1. Then Tobit spoke and wrote down a psalm in praise, saying,Bless the God who lives forever,and bless his kingdom,
2. because he punishes and shows mercy.He brings people down to the underworld below the earth,and he himself raises peopleup from great destruction.What is there that escapesfrom his hand?
3. Bear witness to him, Israelites,in the presence of the nations,because he has scattered youamong them,
4. and he has shown youhis greatness there.Bring him honor in the presenceof everything that lives,because he is our Lord:he himself is our God;he himself is our father,and he is God forever and always.
5. He will punish you for your unjust acts,but he will also show all of you mercy and gather you togetherout of all the nations among which you have been scattered.
6. When you turn to himwith all your heart and your all beingto act sincerely before him,then he will turn to you and neverhide his face from you again.And now, look at whathe has done for you,and acknowledge himin everything you say.Praise the Lord of righteousness,and exalt the king of the ages!I will acknowledge him in the land where I am a captiveand make known his powerand greatness to a sinful nation.So turn around, you sinners,and act justly before him.Who knows?Perhaps he will want you backand show you mercy.
7. My soul exalts my God,the king of heaven,and my soul will rejoiceall the days of my life.
8. Praise the Lord, all you chosen ones,and let everyonepraise his greatness.Let them speak through psalms,use your days for rejoicing,and acknowledge him.
9. He has punished you, Jerusalem, holy city,because of the deeds of your hands.
10. Acknowledge the Lord in goodness,and praise the Lord of ages!Then your dwelling will be rebuiltfor you with joy.He will bring joy toall the captives among you,and he will love for all eternityall those who have been subjugated.
11. A bright light will shine forthinto the farthest corners of the earth.Many nations will come to youfrom afar,and inhabitants from all the endsof the earth will cometo your holy name.They will bear gifts in their handsfor the king of heaven.Generation after generationwill give joyful worship to youand honor your name forever and always.
12. May all who have despised youand slandered you be cursed!Cursed are all who hate you and all who speak a harsh word against you.But all who revere youwill be blessed for eternity.
13. Rejoice then and be gladfor the children of the righteous,for all will be gathered togetherand praise the eternal Lord.
14. Favored by God are those who love you,favored are those who rejoicewhen you are at peace,and favored are all the peoplewho grieve when you are afflicted,for they will rejoice over youand will see all your joy forever.
15. I praise the Lord, the great king!
16. Jerusalem will be built as a city,God’s house for all ages to come.I will be greatly favoredwhen the few remaining frommy offspring see your gloryand acknowledge the king of heaven!The gates of Jerusalem will be builtwith sapphire and emerald,and all your wallswill be made of precious stone.The towers of Jerusalemwill be built with gold,and their fortifications will be made of pure gold.
17. The streets of Jerusalem will be paved with garnet and stone from Ophir.
18. And the gates of Jerusalem will burst into song with joyful hymns,and all her houses will shout out,"Hallelujah!May the God of Israel be praised,and may those who bless the holy name be blessed forever and always!"