Day 130: Tobit 10 - 14

Chapter 10

1: Meanwhile, day by day, Tobit was keeping track of the time Tobias would need to go and to return. When the number of days was reached and his son did not appear,

2: he said, “I wonder what has happened. Perhaps he has been detained there; or perhaps Gabael is dead, and there is no one to give him the money.”

3: And he began to worry.

4: His wife Anna said, “My son has perished and is no longer among the living!” And she began to weep aloud and to wail over her son:

5: “Alas, my child, light of my eyes, that I let you make this journey!”

6: But Tobit kept telling her: “Hush, do not think about it, my love; he is safe! Probably they have to take care of some unexpected business there. The man who is traveling with him is trustworthy, and is one of our own kinsmen. So do not worry over him, my love. He will be here soon.”

7: But she retorted, “Stop it, and do not lie to me! My child has perished!” She would go out and keep watch all day at the road her son had taken, and she ate nothing. At sunset she would go back home to wail and cry the whole night through, getting no sleep at all.Now at the end of the fourteen-day wedding celebration which Raguel had sworn to hold for his daughter, Tobias went to him and said: “Please let me go, for I know that my father and mother do not believe they will ever see me again. So I beg you, father, let me go back to my father. I have already told you how I left him.”

8: Raguel said to Tobias: “Stay, my child, stay with me. I am sending messengers to your father Tobit, and they will give him news of you.”

9: But Tobias insisted, “No, I beg you to let me go back to my father.”

10: Raguel then promptly handed over to Tobias Sarah his wife, together with half of all his property: male and female slaves, oxen and sheep, asses and camels, clothing, money, and household goods.

11: Bidding them farewell, he let them go. He embraced Tobias and said to him: “Good-bye, my son. Have a safe journey. May the Lord of heaven grant prosperity to you and to your wife Sarah. And may I see children of yours before I die!”

12: Then he kissed his daughter Sarah and said to her: “My daughter, honor your father-in-law and your mother-in-law, because from now on they are as much your parents as the ones who brought you into the world. Go in peace, my daughter; let me hear good reports about you as long as I live.” Finally he said good-bye to them and sent them away.

13: Then Edna said to Tobias: “My child and beloved kinsman, may the Lord bring you back safely, and may I live long enough to see children of you and of my daughter Sarah before I die. Before the Lord, I entrust my daughter to your care. Never cause her grief at any time in your life. Go in peace, my child. From now on I am your mother, and Sarah is your beloved. May all of us be prosperous all the days of our lives.” She kissed them both and sent them away in peace.

14: When Tobias left Raguel, he was full of happiness and joy, and he blessed the Lord of heaven and earth, the King of all, for making his journey so successful. Finally he said good-bye to Raguel and his wife Edna, and added, “May I honor you all the days of my life!”

Chapter 11

1: Then they left and began their return journey. When they were near Kaserin, just before Nineveh,

2: Raphael said: “You know how we left your father.

3: Let us hurry on ahead of your wife to prepare the house while the rest of the party are still on the way.”

4: So they both went on ahead and Raphael said to Tobias, “Have the gall in your hand!” And the dog ran along behind them.

5: Meanwhile, Anna sat watching the road by which her son was to come.

6: When she saw him coming, she exclaimed to his father, “Tobit, your son is coming, and the man who traveled with him!”

7: Raphael said to Tobias before he reached his father: “I am certain that his eyes will be opened.

8: Smear the fish gall on them. This medicine will make the cataracts shrink and peel off from his eyes; then your father will again be able to see the light of day.”

9: Then Anna ran up to her son, threw her arms around him, and said to him, “Now that I have seen you again, son, I am ready to die!” And she sobbed aloud.

10: Tobit got up and stumbled out through the courtyard gate. Tobias went up to him

11: with the fish gall in his hand, and holding him firmly, blew into his eyes. “Courage, father,” he said.

