1   Tobit said:

‘Praise to the ever-living God and to his kingdom.
2   He punishes and he shows mercy;
he brings men down to the grave below,
and up from the great destruction.
Nothing can escape his power.
3   Give him thanks, men of Israel, in the presence of the nations,
for he has scattered you among them;
4   there he has shown you his greatness.
Exalt him in the sight of every living creature,
for he is our Lord and God;
he is our Father and our God for ever.
5   He will punish you for your wickedness,
and he will show mercy to you all,

Tobias's homecoming
gathering you from among all the nations
wherever you have been scattered.
6   When you turn to him with all your heart and soul
and act in loyal obedience to him,
then he will turn to you
and hide his face from you no longer.
Consider now the deeds he has done for you,
and give him thanks with full voice;
praise the righteous Lord
and exalt the King of ages. ^note




   

   

   


   


10   ‘Your sanctuary ^note shall be rebuilt for you with rejoicing.
May he give happiness to all your exiles
and cherish all who mourn and your descendants for ever.
11   Your light shall shine brightly to all the ends of the earth.
Many nations shall come to you from afar,
from all the corners of the earth to your holy name;
they shall bring gifts in their hands for the King of heaven.
In you endless generations shall utter their joy;
the name of the chosen city shall endure for ever and ever.
12   There shall be a curse upon all who speak harshly to you,
upon all who destroy you and pull down your walls,
upon all who demolish your towers and burn your houses;
but blessings shall be for evermore upon those who hold you in reverence.
13   Come then, be joyful for the righteous,
for they shall all be gathered together
and shall praise the eternal Lord.

Tobias's homecoming

14   How happy shall they be who love you and rejoice in your prosperity,
happy all who grieve for you in your afflictions;
they shall rejoice over you and for ever be witness of your joy.
15   My soul, praise the Lord, the great king,
16   for Jerusalem shall be built as a city for him to dwell in for ever.
How happy I shall be when the remnant of my descendants shall see your splendour
and give thanks to the King of heaven.
The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire and emerald,
and all your walls of precious stones.
The towers of Jerusalem shall be built of gold,
their battlements of the finest gold.
17   The streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with garnets and jewels of Ophir.
18   The gates of Jerusalem shall sing hymns of joy
and all her houses shall say Alleluia,
praise to the God of Israel!
Blessed by him, they shall bless his holy name for ever and ever.’

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