Tobit 5

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Tobias then replied to his father Tobit, 'Father, I shal do everything you have told me.	1 Then Tobias answered his father, and said: I will do all things, father, which thou hast commanded me.
2 But how am I to recover the silver from him? He does not know me, nor I him. What token am I to givehim for him to believe me and hand the silver over to me? And besides, I do not know what roads to take for thisjourney into Media.'	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.
3 Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, 'Each of us set his signature to a note which I cut in two, so thateach could keep half of it. I took one piece, and put the other with the silver. To think it was twenty years ago Ileft this silver in his keeping! And now, my child, find a trustworthy travel ing companion -- we shall pay him forhis time until you arrive back -- and then go and col ect the silver from Gabael.'	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.
4 Tobias went out to look for a man who knew the way to go with him to Media. Outside he foundRaphael the angel standing facing him, though he did not guess he was an angel of God.	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.
5 He said, 'Where do you come from, friend?' The angel replied, 'I am one of your brother Israelites; Ihave come to these parts to look for work.' Tobias asked, 'Do you know the road to Media?'	5 Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk.
6 The other replied, 'Certainly I do, I have been there many times; I have knowledge and experience of althe ways. I have often been to Media and stayed with Gabael one of our kinsmen who lives at Rhages in Media.It usually takes two ful days to get from Ecbatana to Rhages; Rhages lies in the mountains, and Ecbatana is inthe middle of the plain.'	6 And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man?
7 Tobias said, 'Wait for me, friend, while I go and tel my father; I need you to come with me; I shal payyou for your time.'	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?
8 The other replied, 'Good, I shal wait; but do not be long.'	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.
9 Tobias went in and told his father that he had found one of their brother Israelites. And the father said,'Fetch him in; I want to find out about his family and tribe. I must see if he is going to be a reliable companion foryou, my child.' So Tobias went out and cal ed him, 'Friend,' he said, 'my father wants you.'	9 And Tobias said to him: Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.
10 The angel came into the house; Tobit greeted him, and the other answered, wishing him happiness inplenty. Tobit replied, 'Can I ever be happy again? I am a blind man; I no longer see the light of heaven; I amsunk in darkness like the dead who see the light no more. I am a man buried alive; I hear people speak butcannot see them.' The angel said, 'Take comfort; before long God wil heal you. Take comfort.' Tobit said, 'Myson Tobias wishes to go to Media. Wil you join him as his guide? Brother, I wil pay you.' He replied, 'I am wil ingto go with him; I know al the ways; I have often been to Media, I have crossed all its plains and mountains, and Iknow al its roads.'	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.
11 Tobit said, 'Brother, what family and what tribe do you belong to? Wil you tel me, brother?'	11 So going in he saluted him, and said: Joy be to thee always.
12 'What does my tribe matter to you?' the angel said. Tobit said, 'I want to be quite sure whose son youare and what your name is.'	12 And Tobias said: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?
13 The angel said, 'I am Azarias, son of the great Ananias, one of your kinsmen.'	13 And the young man said to him: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand.
14 'Welcome and greetings, brother! Do not be offended at my wanting to know the name of your family; Ifind you are my kinsman of a good and honourable line. I know Ananias and Nathan, the two sons of the greatShemaiah. They used to go to Jerusalem with me; we have worshipped together there and they have neverstrayed from the right path. Your brothers are worthy men; you come of good stock; welcome.'	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.
15 He went on, 'I engage you at a drachma a day, with the same expenses as my own son's. Completethe journey with my son	15 And the angel said to him: I will conduct him thither, and bring him back to thee.
16 and I shall go beyond the agreed wage.' The angel replied, 'I shall complete the journey with him. Donot be afraid. On the journey outward al wil be wel ; on the journey back all wil be wel ; the road is safe.'	16 And Tobias said to him: I pray thee, tell me, of what family, or what tribe art thou?
17 Tobit said, 'Blessings on you, brother!' Then he turned to his son. 'My child', he said, 'prepare what youneed for the journey, and set off with your brother. May God in heaven protect you abroad and bring you bothback to me safe and sound! May his angel go with you and protect you, my child!' Tobias left the house to setout and kissed his father and mother. Tobit said, 'A happy journey!'	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?
18 His mother burst into tears and said to Tobit, 'Why must you send my child away? Is he not the staff ofour hands, as he goes about before us?	18 But lest I should make thee uneasy, I am Azarias the son of the great Ananias.
19 Surely money is not the only thing that matters? Surely it is not as precious as our child?	19 And Tobias answered: Thou art of a great family. But I pray thee be not angry that I desired to know thy family.
20 The way of life God had already given us was good enough.'	20 And the angel said to him: I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.
21 He said, 'Do not think such thoughts. Going away and coming back, all wil be wel with our child. Youwil see for yourself when he comes back safe and sound! Do not think such thoughts; do not worry on theiraccount, my sister.	21 And Tobias answering, said: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you.
22 A good angel wil go with him; he will have a good journey and come back to us wel and happy.'	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.
	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.