12: Next he smeared the medicine on his eyes,

13: and it made them smart. Then, beginning at the corners of Tobit’s eyes, Tobias used both hands to peel off the cataracts. When Tobit saw his son, he threw his arms around him

14: and wept. He exclaimed, “I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!” Then he said: “Blessed be God, and praised be his great name, and blessed be all his holy angels. May his holy name be praised throughout all the ages,

15: Because it was he who scourged me, and it is he who has had mercy on me. Behold, I now see my son Tobias!” Then Tobit went back in, rejoicing and praising God with full voice. Tobias told his father that his journey had been a success; that he had brought back the money; and that he had married Raguel’s daughter Sarah, who would arrive shortly, for she was approaching the gate of Nineveh. ‘

16: Rejoicing and praising God, Tobit went out to the gate of Nineveh to meet his daughter-in-law. When the people of Nineveh saw him walking along briskly, with no one leading him by the hand, they were amazed.

17: Before them all Tobit proclaimed how God had mercifully restored sight to his eyes. When Tobit reached Sarah, the wife of his son Tobias, he greeted her: “Welcome, my daughter! Blessed be your God for bringing you to us, daughter! Blessed are your father and your mother. Blessed is my son Tobias, and blessed are you, daughter! Welcome to your home with blessing and joy. Come in, daughter!” That day there was joy for all the Jews who lived in Nineveh.

18: Ahikar and his nephew Nadab also came to rejoice with Tobit. They celebrated Tobias’s wedding feast for seven happy days, and he received many gifts.

Chapter 12

1:  When the wedding celebration came to an end, Tobit called his son Tobias 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.”

2: Tobias 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.

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?”

4: Tobit answered, “It is only fair, son, that he should receive half of all that he brought back.”

5: So Tobias called Raphael and said, “Take as your wages half of all that you have brought back, and go in peace.”

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.

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.

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;

9: for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life;

10: but those habitually guilty of sin are their own worst enemies.

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.’

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.

13: When you did not hesitate to get up and leave your dinner in order to go and bury the dead,

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.

15: I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”

16: Stricken with fear, the two men fell to the ground.

17: But Raphael said to them: “No need to fear; you are safe. Thank God now and forever.

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.

19: Even though you watched me eat and drink, I did not really do so; what you were seeing was a vision.

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.”

21: When Raphael ascended they rose to their feet and could no longer see him.

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.

Tobith – Chapter 13

1: Then Tobit composed this joyful prayer: Blessed be God who lives forever, because his kingdom lasts for all ages.

2: For he scourges and then has mercy; he casts down to the depths of the nether world, and he brings up from the great abyss. No one can escape his hand.

3: Praise him, you Israelites, before the Gentiles, for though he has scattered you among them,

4: he has shown you his greatness even there. Exalt him before every living being, because he is the Lord our God, our Father and God forever.

5: He scourged you for your iniquities, but will again have mercy on you all. He will gather you from all the Gentiles among whom you have been scattered.

6: When you turn back to him with all your heart, to do what is right before him, Then he will turn back to you, and no longer hide his face from you. So now consider what he has done for you, and praise him with full voice. Bless the Lord of righteousness, and exalt the King of the ages. In the land of my exile I praise him, and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation. “Turn back, you sinners! do the right before him: perhaps he may look with favor upon you and show you mercy.

7: “As for me, I exalt my God, and my spirit rejoices in the King of heaven.

8: Let all men speak of his majesty, and sing his praises in Jerusalem.”

9: O Jerusalem, holy city, he scourged you for the works of your hands, but will again pity the children of the righteous.

10: Praise the Lord for his goodness, and bless the King of the ages, so that his tent may be rebuilt in you with joy. May he gladden within you all who were captives; all who were ravaged may he cherish within you for all generations to come.

11: A bright light will shine to all parts of the earth; many nations shall come to you from afar, And the inhabitants of all the limits of the earth, drawn to you by the name of the Lord God, Bearing in their hands their gifts for the King of heaven. Every generation shall give joyful praise in you, and shall call you the chosen one, through all ages forever.

