Tobit Remains Faithful in Exile

Tobit was from the tribe of Naphtali. He was taken away from his home in Galilee to Nineveh in Assyria. Looking back on his life, Tobit says he tried to walk in truth and righteousness, and he showed mercy to his own people there in exile.

When many in his tribe turned away, Tobit still went to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts. He brought firstfruits, tithes, and offerings, and he gave a third part to those who should receive it. Later he married Anna, and they had a son named Tobias.

In Nineveh, many of Tobit's relatives ate the food of the nations, but Tobit kept himself from it because he remembered God with all his soul. The Most High gave him favour with Enemessar, and he served the king. He also travelled to Media and left silver there for safekeeping.

Tobit gave bread to the hungry and clothes to the naked. When he found dead people of his own race left unburied, he buried them, even when that brought danger. After someone reported him, he hid, and all his goods were taken except his wife Anna and his son Tobias. After Sennacherib died and Sarchedonus reigned, Tobit's relative Achiacharus helped him, and Tobit came home again.

At Pentecost, a meal was prepared for Tobit. He sent Tobias to look for a poor kinsman who remembered the Lord. Instead, Tobias found a dead man in the marketplace. Tobit rose before eating, took the body aside until sunset, and then buried him. His neighbours mocked him, but Tobit still showed mercy.