Tobit – Chapter 13

Old Testament23 Verses

1And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said: Thou art great O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages.

2For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.

3Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles:

4Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles, who know not him, that you may declare his wonderful works, and make them know that there is no other almighty God besides him.

5He hath chastised us for our iniquities: and he will save us for his own mercy.

6See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.

7As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shewn his majesty toward a sinful nation,

8Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will shew his mercy to you.

9And I and my soul will rejoice in him.

10Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him.

11Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord hath chastised thee for the works of thy hands.

12Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayst rejoice for ever and ever.

13Thou shalt shine with a glorious light: and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee,

14Nations from afar shall come to thee: and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee, and shall esteem thy land as holy.

15For they shall call upon the great name in thee,

16They shall be cursed that shall despise thee: and they shall be condemned that shall blaspheme thee: and blessed shall they be that shall build thee up,

17But thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall all be blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord.

18Blessed are all they that love thee, and that rejoice in thy peace,

19My soul, bless thou the Lord, because the Lord our God hath delivered Jerusalem his city from all her troubles.

20Happy shall I be if there shall remain of my seed, to see the glory of Jerusalem.

21The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones.

22All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets,

23Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen.

Reflection for Today

The message of Tobit Chapter 13 unfolds within the broader narrative of family piety, almsgiving, and angelic help. Catholic theology, drawing on this deuterocanonical book teaches about guardian angels and prayer (CIC 336), sees in this chapter a call to deeper faith. The principle that Prayer and almsgiving rise before God guides our interpretation.

The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. John Chrysostom, devoted themselves to explaining Scripture for the faithful. Their insights, preserved in the Church's Tradition, continue to illuminate our reading. The Catechism reminds us that "the Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (CIC 103).

As you engage with this chapter, bring your questions, struggles, and hopes to the text. God's Word addresses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the grace to live what we read. May this chapter strengthen your faith and deepen your love for Christ and His Church.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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