And she answered him, “Be still and stop deceiving me; my child has perished.” And she went out every day to the road by which they had left; she ate nothing in the daytime, and throughout the nights she never stopped mourning for her son Tobi′as, until the fourteen days of the wedding feast had expired which Rag′uel had sworn that he should spend there.

Tobias and Sarah Start for Home

At that time Tobi′as said to Rag′uel, “Send me back, for my father and mother have given up hope of ever seeing me again.”

If you really hope in your heart that they will not be taken, do not look downcast! I have spoken and none of my words shall fail.”

But we know no other god but him, and therefore we hope that he will not disdain us or any of our nation.

“For thy power depends not upon numbers, nor thy might upon men of strength; for thou art God of the lowly, helper of the oppressed, upholder of the weak, protector of the forlorn, savior of those without hope.

Your hope will never depart from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of God.

Destruction of the Enemies of the Jews

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to get the mastery over them, but which had been changed to a day when the Jews should get the mastery over their foes,

and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hope for the wages of holiness, nor discern the prize for blameless souls;

For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.

for whoever despises wisdom and instruction is miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.

If they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation in the day of decision.

Because the hope of the ungodly man is like chaff carried by the wind, and like a light hoarfrost driven away by a storm; it is dispersed like smoke before the wind, and it passes like the remembrance of a guest who stays but a day.

God’s Lessons for Israel

Through such works thou has taught thy people that the righteous man must be kind, and thou hast filled thy sons with good hope, because thou givest repentance for sins.

The Foolishness of Idolatry

But miserable, with their hopes set on dead things, are the men who give the name “gods” to the works of men’s hands, gold and silver fashioned with skill, and likenesses of animals, or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.

For even in the beginning, when arrogant giants were perishing, the hope of the world took refuge on a raft, and guided by thy hand left to the world the seed of a new generation.

Lovers of evil things and fit for such objects of hope are those who either make or desire or worship them.

His heart is ashes, his hope is cheaper than dirt, and his life is of less worth than clay,

for the hope of an ungrateful man will melt like wintry frost, and flow away like waste water.

Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.

you who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for everlasting joy and mercy.

Even if he humbles himself and goes about cringing, watch yourself, and be on your guard against him; and you will be to him like one who has polished a mirror, and you will know that it was not hopelessly tarnished.

When he needs you he will deceive you, he will smile at you and give you hope. He will speak to you kindly and say, “What do you need?”

Blessed is he whose heart does not condemn him, and who has not given up his hope.

For a wound may be bandaged, and there is reconciliation after abuse, but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.

Dreams Mean Nothing

A man of no understanding has vain and false hopes, and dreams give wings to fools.

For dreams have deceived many, and those who put their hope in them have failed.