World Blog by humble servant.There’s a book in the Bible entitled “Tobit.” It’s not in every Bible, but it’s in most Catholic Bibles, so it’s in the New American Bible, which is an excellent translation. Within the book, there’s a section where the man Tobit is instructing his son, Tobiah. It reminds me very much of Luqman (Chapter 31) in the Quran. His advice is very sound.

The Book of Tobit

There’s a book in the Bible entitled “Tobit.” It’s not in every Bible, but it’s in most Catholic Bibles, so it’s in the New American Bible, which is an excellent translation. Within the book, there’s a section where the man Tobit is instructing his son, Tobiah. It reminds me very much of Luqman (Chapter 31) in the Quran. His advice is very sound.

Tobit 4:3-19:

My son, when I die…honor your mother and do not abandon her as long as she lives. Do whatever pleases her, and do not grieve her in any way. Remember, my son, that she went through many trials for your sake while you were in her womb….

Through all your days, my son, keep the Lord in mind, and suppress every desire to sin or to break his commandments. Perform good works all the

days of your life, and do not tread the paths of wrongdoing. For if you are steadfast in your service, your good works will bring success….

Give alms from your possessions.  Do not turn your face away from any of the poor, and God’s face will not be turned away from you. Son, give alms in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that. But do not hesitate to give alms; you will be storing up a goodly treasure for yourself against the day of adversity…. Alms are a worthy offering in the sight of the Most High for all who give them.

If you thus behave as God’s servant, you will receive your reward. Keep a close watch on yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in all your conduct. Do to no one what you yourself dislike….

At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him to make all your paths straight and to grant success to all your endeavors and plans. For no pagan nation possesses good counsel, but the Lord himself gives all good things. If the Lord chooses, He raises a man up; but if He should decide otherwise, He casts him down to the deepest recesses of the nether world. So now, my son, keep in mind my commandments, and never let them be erased from your heart.