So Tobias went out, called Raphael, and said to him, “Young man, my father is calling for you.” Raphael went in, and Tobit was the first to greet him. Raphael said, “May joy be yours!” Tobit responded, “What joy can there still be for me? My eyes are useless, and I can’t see the light of heaven. Instead, I lie in darkness just like the dead who no longer see the light. I live among the dead, hearing the sound of human beings without seeing them.” Raphael said to him, “Take heart! The time is near when God will heal you. Take heart!” Then Tobit said to him, “My son Tobias wants to go to Media. Brother, can you accompany and guide him? I will pay your wages.” Raphael said to him, “I’m able to go with him, for I know all the roads and have often traveled to Media and have passed through all its plains. So I’m familiar with its mountains and all its roads.”

Tobias and Raphael arrive at Raguel’s house

When they entered Ecbatana, Tobias said to him, “Brother Azariah, bring me at once to Raguel our relative.” So Azariah took him to Raguel’s house. They found him sitting at the gate of the courtyard and greeted him first. Raguel said to them, “Many greetings, brothers. You have come generously and in health!” Raguel brought them into his house

They got up early in the morning together and went to the wedding feast. They came to Raguel’s place and found Tobias reclining at a table. Tobias jumped up and greeted him, and Gabael wept and blessed him, saying, “Good and generous man, son of a good and generous man who is just and charitable! May the Lord grant a heavenly blessing to you and your wife, and to your wife’s father and mother. May God be praised, for I have now seen in Tobias the image of Tobit my cousin!”

throughout Artaxerxes’ entire kingdom, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).

Addition E

Artaxerxes’ second decree

Written below is a copy of the letter: The Great King Artaxerxes writes to the governors in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to those who are loyal to us. Greetings! Many people who are greatly honored, owing to the immense generosity of their benefactors, become overly ambitious. Not only do they seek to harm our subjects, but they even attempt to scheme against their own benefactors since they are unable to manage their pride. Not only do they fail to exhibit gratitude among people, but encouraged by the boasts of people who know nothing of goodness, they even suppose they will escape the judgment of the God who sees all. Often, many people in positions of authority become accessories to the shedding of innocent blood because of the influence of friends they trusted to manage their affairs. They suffer terrible misfortunes as a result of the cruel lies of those who take advantage of the innocent goodwill of rulers. Now this can be seen, not so much from older accounts that we have inherited but from what is right before your eyes. Consider the ungodly things that have been done as a result of the corruption of those not worthy to hold power. But looking to the future, we will make the kingdom peaceful and secure for all people, adopting changes and settling those matters that come to our attention with a fair reply. As for Haman, Hammedatha’s son, a Macedonian, he was not Persian, and was far removed from us in kindness. Yet we warmly welcomed him. He gained the goodwill that we have for every nation to such an extent that he was publicly proclaimed our father. All worshipped him as the person second only to the royal throne. But when he could no longer hold his pride in check, he made it his business to rob us of our leadership and our life. With lies and tricks he called for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, and Esther, our innocent partner in the kingdom, together with their whole nation. He thought that, by these methods, he could render us helpless and turn the Persian Empire over to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews, whom this accursed man wanted to destroy, are not criminals but are governed by just laws. They are children of the most high, most great, living God, who has guided the kingdom on the best course for us and for our ancestors. You would do well, therefore, not to act on the letters sent by Haman, Hammedatha’s son. Haman, who devised these things, has been impaled at the gates of Susa together with his entire household. The God who holds power over all things swiftly passed this fair judgment on him. And you should publish a copy of this letter in every place for all to see, to allow the Jews to live by their own customs, and to assist them so that they can defend themselves against their attackers in the time of distress, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar. God, who rules over all things, has made this a joyous day for his chosen line rather than one of destruction. As for you, celebrate it with feasting as a special holiday among your festivals so that it will be for us, and for all Persians of goodwill, a memorial of deliverance, both now and in the future. But for those who plot against us, it will be a memorial of destruction. Any city or region, without exception, that does not act accordingly will be completely destroyed by fire and spear. This city will be made uninhabitable not only to humans but also to wild animals and birds for all time.

Judgment will come on those who greeted people who weren’t like them as enemies.

of silence when people greet you, of looking at a female escort,

They encountered the Nabateans, who greeted them in peace and related all that had happened to their people in Gilead:

So he came to Judas, and they greeted each other peaceably. But the enemy was preparing to kidnap Judas.

Nicanor threatens the temple

After these events, Nicanor went up to Mount Zion. Some priests from the sanctuary and some of the elders of the people came out to greet him peacefully. They pointed out to him the entirely burned offering that was being offered on behalf of the king.

King Alexander to his brother Jonathan. Greetings!

So he sent a message to them: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews. Greetings!

Jonathan met the king at Joppa with great ceremony. They greeted each other and spent the night there.

King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan and to the nation of the Jews. Greetings!

Greetings from King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes.

The high priest Jonathan, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people. To their brothers the Spartans. Greetings!

We have told them to go to you as well and greet you and deliver to you this letter from us concerning the renewal of our family ties.

King Arius of the Spartans. To the high priest Onias. Greetings!

King Demetrius. To Simon, the high priest and advisor of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews. Greetings!

This is a copy of the letter that the Spartans sent: The rulers of the Spartans, with the city. To the high priest Simon, the elders, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people, our brothers and sisters. Greetings!

King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and ruler, and to the nation of the Jews. Greetings!

Lucius, consul of the Romans. To King Ptolemy. Greetings!

The first letter

To our Jewish brothers and sisters in Egypt. Greetings! Your Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and in the country of Judea wish you prosperous peace.

in the year 188.

The second letter

The citizens of Jerusalem and Judea, the council of elders, and Judas send greetings and wishes of good health to Aristobulus, teacher of King Ptolemy and a member of the family of the anointed priests, and to the Jews in Egypt.

To the worthy Jewish citizens, from the king and governor Antiochus. Greetings and health and prosperity.

Lysias to the Jewish community. Greetings! John and Absalom, the men you sent, gave me the administrative document copied below and made a request concerning its contents.