12: Accursed are all who speak a harsh word against you; accursed are all who destroy you and pull down your walls, And all who overthrow your towers and set fire to your homes; but forever blessed are all those who build you up.

13: Go, then, rejoice over the children of the righteous, who shall all be gathered together and shall bless the Lord of the ages.

14: Happy are those who love you, and happy those who rejoice in your prosperity. Happy are all the men who shall grieve over you, over all your chastisements, For they shall rejoice in you as they behold all your joy forever.

15: My spirit blesses the Lord, the great King;

16: Jerusalem shall be rebuilt as his home forever. Happy for me if a remnant of my offspring survive to see your glory and to praise the King of heaven! The gates of Jerusalem shall be built with sapphire and emerald, and all your walls with precious stones. The towers of Jerusalem shall be built with gold, and their battlements with pure gold.

17: The streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with rubies and stones of Ophir;

18: The gates of Jerusalem shall sing hymns of gladness, and all her houses shall cry out, “Alleluia! “Blessed be God who has raised you up! may he be blessed for all ages!” For in you they shall praise his holy name forever. The end of Tobit’s hymn of praise.

Chapter 14

1: Tobit died peacefully at the age of a hundred and twelve, and received an honorable burial in Nineveh.

2: He was sixty-two years old when he lost his eyesight, and after he recovered it he lived in prosperity, giving alms and continually blessing God and praising the divine Majesty.
3: Just before he died, he called his son Tobias and Tobias’s seven sons, and gave him this command: “Son, take your children
4: and flee into Media, for I believe God’s word which was spoken by Nahum against Nineveh. It shall all happen, and shall overtake Assyria and Nineveh; indeed, whatever was said by Israel’s prophets, whom God commissioned, shall occur. Not one of all the oracles shall remain unfulfilled, but everything shall take place in the time appointed for it. So it will be safer in Media than in Assyria or Babylon. For I know and believe that whatever God has spoken will be accomplished. It shall happen, and not a single word of the prophecies shall prove false. “As for our kinsmen who dwell in Israel, they shall all be scattered and led away into exile from the Good Land. The entire country of Israel shall become desolate; even Samaria and Jerusalem shall become desolate! God’s temple there shall be burnt to the ground and shall be desolate for a while.
5: But God will again have mercy on them and bring them back to the land of Israel. They shall rebuild the temple, but it will not be like the first one, until the era when the appointed times shall be completed. Afterward all of them shall return from their exile, and they shall rebuild Jerusalem with splendor. In her the temple of God shall also be rebuilt; yes, it will be rebuilt for all generations to come, just as the prophets of Israel said of her.
6: All the nations of the world shall be converted and shall offer God true worship; all shall abandon their idols which have deceitfully led them into error,
7: and shall bless the God of the ages in righteousness. Because all the Israelites who are to be saved in those days will truly be mindful of God, they shall be gathered together and go to Jerusalem; in security shall they dwell forever in the land of Abraham, which will be given over to them. Those who sincerely love God shall rejoice, but those who become guilty of sin shall completely disappear from the land.
8: “Now, as for you, my son, depart from Nineveh; do not remain here.
9: “Now, children, I give you this command: serve God faithfully and do what is right before him; you must tell your children to do what is upright and to give alms, to be mindful of God and at all times to bless his name sincerely and with all their strength.
10: The day you bury your mother next to me, do not even stay overnight within the confines of the city. For I see that people here shamelessly commit all sorts of wickedness and treachery. Think, my son, of all that Nadab did to Ahiqar, the very one who brought him up: Ahiqar went down alive into the earth! Yet God made Nadab’s disgraceful crime rebound against him. Ahiqar came out again into the light, but Nadab went into the everlasting darkness, for he had tried to kill Ahiqar. Because Ahiqar had given alms to me, he escaped from the deadly trap Nadab had set for him. But Nadab himself fell into the deadly trap, and it destroyed him.
11: So, my children, note well what almsgiving does, and also what wickedness does–it kills! But now my spirit is about to leave me.”
12: They placed him on his bed and he died; and he received an honorable burial. When Tobias’s mother died, he buried her next to his father. He then departed with his wife and children for Media, where he settled in Ecbatana with his father-in-law Raguel.
13: He took respectful care of his aging father-in-law and mother-in-law; and he buried them at Ecbatana in Media. Then he inherited Raguel’s estate as well as that of his father Tobit.
14: He died at the venerable age of a hundred and seventeen.
15: But before he died, he heard of the destruction of Nineveh and saw its effects. He witnessed the exile of the city’s inhabitants when Cyaxares, king of Media, led them captive into Media. Tobias praised God for all that he had done against the citizens of Nineveh and Assyria. Before dying he rejoiced over Nineveh’s destruction, and he blessed the Lord God forever and ever. Amen.

