1 The book of the words of Toḇiyah, son of Toḇi’ĕl, the son of Ḥanane’ĕl, the son of Aḏu’ĕl, the son of Gaḇa’ĕl, son of Rapha’ĕl, of Raḡu’ĕl, of the seed of Asah’ĕl, of the tribe of Naphtali;
2 who, in the time of Shalmaneser sovereign of Ashshur was led captive out of Thisbĕ, which is to the right hand of that city, in Galil above Ashĕr which is properly called Naphtali.
3 I, Toḇiyah have walked all the days of my life in the Ways of truth and righteousness, and I did many good works to my brothers, and my nation, who came with me to Ninewĕh, to the land of Ashshur.
4 And when I was in my own land, in the land of Yisra’ĕl being still young, all the tribe of my father Naphtali fell from the House of Yerushalayim, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Yisra’ĕl, that all the tribes should slaughter there, where the Hĕyḳal of the dwelling of the Most High was qadosh and built for ever and ever.
5 Now all the tribes which revolted together, and the house of my father Naphtali, slaughtered to the calf of Baal,
6 but I alone went often to Yerushalayim for the Feasts, as it was given to all the people of Yisra’ĕl as an everlasting Law, having the first-fruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and I gave them at the altar to the kohenim – the children of Aharon.
7 The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aharon who served at Yerushalayim, another tenth part I sold away, and went and spent it every year at Yerushalayim,
8 and the third I gave to those to whom it was right, as Deḇorah my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.
9 Furthermore, when I came to manhood, I married Ḥannah of my own relatives, and from her I brought forth Toḇi.
10 And when we were carried away captive to Ninewĕh, all my brothers and those who were of my relatives ate of the bread of the gentiles.
11 But I kept myself from eating;
12 because I remembered Elohim with all my heart.
13 And the Most High gave me favour and kindness before Shalmaneser, so that I was his attendant.
14 And I went to Maḏai, and left ten kiḵars of silver in trust with Gaḇa’ĕl, the brother of Gaḇriyah at Rhaḡes a city of Maḏai.
15 Now when Shalmaneser was dead, Sanḥĕriḇ his son reigned in his place; whose reign was troubled, so I could not go to Maḏai.
16 And in the time of Shalmaneser I did many kind deeds to my brothers and gave my bread to the hungry,
17 and my garments to the naked. And if I saw any of my nation dead or scattered around the walls of Ninewĕh, I buried them.
18 And if Sanḥĕriḇ the Sovereign had slain any when he had come and fled from Yahuḏah, I buried them secretly; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found when they were sought for by the sovereign.
19 And when one of the Ninewites went and complained of me to the sovereign, that I buried them and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.
20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any left to me, besides my wife Ḥannah and my son Toḇi.
21 And fifty-five days had not passed before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat. And Ĕsarḥaddon his son reigned in his place, who appointed Aḥiqar my brother Ana’ĕl’s son over his father’s accounts and over all his affairs.
22 And with Aḥiqar entreating for me, I returned to Ninewĕh. Now Aḥiqar was cupbearer and keeper of the seal and manager, and overseer of the accounts, and Ĕsarḥaddon appointed him next to him, and he was my brother’s son.