I remembered the prophecy of Amos: The quotation from Amos 8.10 appears here in the passive voice, which is probably an attempt to avoid ascribing evil to God. In the Hebrew of Amos this is a threat that God makes, in the first person singular. When Tobit realizes that the interruption of his observance of the festival recalls the prophet’s dire words, he is moved to tears. Another way to render this sentence is “I remembered the words that the prophet Amos said” or “I remembered what God’s messenger Amos had said.”

Against Bethel may be rendered “to the people of Bethel” (Good News Translation). The textual footnote in New Revised Standard Version is unnecessary. The Old Latin text has “Bethlehem,” but our Greek text says “Bethel.” (The other Greek text does not mention a place, but neither does Amos.)

Your festivals shall be turned into mourning: This may be rendered “Your festivals will be turned into funerals” (Good News Translation), or even “Instead of celebrating joyful festivals [or, fiestas] you will mourn [or, weep bitterly].”

All your songs into lamentations may be translated “and your glad songs will become cries of grief” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version combines the two lines of poetry as follows: “Your festivals and joyful singing will turn into sorrow.”

And I wept: Contemporary English Version puts this clause at the beginning of verse 7, but this does not seem necessary.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Tobit. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.