Day 129: Tobit 5 - 9

Chapter 5

1: Then Tobias answered his father Tobit, ‘I will do everything that you have commanded me, father; 

2: but how can I obtain the money from him, since he does not know me and I do not know him? What evidence  am I to give him so that he will recognize and trust me, and give me the money? Also, I do not know the roads to Media, or how to get there.’ 

3: 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.’

4: So Tobias went out to look for a man to go with him to Media, someone who was acquainted with the way. He went out and found the angel Raphael standing in front of him; but he did not perceive that he was an angel of God. 

5: Tobias  said to him, ‘Where do you come from, young man?’ ‘From your kindred, the Israelites,’ he replied, ‘and I have come here to work.’ Then Tobias said to him, ‘Do you know the way to go to Media?’ 

6:‘Yes,’ he replied, ‘I have been there many times; I am acquainted with it and know all the roads. I have often travelled to Media, and stayed with our kinsman Gabael who lives in Rages of Media. It is a journey of two days from Ecbatana to Rages; for it lies in a mountainous area, while Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.’ 

7: Then Tobias said to him, ‘Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father; for I do need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages.’ 

8: He replied, ‘All right, I will wait; but do not take too long.’

9: 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, my son, so that I may learn about his family and to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you.’

10: 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, ‘Joyous greetings to you!’ But Tobit retorted, ‘What joy is left for me anymore? 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 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, for I have often gone to Media and have crossed all its plains, and I am familiar with its mountains and all of its roads.’

11: Then Tobit said to him, ‘Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me, brother.’

12: He replied, ‘Why do you need to know my tribe?’ But Tobit said, ‘I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is.’ 

13: He replied, ‘I am Azariah, the son of the great Hananiah, one of your relatives.’ 

14: Then Tobit said to him, ‘Welcome! God save you, brother. Do not feel bitter towards me, brother, because I wanted to be sure about your ancestry. It turns out that you are a kinsman, and of good and noble lineage. For I knew Hananiah and Nathan, the two sons of Shemeliah, and they used to go with me to Jerusalem and worshipped with me there, and were not led astray. Your kindred are good people; you come of good stock. Hearty welcome!

15: Then he added, ‘I will pay you a drachma a day as wages, as well as expenses for yourself and my son. So go with my son, 

16: and I will add something to your wages.’ Raphael answered, ‘I will go with him; so do not fear. We shall leave in good health and return to you in good health, because the way is safe.’ 

17: So Tobit said to him, ‘Blessings be upon you, brother.’ Then he called his son and said to him, ‘Son, prepare supplies for the journey 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.’

18: But his mother began to weep, and said to Tobit, ‘Why is it that you have sent my child away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us? 

19: Do not heap money upon money, but let it be a ransom for our child. -

20: For the life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us.’ 

21: Tobit said to her, ‘Do not worry; our child 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. 

22: For a good angel will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health.’

Chapter 6

1: So she stopped weeping. The young man went out and the angel went with him; 

2: and the dog came out with him and went along with them. So they both journeyed along, and when the first night overtook them they camped by the Tigris river. 

