Tobit 4:5-14

5 "Every day of your life, keep the Lord our God in mind. Never sin deliberately or disobey any of his commands. Always do what is right and never get involved in anything evil.
6 Be honest, and you will succeed in whatever you do.
7 "Give generously to anyone who faithfully obeys God. If you are stingy in giving to the poor, God will be stingy in giving to you. 1
8 Give according to what you have. The more you have, the more you should give. Even if you have only a little, be sure to give something.
9 This is as good as money saved. You will have your reward in a time of trouble.
10 Taking care of the poor is the kind of offering that pleases God in heaven. Do this, and you will be kept safe from the dark world of the dead.
12 "Son, be on your guard against prostitutes. Above all, marry a woman of our tribe, because we are descendants of the prophets. Do not marry anyone who is not related to us. Remember that Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, our earliest ancestors, all married relatives. God blessed them with children, and so their descendants will inherit the land of Israel.
13 Son, be loyal to your own relatives. Don't be too proud to marry one of them. Such pride leads to terrible frustration and ruin, just as laziness brings on severe poverty and causes starvation.
14 "Pay your workers each day; never keep back their wages overnight. Honor God in this way, and he will reward you. Behave properly at all times.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 4.7Deuteronomy 15.7, 8;Proverbs 19.17;Ben Sira 3.30--4.6;1 John 3.17.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [The translation of verses 7b-19b, accidentally omitted in the Greek manuscript that this translation normally follows, is based on other Greek manuscripts.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.