is there among mortals that has not transgressed your covenant? NT47 %0 And now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many. NT48 %0 For an evil heart has grown up in us, which has alienated us from God, and has brought us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life--and that not merely for a few but for almost all who have been created." 49 He answered me and said, "Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct you, and will admonish you once more. NT50 %0 For this reason the Most High has made not one world but two. NT51 %0 Inasmuch as you have said that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound, hear the explanation for this. 52 "If you have just a few precious stones, will you add to them lead and clay?" NT53 %0 I said, "Lord, how could that be?" NT54 %0 And he said to me, "Not only that, but ask the earth and she will tell you; defer to her, and she will declare it to you. NT55 %0 Say to her, "You produce gold and silver and bronze, and also iron and lead and clay; NT56 %0 but silver is more abundant than gold, and bronze than silver, and iron than bronze, and lead than iron, and clay than lead.' NT57 %0 Judge therefore which things are precious and desirable, those that are abundant or those that are rare?" 58 I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what is more rare is more precious." 59 He answered me and said, "Consider within yourself what you have thought, for the person who has what is hard to get rejoices more than the person who has what is plentiful. NT60 %0 So also will be the judgment that I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be saved, because it is they who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them my name has now been honored. NT61 %0 I will not grieve over the great number of those who perish; for it is they who are now like a mist, and are similar to a flame and smoke--they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished." 62 I replied and said, "O earth, what have you brought forth, if the mind is made out of the dust like the other created things? NT63 %0 For it would have been better if the dust itself had not been born, so that the mind might not have been made from it. NT64 %0 But now the mind grows with us, and therefore we are tormented, because we perish and we know it. NT65 %0 Let the human race lament, but let the wild animals of the field be glad; let all who have been born lament, but let the cattle and the flocks rejoice. NT66 %0 It is much better with them than with us; for they do not look for a judgment, and they do not know of any torment or salvation promised to them after death. NT67 %0 What does it profit us that we shall be preserved alive but cruelly tormented? NT68 %0 For all who have been born are entangled in iniquities, and are full of sins and burdened with transgressions. NT69 %0 And if after death we were not to come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us." 70 He answered me and said, "When the Most High made the world and Adam and all who have come from him, he first prepared the judgment and the things that pertain to the judgment. NT71 %0 But now, understand from your own words--for you have said that the mind grows with us. NT72%0 For this reason, therefore, those who live on earth shall be tormented, because though they had understanding, they committed iniquity; and though they received the commandments, they did not keep them; and though they obtained the law, they dealt unfaithfully with what they received. NT73 %0 What, then, will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times? NT74 %0 How long the Most High has been patient with those who inhabit the world!--and not for their sake, but because of the times that he has foreordained." 75 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, show this also to your servant: whether after death, as soon as everyone of us yields up the soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when you will renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?" 76 He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not include yourself with those who have shown scorn, or number yourself among those who are tormented. NT77 %0 For you have a treasure of works stored up with the Most High, but it will not be shown to you until the last times. NT78 %0 Now concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone out from the Most High that a person shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. NT79 %0 If it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, who have despised his law and hated those who fear God-- NT80 %0 such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, always grieving and sad, in seven ways. NT81 %0 The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. NT82 %0 The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance so that they may live. NT83 %0 The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. NT84 %0 The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. NT85 %0 The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. NT86 %0 The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will cross over into torments. NT87 %0 The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High in whose presence they sinned while they were alive, and in whose presence they are to be judged in the last times. 88 "Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. NT89 %0 During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour so that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. NT90 %0 Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: NT91 %0 First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. NT92 %0 The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought that was formed with them, so that it might not lead them astray from life into death. NT93 %0 The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander and the punishment that awaits them. NT94 %0 The third order, they see the witness that he who formed them bears concerning them, that throughout their life they kept the law with which they were entrusted. NT95 %0 The fourth order, they understand the rest that they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory waiting for them in the last days. NT96 %0 The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty that they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. NT97 %0 The sixth order, when it is shown them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. NT98 %0 The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they press forward to see the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. NT99 %0 This is the order of the souls of the righteous, as henceforth is announced; and the previously mentioned are the ways of torment that those who would not give heed shall suffer hereafter." 100 Then I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you have described to me?" 101 He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that during these seven days they may see the things of which you have been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations." 102 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, show further to me, your servant, whether on the day of judgment the righteous will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the Most High for them-- NT103 %0 fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers for brothers, relatives for their kindred, or friends for those who are most dear." 104 He answered me and said, "Since you have found favor in my sight, I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his place, NT105 %0 so no one shall ever pray for another on that day, neither shall anyone lay a burden on another; for then all shall bear their own righteousness and unrighteousness."
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. HH97 Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long. HH98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. HH99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation. HH100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. HH101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. HH102 I do not turn away from your ordinances, for you have taught me. HH103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! HH104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. HH105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. HH106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances. HH107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word. HH108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances. HH109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. HH110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. HH111 Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. HH112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. HH113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. HH114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. HH115 Go away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. HH116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope. HH117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually. HH118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes; for their cunning is in vain. HH119 All the wicked of the earth you count as dross; therefore I love your decrees. HH120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. HH121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. HH122 Guarantee your servant's well-being; do not let the godless oppress me. HH123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. HH124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. HH125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your decrees. HH126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. HH127 Truly I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold. HH128 Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts; I hate every false way. HH129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. HH130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. HH131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments. HH132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. HH133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me. HH134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts. HH135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. HH136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept. HH137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right. HH138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness. HH139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words. HH140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. HH141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. HH142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. HH143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. HH144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. HH145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. I will keep your statutes. HH146 I cry to you; save me, that I may observe your decrees. HH147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words. HH148 My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. HH149 In your steadfast love hear my voice; O Lord, in your justice preserve my life. HH150 Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near; they are far from your law. HH151 Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. HH152 Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever. HH153 Look on my misery and rescue me, for I do not forget your law. HH154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise. HH155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. HH156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your justice. HH157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from your decrees. HH158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. HH159 Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love. HH160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. HH161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. HH162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. HH163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. HH164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances. HH165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. HH166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I fulfill your commandments. HH167 My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly. HH168 I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you. HH169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. HH170 Let my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. HH171 My lips will pour forth praise, because you teach me your statutes. HH172 My tongue will sing of your promise, for all your commandments are right. HH173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. HH174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. HH175 Let me live that I may praise you, and let your ordinances help me. HH176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.