Tobit 13
Tobit praises the Lord for his eternal kingdom and power to both scourge and save, and he calls on the Israelites to confess and praise the Lord among the nations. He acknowledges that the Lord has chastised them for their iniquities, but will save them due to his mercy. Tobit expresses his own joy and gratitude, and he looks forward to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the gathering of the captives, when the city will shine with a splendid light and be revered by the nations.
And so, the elder Tobit, opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and he said: "O Lord, you are great in eternity and your kingdom is with all agesFor you scourge, and you save. You lead down to the grave, and you bring up again. And there is no one who can escape from your handConfess to the Lord, O sons of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the nationsFor, indeed, he has dispersed you among the Gentiles, who are ignorant of him, that you may proclaim his wonders, and that you may cause them to know that there is no other almighty God, except himHe has chastised us because of our iniquities, and he will save us because of his mercyTherefore, look upon what he has done for us, and, with fear and trembling, confess to him. And extol the King of all ages with your worksBut as for me, I will confess him in the land of my captivity. For he has revealed his majesty within a sinful nationAnd so, be converted, you sinners, and do justice in the presence of God, believing that he will act in his mercy toward youBut I and my soul will rejoice in himBless the Lord, all you his elect. Keep days of rejoicing, and confess to himO Jerusalem, the city of God, the Lord has chastised you for the works of your handsConfess to the Lord with your good things, and bless the God of all ages, so that he may rebuild his tabernacle in you, and he may recall all the captives to you, and you may be glad in all ages and foreverYou will shine with a splendid light, and all the ends of the earth will adore by youNations from far away will come to you, bringing gifts. And in you, they shall adore the Lord, and they will hold your land in sanctificationFor they will invoke the Great Name in youThose who despise you will be cursed, and all those who blaspheme by you will be condemned, and those who build you up will be blessedBut you will rejoice in your sons, because they will all be blessed, and they will be gathered together for the LordBlessed are all those who love you and who rejoice in your peaceBless the Lord, O my soul, for the Lord our God has freed Jerusalem, his city, from every one of her tribulationsHappy will I be, if any of my offspring will be left to see the brightness of JerusalemThe gates of Jerusalem will be built from sapphire and emerald, and all its walls will be surrounded with precious stonesAll its streets will be paved with stones, white and clean. And ‘Alleluia’ will be sung throughout its neighborhoodsBlessed be the Lord, who has exalted it, and may he reign over it, forever and ever. Amen.
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