Tobit 4:1-5:16

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Tobit Gives Instructions to His Son

4 On that day Tobit remembered the money which he had left in trust with Gab′ael at Rages in Media, and he said to himself: ² “I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobi′as so that I may explain to him about the money^[a] before I die?” ³ So he called him and said, “My son, when I die, bury me, and do not neglect your mother. Honor her all the days of your life; do what is pleasing to her, and do not grieve her. ⁴ Remember, my son, that she faced many dangers for you while you were yet unborn. When she dies, bury her beside me in the same grave.

⁵ “Remember the Lord our God all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing. ⁶ For if you do what is true, your ways will prosper through your deeds. ⁷ Give alms from your possessions to all who live uprightly, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. ⁸ If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. ⁹ So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. ¹⁰ For charity^[b] delivers from death and keeps you from entering the darkness; ¹¹ and for all who practice it charity is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

¹² “Beware, my son, of all immorality.^[c] First of all take a wife from among the descendants of your fathers and do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the sons of the prophets. Remember, my son, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our fathers of old, all took wives from among their brethren. They were blessed in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land. ¹³ So now, my son, love your brethren, and in your heart do not disdain your brethren and the sons and daughters of your people by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion; and in shiftlessness there is loss and great want, because shiftlessness is the mother of famine. ¹⁴ Do not hold over till the next day the wages of any man who works for you, but pay him at once; and if you serve God you will receive payment.

“Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and be disciplined in all your conduct. ¹⁵ And what you hate, do not do to any one. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. ¹⁶ Give of your bread to the hungry, and of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus to charity, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you made it. ¹⁷ Place your bread^[d] on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. ¹⁸ Seek advice from every wise man, and do not despise any useful counsel. ¹⁹ Bless the Lord God on every occasion; ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding; but the Lord himself gives all good things, and according to his will he humbles whomever he wishes.

Money Left in Trust with Gabael

“So, my son, remember my commands, and do not let them be blotted out of your mind. ²⁰ And now let me explain to you about the ten talents of silver which I left in trust with Gab′ael the son of Gabri′as at Rages in Media. ²¹ Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and refrain from every sin and do what is pleasing in his sight.”

The Angel Raph′ael

5 Then Tobi′as answered him, “Father, I will do everything that you have commanded me; ² but how can I obtain the money when I do not know the man?” ³ Then Tobit gave him the receipt, and said to him, “Find a man to go with you and I will pay him wages as long as I live; and go and get the money.” ⁴ So he went to look for a man; and he found Raph′ael, who was an angel, ⁵ but Tobi′as^[e] did not know it. Tobi′as^[f] said to him, “Can you go with me to Rages in Media? Are you acquainted with that region?” ⁶ The angel replied, “I will go with you; I am familiar with the way, and I have stayed with our brother Gab′ael.” ⁷ Then Tobi′as said to him, “Wait for me, and I shall tell my father.” ⁸ And he said to him, “Go, and do not delay.” So he went in and said to his father, “I have found some one to go with me.” He said, “Call him to me, so that I may learn to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is a reliable man to go with you.”

⁹ So Tobi′as^[g] invited him in; he entered and they greeted each other. ¹⁰ Then Tobit said to him, “My brother, to what tribe and family do you belong? Tell me.” ¹¹ But he answered, “Are you looking for a tribe and a family or for a man whom you will pay to go with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I should like to know, my brother, your people and your name.” ¹² He replied, “I am Azari′as the son of the great Anani′as, one of your relatives.” ¹³ Then Tobit said to him, “You are welcome, my brother. Do not be angry with me because I tried to learn your tribe and family. You are a relative of mine, of a good and noble lineage. For I used to know Anani′as and Jathan, the sons of the great Shema′iah, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship and offered the first-born of our flocks and the tithes of our produce. They did not go astray in the error of our brethren. My brother, you come of good stock. ¹⁴ But tell me, what wages am I to pay you—a drachma a day, and expenses for yourself as for my son? ¹⁵ And besides, I will add to your wages if you both return safe and sound.” So they agreed to these terms.

¹⁶ Then he said to Tobi′as, “Get ready for the journey, and good success to you both.” So his son made the preparations for the journey. And his father said to him, “Go with this man; God who dwells in heaven will prosper your way, and may his angel attend you.” So they both went out and departed, and the young man’s dog was with them.