Tobit 5-6

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Angel Raphael

5 Then Tobias answered his father Tobit, “I will do everything that you have commanded me, father, ² but how can I obtain the money^[a] from him, since he does not know me and I do not know him? What evidence^[b] am I to give him so that he will recognize and trust me and give me the money? Also, I do not know the roads to Media or how to get there.” ³ Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, “He gave me his bond, and I gave him my bond. I^[c] divided his in two; we each took one part, and I put one with the money. And now twenty years have passed since I left this money in trust. So now, my son, find yourself a trustworthy man to go with you, and we will pay him wages until you return. But get back the money from Gabael.”^[d](A)

⁴ So Tobias went out to look for a man to go with him to Media, someone who was acquainted with the way. He went out and found the angel Raphael standing in front of him, but he did not perceive that he was an angel of God.^{(B) 5} Tobias^[e] said to him, “Where do you come from, young man?” “From the Israelites, your kindred,” he replied, “and I have come here to work.” Then Tobias^[f] said to him, “Do you know the way to go to Media?”^{(C) 6} “Yes,” he replied, “I have been there many times; I am acquainted with it and know all the roads. I have often traveled to Media and would stay with our kinsman Gabael who lives in Rages of Media. It is a journey of two days from Ecbatana to Rages, for it lies in a mountainous area, while Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.” ⁷ Then Tobias said to him, “Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father, for I do need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages.” ⁸ He replied, “All right, I will wait, but do not take too long.”

⁹ So Tobias went in to tell his father Tobit and said to him, “I have just found a man who is one of our own Israelite kindred!” He replied, “Call the man in so that I may learn about his people and to what tribe he belongs and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you, my son.”

¹⁰ Then Tobias went out and called him and said, “Young man, my father is calling for you.” So he went in to him, and Tobit greeted him first. He replied, “Many greetings to you!” But Tobit retorted, “What is left for me to greet any more? I am a man without eyesight; I cannot see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light. Although still alive, I am among the dead. I hear people’s voices, but I cannot see them.” But the young man^[g] said, “Take courage; the time is near for God to heal you; take courage.” Then Tobit said to him, “My son Tobias wishes to go to Media. Can you accompany him and guide him? I will pay your wages, brother.” He answered, “I can go with him, and I know all the roads. I have often gone to Media, have crossed all its plains, and am familiar with its mountains and all of its roads.”

¹¹ Then Tobit^[h] said to him, “Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me, brother.” ¹² He replied, “Why do you need to know my tribe and lineage? Are you seeking an employee or a tribe and lineage?”^[i] But Tobit^[j] said, “I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is.” ¹³ He replied, “I am Azariah, the son of the elder Hananiah, one of your relatives.” ¹⁴ Then Tobit^[k] said to him, “You are very welcome, brother. Do not feel bitter toward me, brother, because I wanted to be sure about your family. It turns out that you are a kinsman and of good and noble lineage. For I knew Hananiah and Nathan, the two sons of the elder Shemeliah,^[l] and they used to go with me to Jerusalem and worship with me there; they were not led astray. Your kindred are good people; you are of good stock. Welcome!”^(D)

¹⁵ Then he added, “I will pay you a drachma a day as wages, as well as expenses for yourself and my son. So go with my son,^{(E) 16} and I will add something to your wages.” Raphael^[m] answered, “I will go with him, so do not fear. We shall leave in good health and return to you in good health because the way is safe.” ¹⁷ So Tobit^[n] said to him, “Blessings be upon you, brother.”

Then he called his son and said to him, “Make preparations for the journey, my son, and set out with your brother. May God in heaven bring you safely there and return you in good health to me, and may his angel, my son, accompany you both for your safety.”

Before he^[o] went out to start his journey, he kissed his father and mother. Tobit then said to him, “Have a safe journey.”^(F)

¹⁸ But his mother began to weep and said to Tobit, “Why is it that you have sent my son away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us?^{(G) 19} Do not heap money upon money, but let it be a ransom for our son. ²⁰ The life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us.” ²¹ Tobit^[p] said to her, “Do not worry; our son will leave in good health and return to us in good health. Your eyes will see him on the day when he returns to you in good health. Say no more! Do not fear for them, my sister,^{(H) 22} for a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health.”^(I) 6 ¹ So she stopped weeping.

