Tobit 12

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 When the wedding celebaration came to an end, Tobit called his son Tobiah and said to him, "Son, see to it that you give what is due to the man who made the journey with you; give him a bonus too."	1 Then Tobit called his son to him, and he said to him, “What are we able to give to this holy man, who accompanied you?”
2 Tobiah said: "Father, how much shall I pay him? It would not hurt me at all to give him half of all the wealth he brought back with me.	2 Tobias, answering, said to his father: “Father, what wages shall we give him? And what could be worthy of his benefits?
3 He led me back safe and sound; he cured my wife; he brought the money back with me; and he cured you. How much of a bonus should I give him?"	3 He led me and he brought me back safely. He received the money from Gabael. He caused me to have my wife. And he confined the demon away from her. He caused joy to her parents. Myself, he rescued from being devoured by the fish. As for you, he also caused you to see the light of heaven. And so, we have been filled with all good things through him. What could we possibly give to him that would be worthy of these things?
4 Tobit answered, "It is only fair, son, that he should receive half of all that he brought back."	4 But I implore you, my father, to ask him if he would perhaps deign to take for himself half of all the things that have been brought.”
5 So Tobiah called Raphael and said, "Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace."	5 And calling him, the father especially, and the son, they took him aside. And they began to petition him, so that he would deign to accept ownership of one half part of all things that they had brought.
6 Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: "Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising him.	6 Then he said to them privately: “Bless the God of heaven, and confess to him in the sight of all who live, for he has acted in his mercy toward you.
7 A king's secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be declared and made known. Praise them with due honor. Do good, and evil will not find its way to you.	7 For it is good to conceal the secret of a king, just as it is also honorable to reveal and to confess the works of God.
8 Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than abundance with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold;	8 Prayer with fasting is good, and almsgiving is better than hiding away gold in storage.
9 for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life;	9 For almsgiving delivers from death, and the same is what purges sins and makes one able to find mercy and everlasting life.
10 but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.	10 But those who commit sin and iniquity are enemies to their own soul.
11 "I will now tell you the whole truth; I will conceal nothing at all from you. I have already said to you, 'A king's secret it is prudent to keep, but the works of God are to be made known with due honor.'	11 Therefore, I reveal the truth to you, and I will not hide the explanation from you.
12 I can now tell you that when you, Tobit, and Sarah prayed, it was I who presented and read the record of your prayer before the Glory of the Lord; and I did the same thing when you used to bury the dead.	12 When you prayed with tears, and buried the dead, and left behind your dinner, and hid the dead by day in your house, and buried them by night: I offered your prayer to the Lord.
13 When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead,	13 And because you were acceptable to God, it was necessary for you to be tested by trials.
14 I was sent to put you to the test. At the same time, however, God commissioned me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah.	14 And now, the Lord has sent me to cure you, and to free Sarah, your son’s wife, from the demon.
15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord."	15 For I am the Angel Raphael, one of seven, who stand before the Lord.”
16 Stricken with fear, the two men fell to the ground.	16 And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear, they fell upon the ground on their face.
17 But Raphael said to them: "No need to fear; you are safe. Thank God now and forever.	17 And the Angel said to them: “Peace be to you. Fear not.
18 As for me, when I came to you it was not out of any favor on my part, but because it was God's will. So continue to thank him every day; praise him with song.	18 For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God. Bless him, and sing to him.
19 Even though you watched me eat and drink. I did not really do so; what you were seeing was a vision.	19 Indeed, I seemed to eat and drink with you, but I make use of an invisible food and drink, which cannot be seen by men.
20 So now get up from the ground and praise God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me; write down all these things that have happened to you."	20 Therefore, it is time that I return to him who sent me. But as for you, bless God, and describe all his wonders.”
21 When Raphael ascended they rose to their feet and could no longer see him.	21 And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they were not able to see him any longer.
22 They kept thanking God and singing his praises; and they continued to acknowledge these marvelous deeds which he had done when the angel of God appeared to them.	22 Then, lying prostrate for three hours upon their face, they blessed God. And rising up, they described all his wonders.