Liber Thobis, 13

1. Et scripsit orationem Thobi in laetitiam et dixit:

1. Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said: "Blessed is God who lives for ever, and blessed is his kingdom.

2. “Benedictus Deus vivens in aevum, et regnum illius, quia ipse flagellat et miseretur, deducit usque ad inferos deorsum et reducit a perditione maiestate sua, et non est qui effugiat manum eius.

2. For he afflicts, and he shows mercy; he leads down to Hades, and brings up again, and there is no one who can escape his hand.

3. Confitemini illi, filii Israel, coram nationibus, quia ipse dispersit vos in illis

3. Acknowledge him before the nations, O sons of Israel; for he has scattered us among them.

4. et ibi ostendit maiestatem suam. Et exaltate illum coram omni vivente, quoniam Dominus noster, et ipse est pater noster, et ipse est Deus noster in omnia saecula.

4. Make his greatness known there, and exalt him in the presence of all the living; because he is our Lord and God, he is our Father for ever.

5. Flagellabit vos ob iniquitates vestras et omnium miserebitur vestrum et colliget vos ab omnibus nationibus, ubicumque dispersi fueritis.

5. He will afflict us for our iniquities; and again he will show mercy, and will gather us from all the nations among whom you have been scattered.

6. Cum conversi fueritis ad illum in toto corde vestro et in tota anima vestra, ut faciatis coram illo veritatem, tunc revertetur ad vos et non abscondet a vobis faciem suam amplius. Et nunc aspicite, quae fecit vobiscum, et confitemini illi in toto ore vestro. Benedicite Dominum iustitiae et exaltate regem saeculorum. Ego in terra captivitatis meae confiteor illi et ostendo virtutem et maiestatem eius genti peccatorum. Convertimini, peccatores, et facite iustitiam coram illo. Quis scit, si velit vos et faciat vobis misericordiam?

6. If 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 not hide his face from you. But see what he will do with you; give thanks to him with your full voice. Praise the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of the ages. I give him thanks in the land of my captivity, and I show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners. Turn back, you sinners, and do right before him; who knows if he will accept you and have mercy on you?

7. Ego et anima mea regi caeli laetationes dicimus, et anima mea laetabitur omnibus diebus vitae suae.

7. I exalt my God; my soul exalts the King of heaven, and will rejoice in his majesty.

8. Benedicite Dominum, omnes electi; et omnes, laudate maiestatem illius. Agite dies laetitiae et confitemini illi.

8. Let all men speak, and give him thanks in Jerusalem.

9. Ierusalem, civitas sancta, flagellabit te in operibus manuum tuarum.

9. O Jerusalem, the holy city, he will afflict you for the deeds of your sons, but again he will show mercy to the sons of the righteous.

10. Confitere Domino in bono opere et benedic regem saeculorum, ut iterum tabernaculum tuum aedificetur in te cum gaudio, et laetos faciat in te omnes captivos et diligat in te omnes miseros in omnia saecula saeculorum.

10. Give thanks worthily to the Lord, and praise the King of the ages, that his tent may be raised for you again with joy. May he cheer those within you who are captives, and love those within you who are distressed, to all generations for ever.

11. Lux splendida fulgebit in omnibus finibus terrae; nationes multae venient tibi ex longinquo et a novissimis partibus terrae ad nomen sanctum tuum et munera sua in manibus suis habentes regi caeli. Generationes generationum dabunt in te laetitiam, et nomen electae erit in saecula saeculorum.

11. Many nations will come from afar to the name of the Lord God, bearing gifts in their hands, gifts for the King of heaven. Generations of generations will give you joyful praise.

12. Maledicti omnes, qui dixerint verbum durum. Maledicti erunt omnes, qui deponunt te et destruunt muros tuos, et omnes, qui subvertunt turres tuas et qui incendunt habitationes tuas. Et benedicti erunt omnes, qui timent te in aevum.

12. Cursed are all who hate you; blessed for ever will be all who love you.

13. Tunc gaude et laetare in filiis iustorum, quoniam omnes colligentur et benedicent Domino aeterno.

13. Rejoice and be glad for the sons of the righteous; for they will be gathered together, and will praise the Lord of the righteous.

14. Felices, qui diligunt te, et felices, qui gaudebunt in pace tua. Et beati omnes homines, qui contristabuntur in omnibus flagellis tuis, quoniam in te gaudebunt et videbunt omne gaudium tuum in aeternum.

14. How blessed are those who love you! They will rejoice in your peace. Blessed are those who grieved over all your afflictions; for they will rejoice for you upon seeing all your glory, and they will be made glad for ever.

15. Anima mea, benedic Domino, regi magno,

15. Let my soul praise God the great King.

16. quia in Ierusalem civitate aedificabitur domus illius in omnia saecula. Felix ero, si fuerint reliquiae seminis mei ad videndam claritatem tuam et confitendum regi caeli. Ostia Ierusalem sapphiro et smaragdo aedificabuntur, et lapide pretioso omnes muri tui; et turres Ierusalem auro aedificabuntur, et propugnacula eius auro mundo.

16. For Jerusalem will be built with sapphires and emeralds, her walls with precious stones, and her towers and battlements with pure gold.

17. Plateae Ierusalem carbunculo sternentur et lapide Ophir;

17. The streets of Jerusalem will be paved with beryl and ruby and stones of Ophir;

18. et ostia Ierusalem cantica laetitiae dicent, et omnes vici eius loquentur: “Alleluia. Benedictus Deus Israel, et benedicti, qui benedicent nomen sanctum, in aeternum et adhuc!””.

18. all her lanes will cry `Hallelujah!' and will give praise, saying, `Blessed is God, who has exalted you for ever.'"