Tobit 5

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then Tobias answered his father, and said: I will do all things, father, which thou hast commanded me.	1 Then Tobiah replied to his father Tobit: "Everything that you have commanded me, father, I will do.
2 But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell; he knoweth me not, and I know not him: what token shall I give him? nor did I ever know the way which leadeth thither.	2 But how shall I be able to obtain the money from him, since he does not know me nor do I know him? What can I show him to make him recognize me and trust me, so that he will give me the money? I do not even know which roads to take for the journey into Media!"
3 Then his father answered him, and said: I have a note of his hand with me, which when thou shalt shew him, he will presently pay it.	3 Tobit answered his son Tobiah: "We exchanged signatures on a document written in duplicate; I divided it into two parts, and each of us kept one; his copy I put with the money. Think of it, twenty years have already passed since I deposited that money! So now, my son, find yourself a trustworthy man who will make the journey with you. We will, of course, give him a salary when you return; but get back that money from Gabael."
4 But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire: that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.	4 Tobiah went to look for someone acquainted with the roads who would travel with him to Media. As soon as he went out, he found the angel Raphael standing before him, though he did not know that this was an angel of God.
5 Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk.	5 Tobiah said to him, "Who are you, young man?" He replied "I am an Israelite, one of your kinsmen. I have come here to work." Tobiah said, "Do you know the way to Media?"
6 And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man?	6 The other replied: "Yes, I have been there many times. I know the place well and I know all the routes. I have often traveled to Media; I used to stay with our kinsman Gabael, who lives at Rages in Media. It is a good two days' travel from Ecbatana to Rages, for Rages is situated at the mountains, Ecbatana out on the plateau."
7 But he answered: Of the children of Israel. And Tobias said to him: Knowest thou the way that leadeth to the country of the Medes?	7 Tobiah said to him, "Wait for me, young man, till I go back and tell my father; for I need you to make the journey with me. I will, of course, pay you."
8 And he answered: I know it: and I have often walked through all the ways thereof, and I have abode with Gabelus our brother, who dwelleth at Rages a city of the Medes, which is situate in the mount of Ecbatana.	8 Raphael replied, "Very well, I will wait for you; but do not be long."
9 And Tobias said to him: Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.	9 Tobiah went back to tell his father Tobit what had happened. He said to him, "I have just found a man who is one of our own Israelite kinsmen!" Tobit said, "Call the man, so that I may find out what family and tribe he comes from, and whether he is trustworthy enough to travel with you, son." Tobiah went out to summon the man, saying, "Young man, my father would like to see you."
10 Then Tobias going in told all these things to his father. Upon which his father being in admiration, desired that he would come in unto him.	10 When Raphael entered the house, Tobit greeted him first. Raphael said, "Hearty greetings to you!" Tobit replied: "What joy is left for me any more? Here I am, a blind man who cannot see God's sunlight, but must remain in darkness, like the dead who no longer see the light! Though alive, I am among the dead. I can hear a man's voice, but I cannot see him." Raphael said, "Take courage! God has healing in store for you; so take courage!" Tobit then said: "My son Tobiah wants to go to Media. Can you go with him to show him the way? I will of course pay you, brother." Raphael answered: "Yes, I can go with him, for I know all the routes. I have often traveled to Media and crossed all its plains and mountains; so I know every road well."
11 So going in he saluted him, and said: Joy be to thee always.	11 Tobit asked, "Brother, tell me, please, what family and tribe are you from?"
12 And Tobias said: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?	12 Raphael said: "Why? Do you need a tribe and a family? Or are you looking for a hired man to travel with your son?" Tobit replied, "I wish to know truthfully whose son you are, brother, and what your name is."
13 And the young man said to him: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand.	13 Raphael answered, "I am Azariah, son of Hananiah the elder, one of your own kinsmen."
14 And Tobias said to him: Canst thou conduct my son to Gabelus at Rages, a city of the Medes? and when thou shalt return, I will pay thee thy hire.	14 Tobit exclaimed: "Welcome! God save you, brother! Do not be provoked with me, brother, for wanting to learn the truth about your family. So it turns out that you are a kinsman, and from a noble and good line! I knew Hananiah and Nathaniah, the two sons of Shemaiah the elder; with me they used to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where we would worship together. No, they did not stray from the right path; your kinsmen are good men. You are certainly of good lineage, and welcome!"
15 And the angel said to him: I will conduct him thither, and bring him back to thee.	15 Then he added: "For each day you are away I will give you the normal wages, plus expenses for you and for my son. If you go with my son,
16 And Tobias said to him: I pray thee, tell me, of what family, or what tribe art thou?	16 I will even add a bonus to your wages!" Raphael replied: "I will go with him; have no fear. In good health we shall leave you, and in good health we shall return to you, for the way is safe."
17 And Raphael the angel answered: Dost thou seek the family of him thou hirest, or the hired servant himself to go with thy son?	17 Tobit said, "God bless you, brother." Then he called his son and said to him: "My son, prepare whatever you need for the journey, and set out with your kinsman. May God in heaven protect you on the way and bring you back to me safe and sound; and may his angel accompany you for safety, my son." Before setting out on his journey, Tobiah kissed his father and mother. Tobit said to him, "Have a safe journey."
18 But lest I should make thee uneasy, I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias.	18 But his mother began to weep. She said to Tobit: "Why have you decided to send my child away? Is he not the staff to which we cling, ever there with us in all that we do?
19 And Tobias answered: Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family.	19 I hope more money is not your chief concern! Rather let it be a ransom for our son!
20 And the angel said to him: I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.	20 What the Lord has given us to live on is certainly enough for us."
21 And Tobias answering, said: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you.	21 Tobit reassured her: "Have no such thought. Our son will leave in good health and come back to us in good health. Your own eyes will see the day when he returns to you safe and sound.
22 Then all things being ready, that were to be carried in their journey, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell, and they set out both together.	22 So, no such thought; do not worry about them, my love. For a good angel will go with him, his journey will be successful, and he will return unharmed."
23 And when they were departed, his mother began to weep, and to say: Thou hast taken the staff of our old age, and sent him away from us.
24 I wish the money for which thou hast sent him, had never been.
25 For poverty was sufficient for us, that we might account it as riches, that we saw our son.
26 And Tobias said to her: Weep not, our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him.
27 For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him, so that he shall return to us with joy.
28 At these words his mother ceased weeping, and held her peace.