Tobit 14:9-11
New Catholic Bible
9 “So now, my son, depart from Nineveh; do not remain here. 10 Once you have buried your mother next to me, do not spend even one more night within the confines of this city, where the people are without shame as they engage in wickedness and deceit. Recall, my son, what Nadab[a] did to Ahiqar who had raised him. While still alive, Ahiqar was forced to hide in a grave. However, God’s justice did not allow this disgraceful outrage to remain unpunished, inasmuch as Ahiqar came out again into the light of day, while Nadab descended into eternal darkness because of his attempt on Ahiqar’s life.
“Because Ahiqar gave alms, he managed to escape the deadly trap that Nadab had set for him. However, Nadab himself fell into that trap and was destroyed. 11 So, my children, you can see what almsgiving accomplishes, as well as what wickedness does—it leads to death. But now my breath fails me.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Tobit 14:10 Nadab: in the Book of Ahiqar, the protagonist is the chancellor for the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Esarhaddon. As his successor, he grooms his adopted nephew, Nadab, but the latter schemes to have his uncle disgraced and put to death. Ahiqar seeks asylum in a friend’s house and is ultimately vindicated when Nadab’s treachery is uncovered. Nadab is cast into a dungeon where he meets his death. The reason behind Ahiqar’s salvation was his almsgiving.
