Tobit 5

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Tobias then replied to his father Tobit, 'Father, I shal do everything you have told me.	1 Then Tobias responded to his father, and he said: “I will do everything just as you have instructed me, father.
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 I do not know how to obtain this money. He does not know me, and I do not know him. What proof shall I give to him? And I do not know any part of the way, which leads to that place.”
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 he said: “Indeed, I have a written agreement about that in my possession, which, when you show it to him, he will immediately repay 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 out now, and inquire after some faithful man, who would go with you to keep you safe in return for his wages, so that you may receive it while I am still alive.”
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, departing, found a splendid young man, standing girded and seemingly ready for travel.
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 greeted him, and he said, “Where are you from, 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 And so he answered, “From the sons of Israel.” And Tobias said to him, “Do you know the way that leads to the region 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 frequently walked through all its paths, and I stayed with Gabael, our brother, who lives in Rages, a city of the Medes, which is situated at 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 Tobias said to him, “I implore you, wait here for me, until 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, entering, revealed all these things to his father. Upon which, his father, in admiration, asked that he would enter to him.
11 Tobit said, 'Brother, what family and what tribe do you belong to? Wil you tel me, brother?'	11 And so, entering, he greeted him, and he said, “May gladness be always with you.”
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 Tobit said, “What kind of gladness will be for me, since I sit in darkness and do not see 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 steadfast in soul. Your cure from God is near.”
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 so Tobit said to him, “Are you able to lead my son to Gabael in Rages, a city of the Medes? And when you return, I will pay you your wages.”
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 lead him, and I will bring him back to you.”
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 Tobit responded to him, “I ask you to tell me: which family or which tribe are you from?”
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 said, “Do you seek the family of the one you hire, or else the hired hand himself, to go with your 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 perhaps I cause you to worry: I am Azariah, the son of Hananiah the great.”
19 Surely money is not the only thing that matters? Surely it is not as precious as our child?	19 And Tobit responded, “You are from a great family. But I ask you, do not be angry that I wanted to know your family.”
20 The way of life God had already given us was good enough.'	20 But the Angel said to him, “I will lead your son safely, and I will bring him back safely to you.”
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 so Tobit, answering, said, “May you walk well, and may God be with you on your journey, and may 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, when all things were ready which were to be carried on their journey, Tobias said farewell to his father, and to his mother, and the two of them walked together.
	23 And when they had set out, his mother began to weep, and to say: “You have taken the staff of our old age, and you have sent him away from us.
	24 I wish that the money, for which you sent him, had never been.
	25 For our poverty has been sufficient for us, so that we might count it as riches that we saw our son.”
	26 And Tobit said to her: “Do not weep. Our son will arrive safely, and he will return safely to us, and your eyes shall see him.
	27 For I believe that the good Angel of God accompanies him and that he orders all things well which occur around him, such that he will be returned to us with gladness.”
	28 At these words, his mother ceased weeping, and she was silent.