Tobit's Thanksgiving to God

1Then Tobit13.1 Gk he said:

‘Blessed be God who lives for ever,

because his kingdom13.1 Other ancient authorities read for ever, and his kingdom lasts throughout all ages.

2For he afflicts, and he shows mercy;

he leads down to Hades in the lowest regions of the earth,

and he brings up from the great abyss,13.2 Gk from destruction

and there is nothing that can escape his hand.

3Acknowledge him before the nations, O children of Israel;

for he has scattered you among them.

4He has shown you his greatness even there.

Exalt him in the presence of every living being,

because he is our Lord and he is our God;

he is our Father and he is God for ever.

5He will afflict13.5 Other ancient authorities read He afflicted you for your iniquities,

but he will again show mercy on all of you.

He will gather you from all the nations

among whom you have been scattered.

6If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul,

to do what is true before him,

then he will turn to you

and will no longer hide his face from you.

So now see what he has done for you;

acknowledge him at the top of your voice.

Bless the Lord of righteousness,

and exalt the King of the ages.13.6 The lacuna in codex Sinaiticus, verses 6b to 10a, is filled in from other ancient authorities

In the land of my exile I acknowledge him,

and show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners:

“Turn back, you sinners, and do what is right before him;

perhaps he may look with favour upon you and show you mercy.”

7As for me, I exalt my God,

and my soul rejoices in the King of heaven.

8Let all people speak of his majesty,

and acknowledge him in Jerusalem.

9O Jerusalem, the holy city,

he afflicted13.9 Other ancient authorities read will afflict you for the deeds of your hands,13.9 Other ancient authorities read your children

but will again have mercy on the children of the righteous.

10Acknowledge the Lord, for he is good,13.10 Other ancient authorities read Lord worthily

and bless the King of the ages,

so that his tent13.10 Or tabernacle may be rebuilt in you in joy.

May he cheer all those within you who are captives,

and love all those within you who are distressed,

to all generations for ever.

11A bright light will shine to all the ends of the earth;

many nations will come to you from far away,

the inhabitants of the remotest parts of the earth to your holy name,

bearing gifts in their hands for the King of heaven.

Generation after generation will give joyful praise in you;

the name of the chosen city will endure for ever.

12Cursed are all who speak a harsh word against you;

cursed are all who conquer you

and pull down your walls,

all who overthrow your towers

and set your homes on fire.

But blessed for ever will be all who revere you.13.12 Other ancient authorities read who build you up

13Go, then, and rejoice over the children of the righteous,

for they will be gathered together

and will praise the Lord of the ages.

14Happy are those who love you,

and happy are those who rejoice in your prosperity.

Happy also are all people who grieve with you

because of your afflictions;

for they will rejoice with you

and witness all your glory for ever.

15My soul blesses13.15 Or O my soul, bless the Lord, the great King!

16For Jerusalem will be built13.16 Other ancient authorities add for a city as his house for all ages.

How happy I will be if a remnant of my descendants should survive

to see your glory and acknowledge the King of heaven.

The gates of Jerusalem will be built with sapphire and emerald,

and all your walls with precious stones.

The towers of Jerusalem will be built with gold,

and their battlements with pure gold.

The streets of Jerusalem will be paved

with ruby and with stones of Ophir.

17The gates of Jerusalem will sing hymns of joy,

and all her houses will cry, “Hallelujah!

Blessed be the God of Israel!”

and the blessed will bless the holy name for ever and ever.’