THE cepher of the words of Toviyahu, son of Toviy'el, the son of Ananiy'el, the son of Ad'u'el, the son of Gavay'el, of the seed of Aca'el, of the tribe of Naphtaliy;
Who in the time of Enemessar king of Ashshur was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Naphtaliy in Galiyl above Asher.
I Toviyahu have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Niyneveh, into the land of Ashshur.
And when I was in my own country, in the land of Yashar'el, being but young, all the tribe of Naphtaliy my father fell from the house of Yerushalayim, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Yashar'el, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the Temple of the habitation of El Elyon was consecrated and built for all ages.
Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Naphtaliy, sacrificed unto the heifer Ba`al.
But I alone went often to Yerushalayim at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Yashar'el by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aharon.
The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aharon, who ministered at Yerushalayim: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Yerushalayim:
And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Deborah my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.
Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Channah of my own kindred, and of her I begat Toviyahu.
And when we were carried away captives to Niyneveh, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the other nations.
But I kept myself from eating;
Because I remembered Elohiym with all my heart.
And El Elyon gave me grace and favor before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.
And I went into Madai, and left in trust with Gavay'el, the brother of Gavriyahu, at Rages a city of Madai, ten talents of silver.
Now when Enemessar was dead, Cancheriyv his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Madai.
And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,
And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Niyneveh, I buried him.
And if the king Cancheriyv had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Yahudah, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king.
And when one of the inhabitants of Niyneveh went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.
Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there anything left me, beside my woman Channah and my son Toviyahu.
And there passed not five and fifty days, before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararat; and Ecar-Chaddon his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus my brother Ana'el's son.
And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Niyneveh. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and Ecar-Chaddon appointed him next unto him: and he was my brother's son.