Tobit 4

1 I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth. 2 Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust. 3 Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness. 4 But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust. 5 And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man, 6 For thy counsel is not in man’s power. 7 But this every one is sure of that worshippeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy. 8 For thou art not delighted in our being lost, because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou pourest in joyfulness. 9 Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever, 10 At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God: 11 And the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord. 13 Therefore when Tobias thought that his prayer was heard that he might die, he called to him Tobias his son, 14 And said to him: Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. 15 When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honour thy mother all the days of her life: 16 For thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb. 17 And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her by me. 18 And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, nor transgress the commandments of the Lord our God. 19 Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee. 20 According to thy ability be merciful. 21 If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.