Tobit 5:1-10:7

New Catholic Bible

Tobiah’s Journey

Chapter 5

A Welcome and Mysterious Guide. ¹ Then Tobiah replied to his father Tobit, “I will do everything that you have commanded me, father. ² But how will I be able to retrieve the money from him inasmuch as he does not know me and I do not know him? What proof can I give him so that he can recognize me, trust me, and give me the money? And furthermore, I do not know what roads I must take to make this journey to Media.”

³ Then Tobit answered his son Tobiah, “We each signed a document that I divided into two parts, one for each of us. I kept one part, and I put the other part with the money. Twenty years have now elapsed since I left this money in his care. So now, my son, you must find a trustworthy man who will accompany you. We will pay him wages until you return. But go and collect the money from Gabael.”^[a]

⁴ So Tobiah went out to look for someone who knew the way to Media and would be willing to accompany him. Outside, he encountered the angel Raphael standing in front of him. Unaware that he was an angel of God, ⁵ Tobiah said to him, “Where do you come from, young man?” “I am an Israelite, one of your kindred,” he replied. “I have come here to look for work.” Then Tobiah said to him, “Do you know the way to Media?”

⁶ “Yes,” he answered. “I have been there many times. I am familiar with all the routes, and I know them well. I have often traveled to Media where I used to stay with Gabael, our kinsman who lives at Rages in Media. It generally takes two full days^[b] to travel from Ecbatana to Rages, inasmuch as Rages is situated in a mountainous area while Ecbatana is in the middle of a plain.”

⁷ Tobiah said to him “Wait for me, young man, while I go inside and tell my father. I need you to travel with me, and I shall pay you for your time.” ⁸ He replied, “Very well, I will wait for you, but do not be too long.”

⁹ Tobiah went back inside to tell his father Tobit what had transpired. He said to him, “I have found a fellow Israelite to make the journey with me.” Tobit said, “Call the man inside, my son, so that I may find out about his family and ascertain to what tribe he belongs, to ensure that he will be a trustworthy traveling companion for you.” Tobiah went back outside and summoned him. He said, “Young man, my father would like to talk with you.”

¹⁰ When Raphael entered the house, Tobit greeted him first. When Raphael said, “Joyous greetings to you,” Tobit replied, “What joy can I experience anymore? I am blind. I can no longer see the light of heaven. I live in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light. Though still alive, I am dead for all intents and purposes. I hear people speak but I cannot see them.” Raphael said, “Have courage! God in his providence will restore your sight. Have courage!”

Tobit then said, “My son Tobiah wishes to go to Media. Will you accompany him as his guide? I will pay your wages, brother.” “Yes,” he answered. “I can go with him. I am familiar with all the roads, for I have often been to Media. I have journeyed across all its plains and mountains, and I know all its roads.” ¹¹ Tobit said, “Brother, tell me what family and tribe you belong to.” ¹² Raphael asked, “Why do you need to know my family and my tribe? Are you seeking a family and a tribe or a hired man to accompany your son on his journey?” Tobit answered, “I want to be quite sure whose son you are and what your name is.”

¹³ Raphael replied, “I am Azariah,^[c] son of Hananiah the elder, one of your relatives.” ¹⁴ Tobit said in answer, “Welcome! God save you, brother. Do not be offended at me for wanting to learn the truth about you and your family. As it so happens, you are a relative, and of a good and noble lineage. I knew Hananiah and Nathaniah, the two sons of Shemaiah the elder. They used to go on pilgrimage with me to Jerusalem, where we would worship together. They never strayed from the path of righteousness. Your kindred are worthy people. You indeed come of good stock. Welcome!”

¹⁵ Then he added, “I will pay you a drachma^[d] a day and in addition allow you the same expenses as those for my son. If you go with my son, ¹⁶ I will even add a bonus to your basic wages.” Raphael replied, “I will go with him, so have no fear. We will depart from you in good health, and we will return to you in good health, because the route is safe.” ¹⁷ Tobit said, “God bless you, brother.”

Then Tobit called his son and said to him, “My son, prepare everything you need for the journey and set out with your kinsman. May God in heaven protect both of you on your journey there and return you to me safe and sound, and may his angel accompany you and ensure your safety, my son.”

