1 Thus under King Esarhaddon I returned to my home, and my wife Anna and my son Tobiah were restored to me. Then on our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat.
2 The table was set for me, and when many different dishes were placed before me, I said to my son Tobiah: "My son, go out and try to find a poor man from among our kinsmen exiled here in Nineveh. If he is a sincere worshiper of God, bring him back with you, so that he can share this meal with me. Indeed, son, I shall wait for you to come back."
3 Tobiah went out to look for some poor kinsman of ours. When he returned he exclaimed, "Father!" I said to him, "What is it, son?" He answered, "Father, one of our people has been murdered! His body lies in the market place where he was just strangled!"
4 I sprang to my feet, leaving the dinner untouched; and I carried the dead man from the street and put him in one of the rooms, so that I might bury him after sunset.
5 Returning to my own quarters, I washed myself and ate my food in sorrow.
6 I was reminded of the oracle pronounced by the prophet Amos against Bethel: "Your festivals shall be turned into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation."
7 And I wept. Then at sunset I went out, dug a grave, and buried him.
8 The neighbors mocked me, saying to one another: "Will this man never learn! Once before he was hunted down for execution because of this very thing; yet now that he has escaped, here he is again burying the dead!"
9 That same night I bathed, and went to sleep next to the wall of my courtyard. Because of the heat I left my face uncovered.
10 I did not know there were birds perched on the wall above me, till their warm droppings settled in my eyes, causing cataracts. I went to see some doctors for a cure, but the more they anointed my eyes with various salves, the worse the cataracts became, until I could see no more. For four years I was deprived of eyesight, and all my kinsmen were grieved at my condition. Ahiqar, however, took care of me for two years, until he left for Elymais.
11 At that time my wife Anna worked for hire at weaving cloth, the kind of work women do.
12 When she sent back the goods to their owners, they would pay her. Late in winter she finished the cloth and sent it back to the owners. They paid her the full salary, and also gave her a young goat for the table.
13 On entering my house the goat began to bleat. I called to my wife and said: "Where did this goat come from? Perhaps it was stolen! Give it back to its owners; we have no right to eat stolen food!"
14 But she said to me, "It was given to me as a bonus over and above my wages." Yet I would not believe her, and told her to give it back to its owners. I became very angry with her over this. So she retorted: "Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your virtuous acts? See! Your true character is finally showing itself!"
Versículos relacionados com Tobit, 2:
In Chapter 2 of the Book of Tobias, we see Tobias leaving his home and departing on a journey to recover a debt of a friend. During his trip, Tobias finds a stranger he does not recognize as an angel disguised as Rafael. Together they travel to the city of Media, where Tobias recovers his friend's debt and finds his future wife, Sara. Here are five verses related to the topics covered in Tobias 2:
Proverbs 16:7 - "When a man's ways they please the Lord, even his enemies make up with him." Tobias traveled in search of a debt, but his virtuous and godly behavior resulted in a greater blessing than he expected.
Isaiah 41:10 - "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with my victorious right hand." Tobias faced many challenges on his journey, but he trusted God and was rewarded for his faith.
James 2:17 - "In the same way, faith by itself, without works, is dead." Tobias was a man of faith, but he was also willing to act in his faith, as in helping the blind on his journey.
1 Peter 4:8 - "Above all, they sincerely love each other, because love covers a multitude of sins." Tobias's wife, Sara, was tormented by a demon and, with the help of Rafael, Tobias was able to free her. This love and faithfulness for each other were fundamental to overcome this challenge.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "For everything there is a certain occasion; there is a certain time for each purpose under heaven." Tobias's journey was not easy, but he was rewarded for his perseverance and patience. These verses show how faith, perseverance, and trust in God can help overcome challenges and receive blessings beyond expected.
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