Journey to Rages

The young man went out, and the angel went with him, ² and the dog came out with him and went along with them. So they both journeyed along, and when the first night overtook them they camped by the Tigris River.^{(J) 3} Then the young man went down to wash his feet in the Tigris River, and a large fish leaped up from the water and tried to swallow the young man’s foot, and he cried out. ⁴ But the angel said to the young man, “Catch hold of the fish and hang on to it!” So the young man grasped the fish and drew it up on the land. ⁵ Then the angel said to him, “Cut open the fish and take out its gall, heart, and liver. Keep them with you, but throw away the intestines. For its gall, heart, and liver are useful as medicine.” ⁶ So after cutting open the fish the young man gathered together the gall, heart, and liver; then he roasted and ate some of the fish and kept some to be salted for the journey.^[q]

The two continued on their way together until they were near Media.^{(K) 7} Then the young man questioned the angel and said to him, “Azariah, my brother, what medicinal value is there in the fish’s heart and liver and in the gall?” ⁸ He replied, “As for the fish’s heart and liver, you must burn them to make a smoke in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or evil spirit, and every affliction will flee away and never remain with that person any longer.^{(L) 9} And as for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes where white films have appeared on them; blow upon them, upon the white films, and the eyes^[r] will be healed.”^(M)

Raphael’s Instructions

¹⁰ When they entered Media and were already approaching Ecbatana,^{(N) 11} Raphael said to the young man, “Tobias, my brother.” “Here I am,” he answered. Then Raphael^[s] said to him, “We must stay this night in the home of Raguel. That man is your relative, and he has a daughter named Sarah.^{(O) 12} He has no male heir and no daughter except Sarah only, and you, as next of kin to her, have before all other men a hereditary claim on her. Also, it is right for you to inherit her father’s possessions. Moreover, the young woman is intelligent, brave, and very beautiful, and her father is a good man.”^{(P) 13} He continued, “You have every right to take her in marriage. So listen to me, brother; tonight I will speak to her father about the young woman, so that we may take her to be your bride. When we return from Rages^[t] we will celebrate her marriage. For I know that Raguel can by no means keep her from you or promise her to another man without incurring the penalty of death according to the decree of the book of Moses. Indeed, he knows that you, rather than any other man, are entitled to marry his daughter. So now listen to me, brother, and tonight we shall speak concerning the young woman and arrange her engagement to you. And when we return from Rages, we will take her and bring her back with us to your house.”^(Q)

¹⁴ Then Tobias said in answer to Raphael, “Azariah, my brother, I have heard that she already has been married to seven husbands and that they died in the bridal chamber. On the night when they went in to her, they would die. And I have heard some say that a demon kills them.^{[u](R) 15} It does not harm her, but it kills anyone who desires to approach her. So now, since I am the only son my father has, I am afraid that I may die and bring my father’s and mother’s lives down to their graves, grieving for me—and they have no other son to bury them.”^(S)

¹⁶ But Raphael^[v] said to him, “Do you not remember your father’s orders when he commanded you to take a wife from your father’s house? Now listen to me, brother, and say no more about this demon. Take her. I know that this very night she will be given to you in marriage.^{(T) 17} When you enter the bridal chamber, take some of the fish’s liver and heart and put them on the embers of the incense. An odor will be given off;^{(U) 18} the demon will smell it and flee and will never be seen near her any more. Now when you are about to go to bed with her, both of you must first stand up and pray, imploring the Lord of heaven that mercy and safety may be granted to you. Do not be afraid, for she has always been set apart for you. You will save her, and she will go with you. I know that you will have children by her, and they will be as brothers and sisters to you. Now say no more!” When Tobias heard the words of Raphael and learned that she was his sister, related through his father’s lineage, he loved her very much, and his heart was drawn to her.^(V)