Tobiah’s Leavetaking. Before departing on his journey, Tobiah kissed his father and mother. Tobit said to him, “Have a safe journey.” ¹⁸ However, his mother began to weep, and she said to Tobit, “Why must you send my child away? Is he not the staff on whom we lean as he supports us in whatever we do? ¹⁹ Do not pile money upon money. Rather let it serve as a ransom for our son. ²⁰ Let us be content with the life that the Lord has provided for us.”

²¹ “Do not worry,” Tobit replied. “Our son will depart from us in good health and will return to us in good health. Your eyes will see him on the day when he returns to you safe and sound. ²² So banish such thoughts. Do not be concerned about them, my sister. A good angel will accompany him, his journey will be successful, and he will return to us safe and sound.” ²³ Then she stopped weeping.

Chapter 6

Catch of a Large Fish. ¹ The youth left together with the angel, ² and the dog followed them out of the house and accompanied them. They journeyed until nightfall and then camped beside the Tigris River. ³ When the youth went down to bathe his feet in the river, a large fish leapt out of the water and tried to swallow his foot. He cried out, ⁴ but the angel said, “Take hold of the fish and don’t let it escape.” The youth took hold of the fish and pulled it to the shore. ⁵ The angel then said to him, “Cut the fish up and take out its gall, heart, and liver. Keep them with you, and throw out the entrails, for the gall, heart, and liver can be used as medicines.” ⁶ The youth cut the fish up and set aside the gall, heart, and liver. He broiled and ate part of the fish, salting the rest so that it could be used on the journey. Afterward they continued their travels together until they drew near to Media.

⁷ Then the youth posed this question to the angel: “Brother Azariah, what medicinal value can there be in the heart, liver, and gall of the fish?” ^8 [e]He replied, “As far as the heart and liver are concerned, when you burn them and the smoke rises in the presence of someone, man or woman, who is afflicted by a demon or an evil spirit, that affliction will disappear for good and will never plague that person again. ⁹ As regards the gall, if you anoint the eyes of someone where white patches have appeared on them and then blow on those patches, the eyes will be healed.”

¹⁰ Raphael’s Counsels. When they had entered Media and were drawing near to Ecbatana, ¹¹ Raphael said to the youth, “Brother Tobiah!” He answered, “Here I am.” Raphael went on: “Tonight we must stay in the home of Raguel who is a relative of yours. He has a daughter named Sarah, ¹² but aside from her he has no other son or daughter. Since you are her next of kin, you above all others have the right to marry her and to inherit her father’s goods. This girl is sensible, brave, and very beautiful, and her father is a fine man.”

¹³ He continued: “Since you have the right to marry her, listen to me, brother. Tonight I will speak to her father and secure his approval to have her betrothed to you. When we return from Rages, we will hold her marriage celebration. I know that Raguel has no right to refuse your request or to betroth her to another man without incurring the death penalty as decreed in the Book of Moses. He clearly understands that you above all other men have the right to marry his daughter.

“So listen to me, brother. Tonight we will speak about the girl and arrange for her to be betrothed to you. And when we return from Rages, we will take her with us and bring her to your home.”

¹⁴ However, in reply to Raphael, Tobiah said, “Brother Azariah, I have heard that she has already been given in marriage seven times, and that each of her husbands died in the bridal chamber. The very night that they entered her room, they died, and I have heard people claim that it was a demon who killed them. ¹⁵ Therefore, I am afraid. The demon does not harm her because he loves her, but he kills any man who tries to approach her. I am my father’s only son, and if I should die, I fear that the resulting grief would bring my father and mother to their grave—and they have no other son to bury them.”

¹⁶ Raphael retorted, “Have you forgotten your father’s instructions to take a wife from his family? Now listen to me, brother. Do not worry about this demon. Take Sarah in marriage. I know that this very night she will be given to you in marriage. ¹⁷ When you enter the bridal chamber, take some of the heart and liver of the fish and place them on the burning incense. ¹⁸ When the demon smells the odor that will arise, he will flee, and never again will he be seen near her.

“Then, before you go to bed with her, both of you must first stand up and pray. Beseech the Lord of heaven to grant you his mercy and protection. Do not be afraid; she was set apart for you before the world was created. You will save her, and she will go with you. Undoubtedly by her you will have children who will be like brothers to you. Do not worry!”

