(a) The books and parts of books from Tobit through 2 Maccabees are recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Russian Orthodox Churches. The book of the words of Tobit son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Aduel son of Gabael son of Raphael son of Raguel of the descendants of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali,

Tobit’s Youth and Virtuous Life

I, Tobit, walked in the ways of truth and righteousness all the days of my life. I performed many acts of charity for my kindred and my nation who had gone with me in exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians.

Tobit Becomes Blind

When the sun had set, I went and dug a grave and buried him.

Tobit’s Wife Earns Their Livelihood

At that time my wife Anna earned money at women’s work.

Tobit’s Prayer

Then with much grief and anguish of heart I wept, and with groaning I began to pray:

So Raphael was sent to heal both of them: Tobit by removing the white films from his eyes, so that he might see God’s light with his eyes, and Sarah, daughter of Raguel, by giving her in marriage to Tobias son of Tobit, and by setting her free from the wicked demon Asmodeus. For Tobias was entitled to have her before all others who had desired to marry her. At the same time that Tobit returned from the courtyard into his house, Sarah daughter of Raguel came down from her upper room.

Tobit Gives Instructions to His Son

That same day Tobit remembered the money that he had left in trust with Gabael at Rages in Media,

The Angel Raphael

Then Tobias answered his father Tobit, “I will do everything that you have commanded me, father,

Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, “He gave me his bond, and I gave him my bond. I 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.”

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.”

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 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.”

Then Tobit said to him, “Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me, brother.”

He replied, “Why do you need to know my tribe and lineage? Are you seeking an employee or a tribe and lineage?” But Tobit said, “I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is.”

Then Tobit 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, 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!”

So Tobit 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 went out to start his journey, he kissed his father and mother. Tobit then said to him, “Have a safe journey.”

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?

Tobit 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,

He said to his wife Edna, “How much this young man resembles my kinsman Tobit!”

She said to them, “Do you know our kinsman Tobit?” And they replied, “Yes, we know him.” Then she asked them, “Is he in good health?”

So Raphael with the four servants and two camels went to Rages in Media and stayed with Gabael. Raphael gave him the bond and informed him that Tobit’s son Tobias had married and was inviting him to the wedding celebration. So Gabael got up and counted out to him the money bags, with their seals intact, and they put them together.

In the morning they both got up early and went to the wedding celebration. When they came into Raguel’s house, they found Tobias reclining at table. He sprang up and greeted Gabael, who wept and blessed him with the words, “Good and noble son of a father good and noble, upright and generous! May the Lord grant the blessing of heaven to you and your wife and to your father and to the mother of your wife. Blessed be God, for I see in Tobias the very image of my cousin Tobit.”

Anxiety of the Parents

Now day by day Tobit kept counting how many days Tobias would need for going and for returning. And when the days had passed and his son did not appear,

But Tobit kept saying to her, “Be quiet and stop worrying, my sister; he is all right. Something must have happened to delay them. The man who went with him is trustworthy and is one of our own kin. Do not grieve for him, my sister; he will be here soon.”

But Raguel said to Tobias, “Stay, my son, stay with me; I will send messengers to your father Tobit, and they will inform him about you.”

Tobit’s Sight Restored

Raphael said to Tobias before he had approached his father, “I know that his eyes will be opened.