What does Tobias Chapter 13 record?

Filled with gratitude and holy joy, the elder Tobias lifted his voice in a solemn canticle of praise, blessing the eternal majesty of God whose kingdom endures across all generations. He proclaimed that the Lord possesses absolute power over life and death, scourging sinners and delivering the afflicted, leading souls down to the depths and raising them up again so that none can escape His sovereign hand. Addressing his fellow Israelites, Tobias exhorted them to glorify God openly in the sight of the Gentiles. He explained that God had scattered them among pagan nations who did not know Him precisely so that the exiles might declare His wonderful deeds and teach the world that there is no other almighty God besides Him. Although the Lord had justly punished them for their iniquities, Tobias said He would save them for His own mercy. Calling on the dispersed people to revere the eternal King of worlds through righteous works, Tobias pledged that he would unceasingly praise the Lord in the land of his captivity, urging sinners to turn back to God, practice justice, and rejoice in His promised compassion.

Turning his prophetic gaze toward Jerusalem, the holy city, Tobias acknowledged that the Lord had chastised her on account of the sins of her inhabitants, but called on her to bless the eternal God for the restoration that awaited her. He foresaw that the Lord would rebuild His sacred tabernacle in her midst, release all her exiled captives, and cause her to rejoice for all ages. Tobias prophesied that Jerusalem would radiate with glorious divine light, drawing nations from the farthest ends of the earth to offer worship, present gifts, and honor the holy presence of God within her borders. Those who despised or blasphemed the holy city would incur divine condemnation, while those who loved her, sought her peace, and aided in her rebuilding would be blessed. He promised that Jerusalem would rejoice over her gathered children, who would all be united and blessed in the Lord.

Continuing his words about Jerusalem, Tobias praised God for delivering Jerusalem from all her afflictions, expressing his yearning that descendants of his own family might survive to behold her heavenly splendor. He described the city's future reconstruction in magnificent imagery, prophesying that its gates would be fashioned from sapphire and emerald, its surrounding walls constructed of precious stones, and all its streets paved with white and clean stones. In these immaculate streets, the redeemed assembly would sing Alleluia, giving unceasing praise to the Lord who exalted Jerusalem and who will reign over her in glory forever and ever.

The edition’s separate annotation says the Jerusalem prophecy applies partly to rebuilding after captivity and partly to the spiritual Jerusalem, the church of Christ, and the eternal Jerusalem in heaven.