When Tobiah heard Raphael’s words and learned that Sarah was his kinswoman, related through his father’s lineage, he was filled with love for her, and his heart became set on her.^[f]

Chapter 7

Raguel Welcomes His Guests. ¹ As they entered Ecbatana, Tobiah said, “Brother Azariah, take me directly to our kinsman Raguel.” So he brought him to the house of Raguel, where they found him sitting beside his courtyard gate. They greeted him first, and he replied, “Greetings to you, too, my brothers. You are welcome, and I wish you good health.”

When he brought them into his house, ² he said to his wife Edna, “This young man truly resembles my kinsman Tobit.” ³ Then Edna asked them, “Where are you from, brothers?” They replied, “We belong to the descendants of Naphtali, who are now in exile at Nineveh.” ⁴ “Do you know our kinsman Tobit?” she asked, and they answered, “Yes, we do.” “Is he well?” she inquired. ⁵ “He is alive and well,” they replied, and Tobiah added, “He is my father.”

⁶ Raguel leapt to his feet and, with tears in his eyes, he kissed him, saying, ⁷ “God bless you, my child. You are the son of a good and noble father. But how tragic it is that such an upright and charitable man has lost his sight!” He then embraced his kinsman Tobiah and wept. ⁸ His wife Edna also wept for Tobit, as did their daughter Sarah.

Sarah Is Given in Marriage to Tobiah. ⁹ Afterward Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock and gave them a warm welcome. When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobiah said to Raphael, “Brother Azariah, please ask Raguel to give me my kinswoman Sarah in marriage.” ¹⁰ Raguel overheard this and said to the young man, “Eat and drink and be merry tonight, for no one else but you, my brother, has the right to marry my daughter Sarah. In any event, I do not have the right to give her to anyone else, since you are my closest relative.

“However, my son, I must frankly reveal the truth to you. ¹¹ I have previously given her in marriage to seven of our kinsmen, and they all died on their wedding night when they entered her chamber. But for the moment, my child, eat and drink, and may the Lord show kindness in dealing with you both.” Tobiah answered, “I will neither eat nor drink anything until you give me what is mine.”

Raguel said to him, “I will do so. She is yours, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Book of Moses, and heaven itself decrees that she be given to you. Take your kinswoman; from now on you belong to her and she belongs to you. She is given to you from today forever. May the Lord of heaven look upon you favorably tonight, my child, and grant you mercy and peace.”

¹² Then Raguel summoned his daughter Sarah, and when she came to him, he took her by the hand^[g] and gave her to Tobiah with these words: “Take her as your wife in accordance with the law and the decree written in the Book of Moses. Take her and bring her safe and sound to your father. And may the God of heaven bless both of you with peace and prosperity.” ¹³ Then, after summoning her mother and instructing her to bring him a scroll, he drew up and affixed his seal to a marriage contract^[h] stating that he gave Sarah to Tobiah as his wife according to the decree of the law of Moses. ¹⁴ Afterward they began to eat and drink.

¹⁵ Later on, Raguel called his wife Edna and said, “My sister, get the other room ready and bring her there.” ¹⁶ She went and made the bed in the room as he had instructed and brought Sarah there. After weeping over her, she wiped away her tears and said, ¹⁷ “Have courage, my daughter. May the Lord of heaven turn your grief to joy. Have courage, my daughter.” Then she departed.

Chapter 8

An Unusual Wedding Night. ¹ When they had finished eating and drinking and were ready to retire, they escorted the young man from the dining room to the bedroom. ² Then Tobiah recalled Raphael’s instructions. He removed the liver and heart of the fish from the bag where he had stored them, and he placed them on the embers of the incense. ³ The odor of the fish so repelled the demon that he fled to Upper Egypt.^[i] However, Raphael followed him there and bound him hand and foot. Then he returned at once.

^4 [j]When the girl’s parents had left the room and closed the door behind them, Tobiah got out of bed and said to Sarah, “Arise, my beloved. Let us pray and implore our Lord to grant us his mercy and protection.” ⁵ She got up, and they started to pray and ask that they might be kept safe. Tobiah began by saying:

⁸ Then together they said, “Amen, amen,” ⁹ and they slept through the night.

