Liber Thobis, 4

1. In illa die rememoratus est Thobi pecuniae, quam com mendaverat Gabael in Rages Mediae.

1. On that day Tobit remembered the money which he had left in trust with Gabael at Rages in Media, and he said to himself;

2. Et dixit in corde suo: “Ecce ego postulavi mortem. Quid non voco Thobiam filium meum et indicabo illi de hac pecunia, quam commendavi, antequam moriar?”.

2. "I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobias so that I may explain to him about the money before I die?"

3. Et vocavit Thobiam filium suum, et venit ad illum; et dixit illi: “Fili, cum mortuus fuero, sepeli me diligenter et honorem habe matri tuae et noli derelinquere illam omnibus diebus vitae suae et fac, quod bonum est in conspectu eius, et noli contristare spiritum eius in ullo.

3. So he called him and said, "My son, when I die, bury me, and do not neglect your mother. Honor her all the days of your life; do what is pleasing to her, and do not grieve her.

4. Memor esto eius, fili, quoniam multa pericula vidit propter te in utero. Cum mortua fuerit, sepeli illam iuxta me in uno sepulcro.

4. Remember, my son, that she faced many dangers for you while you were yet unborn. When she dies bury her beside me in the same grave.

5. Et omnibus diebus tuis, fili, Dominum in mente habe et noli velle peccare et praeterire praecepta illius. Iustitiam fac omnibus diebus vitae tuae et noli ire in vias iniquitatis,

5. "Remember the Lord our God all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing.

6. quoniam, agente te veritatem, prospera erunt itinera in operibus tuis et in omnibus, qui faciunt iustitiam.

6. For if you do what is true, your ways will prosper through your deeds.

7. Ex substantia tua, fili, fac eleemosynam et noli avertere faciem tuam ab ullo paupere, ne a te avertatur facies Dei.

7. Give alms from your possessions to all who live uprightly, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you.

8. Quomodo habueris, fili, secundum multitudinem fac ex ipsis eleemosynam. Si tibi fuerit largior substantia, plus ex illa fac eleemosynam. Si exiguum habueris, secundum exiguum ne timueris facere eleemosynam:

8. If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have.

9. praemium enim bonum reponis tibi in diem necessitatis,

9. So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity.

10. quoniam eleemosyna a morte liberat et non sinit ire in tenebras.

10. For charity delivers from death and keeps you from entering the darkness;

11. Munus enim bonum est eleemosyna omnibus, qui faciunt illam coram Excelso.

11. and for all who practice it charity is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

12. Attende tibi, fili, ab omni fornicatione. Uxorem primum accipe ex semine parentum tuorum et noli sumere uxorem alienam, quae non est ex tribu patris tui, quoniam filii prophetarum sumus: Noe et Abraham et Isaac et Iacob patres nostri a saeculo. Rememorare, fili, quoniam hi omnes acceperunt uxores ex semine patrum suorum et benedicti sunt in filiis suis, et semen illorum possidebit hereditatem terrae.

12. "Beware, my son, of all immorality. First of all take a wife from among the descendants of your fathers and do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father's tribe; for we are the sons of the prophets. Remember, my son, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old, all took wives from among their brethren. They were blessed in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land.

13. Et tu, fili, dilige fratres tuos et noli fastidire in corde tuo a fratribus tuis et a filiis et filiabus populi tui, ut accipias uxorem ex illis, quoniam in fastidio perditio et inconstantia magna est, et in nugacitate diminutio et exiguitas magna est. Nugacitas enim mater est famis.

13. So now, my son, love your brethren, and in your heart do not disdain your brethren and the sons and daughters of your people by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion; and in shiftlessness there is loss and great want, because shiftlessness is the mother of famine.

14. Merces omnis hominis, quicumque penes te operatus fuerit, non maneat penes te, sed redde ei statim, et merces tua non minorabitur; si servieris Deo in veritate, reddetur tibi. Attende tibi, fili, in omnibus operibus tuis et esto sapiens in omnibus sermonibus tuis

14. Do not hold over till the next day the wages of any man who works for you, but pay him at once; and if you serve God you will receive payment. "Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and be disciplined in all your conduct.

15. et, quod oderis, nemini feceris. Noli bibere vinum in ebrietatem, et non comitetur te ebrietas in via tua.

15. And what you hate, do not do to any one. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way.

16. De pane tuo communica esurienti et de vestimentis tuis nudis; ex omnibus, quaecumque tibi abundaverint, fac eleemosynam, et non invideat oculus tuus, cum facis eleemosynam.

16. Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus to charity, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you made it.

17. Frange panem tuum et effunde vinum tuum super sepulcra iustorum et noli dare peccatoribus.

17. Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners.

18. Consilium ab omni sapiente inquire et noli contemnere omne consilium utile.

18. Seek advice from every wise man, and do not despise any useful counsel.

19. Omni tempore benedic Dominum et postula ab illo, ut dirigantur viae tuae, et omnes semitae tuae et consilia bene disponantur, quoniam omnes gentes non habent consilium bonum, sed ipse Dominus dabit ipsis bonum consilium. Quem enim voluerit, allevat et, quem voluerit, Dominus demergit usque ad inferos deorsum. Et nunc, fili, memor esto praeceptorum meorum, et non deleantur de corde tuo.

19. Bless the Lord God on every occasion; ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and according to his will he humbles whomever he wishes. "So, my son, remember my commands, and do not let them be blotted out of your mind.

20. Et nunc, fili, indico tibi commendasse me decem talenta argenti Gabael filio Gabriae in Rages Mediae.

20. And now let me explain to you about the ten talents of silver which I left in trust with Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.

21. Noli vereri, fili, quia pauperem vitam gessimus. Habes multa bona, si timueris Deum et recesseris ab omni peccato et bene egeris in conspectu Domini Dei tui”.

21. Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and refrain from every sin and do what is pleasing in his sight."