But Raguel arose and summoned his servants, and they went outside and dug a grave, ¹⁰ for he said, “If Tobiah should die, we will be subjected to ridicule and scorn.” ¹¹ When they had finished digging the grave, Raguel went back into the house and summoned his wife, ¹² saying, “Send one of the maids into the room to see whether Tobiah is still alive. If he should be dead, let us bury him so that no one will know anything about it.” ¹³ They summoned the maid, lit a lamp, and opened the bedroom door. After the maid went in and found them sound asleep together, ¹⁴ she came out and informed them that Tobiah was alive and that there was nothing wrong. ¹⁵ Then Raguel blessed the God of heaven with these words:

¹⁸ Then he instructed his servants to fill in the grave before daybreak.

¹⁹ The Great Wedding Feast. Having asked his wife to bake many loaves of bread, Raguel went out to his flock and selected two oxen and four rams and ordered them to be slaughtered. Thus they began to prepare for the feast.

²⁰ Then he called Tobiah and swore an oath to him: “You shall not depart from here for fourteen days.^[k] Rather, you shall stay here eating and drinking with me, and you shall bring joy to my daughter’s heart after all the suffering she has endured. ²¹ Take at once half of everything I possess,^[l] and then return with her safe and sound to your father. When my wife and I are dead, you will inherit the other half. Have courage, my son. I am your father and Edna is your mother, and now and forever we belong to you just as much as we belong to your wife. Have courage, my son.”

Chapter 9

Tobiah Remembers His Primary Mission.^{[m] 1} Then Tobiah sent for Raphael. ² “Brother Azariah,” he said, “take four servants and two camels with you and leave for Rages. ³ Go to Gabael’s house, give him the note of credit, and collect the money. Then invite him to come with you to the wedding celebration. ⁴ As you realize, my father must be counting the days, and if my return should be delayed by as little as a single day, he will be deeply grieved. You witnessed the oath that Raguel has sworn, and I cannot violate that oath.”

^5 [n]And so Raphael, together with the four servants and two camels, went to Rages in Media and lodged with Gabael. Raphael gave Gabael the note of credit, informed him about the marriage of Tobiah, son of Tobit, and invited him to the wedding feast. Gabael immediately arose and counted out to him the money bags with their seals still intact. Then they loaded them onto the camels.

⁶ The following morning they both arose early and set off to the wedding celebration. When they entered Raguel’s house, they found Tobiah reclining at table. He jumped up and greeted Gabael, who wept and blessed him with these words: “Good and noble son of a father equally good and noble, upright and generous, may the Lord bestow the blessing of heaven on you and your wife, as well as on your wife’s father and mother. Blessed be God, for I observe in Tobiah the very image of my cousin Tobit.”^[o]

Chapter 10

Anxiety of Tobiah’s Parents.^{[p] 1} Meanwhile, every day Tobit continued to estimate the number of days Tobiah would need for the journey there and for the return trip. When that time had elapsed and still his son had not returned, ² he said, “Is it possible that he has been detained there? Perhaps Gabael is dead and there is no one who is able to give him the money.” ³ And he began to worry. ⁴ His wife Anna said, “My son has perished and is no longer among the living.” And she began to weep, and to mourn over her son, saying, ⁵ “Alas, my child, the light of my eyes. Why did I permit you to make this journey?”

⁶ However, Tobit continued to reassure her: “Hush! Do not worry, my dear. He is all right. Probably something unexpected has happened to delay them. The man who is accompanying him is trustworthy and one of our kindred. So do not grieve for him, my dear. He will be here soon.”

⁷ But she retorted: “Let me alone and do not try to deceive me! My child has perished.” Each day she would go out and maintain her watch on the road her son had taken, and she would listen to no one. At sunset she would return home and mourn and weep throughout the night, unable to sleep.

The Return of Tobiah

Tobiah Insists on Returning Home.^[q] After the fourteen days for the wedding celebration that Raguel had sworn to hold for his daughter had come to an end, Tobiah approached him and said, “Now please let me depart, for I am positive that my father and mother do not believe that they will ever see me again. So I beseech you, father, that you allow me to return home now to my father Tobit. I have already explained to you the condition in which I left him.”