3: Then the young man went down to wash his feet in the Tigris river. Suddenly a large fish leapt up from the water and tried to swallow the young man’s foot, and he cried out. 

4: But the angel said to the young man, ‘Catch hold of the fish and hang on to it!’ So the young man grasped the fish and drew it up on the land. 

5: Then the angel said to him, ‘Cut open the fish and take out its gall, heart, and liver. Keep them with you, but throw away the intestines. For its gall, heart, and liver are useful as medicine.’ 

6: So after cutting open the fish the young man gathered together the gall, heart, and liver; then he roasted and ate some of the fish, and kept some to be salted.The two continued on their way together until they were near Media.

7: Then the young man questioned the angel and said to him, ‘Brother Azariah, what medicinal value is there in the fish’s heart and liver, and in the gall?’ 

8: He replied, ‘As for the fish’s heart and liver, you must burn them to make a smoke in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or evil spirit, and every affliction will flee away and never remain with that person any longer. 

9: And as for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes where white films have appeared on them; blow upon them, upon the white films, and the eyes will be healed.’

10: When he entered Media and already was approaching Ecbatana,

11: Raphael said to the young man, ‘Brother Tobias.’ ‘Here I am,’ he answered. Then Raphael said to him, ‘We must stay this night in the home of Raguel. He is your relative, and he has a daughter named Sarah. 

12: He has no male heir and no daughter except Sarah only, and you, as next of kin to her, have before all other men a hereditary claim on her. Also it is right for you to inherit her father’s possessions. Moreover, the girl is sensible, brave, and very beautiful, and her father is a good man.’ 

13: He continued, ‘You have every right to take her in marriage. So listen to me, brother; tonight I will speak to her father about the girl, so that we may take her to be your bride. When we return from Rages we will celebrate her marriage. For I know that Raguel can by no means keep her from you or promise her to another man without incurring the penalty of death according to the decree of the book of Moses. Indeed he knows that you, rather than any other man, are entitled to marry his daughter. So now listen to me, brother, and tonight we shall speak concerning the girl and arrange her engagement to you. And when we return from Rages we will take her and bring her back with us to your house.’

14: Then Tobias said in answer to Raphael, ‘Brother Azariah, I have heard that she already has been married to seven husbands and that they died in the bridal chamber. On the night when they went in to her, they would die. I have heard people saying that it was a demon that killed them. 

15: It does not harm her, but it kills anyone who desires to approach her. So now, since I am the only son my father has, I am afraid that I may die and bring my father’s and mother’s life down to their grave, grieving for me - and they have no other son to bury them.’

16: But Raphael said to him, ‘Do you not remember your father’s orders when he commanded you to take a wife from your father’s house? Now listen to me, brother, and say no more about this demon. Take her. I know that this very night she will be given to you in marriage. 

17: When you enter the bridal chamber, take some of the fish’s liver and heart, and put them on the embers of the incense. An odour will be given off;

18: the demon will smell it and flee, and will never be seen near her any more. Now when you are about to go to bed with her, both of you must first stand up and pray, imploring the Lord of heaven that mercy and safety may be granted to you. Do not be afraid, for she was set apart for you before the world was made. You will save her, and she will go with you. I presume that you will have children by her, and they will be as brothers to you. Now say no more!’ When Tobias heard the words of Raphael and learned that she was his kinswoman, related through his father’s lineage, he loved her very much, and his heart was drawn to her. 

Chapter 7

1: When they entered Ecbatana, Tobias said, “Brother Azariah, lead me straight to our kinsman Raguel.” So he brought him to the house of Raguel, whom they found seated by his courtyard gate. They greeted him first. He said to them, “Greetings to you too, brothers! Good health to you, and welcome!” When he brought them into his home,

2: he said to his wife Edna, “This young man looks just like my kinsman Tobit!”

3: So Edna asked them, “Who are you, brothers?” They answered, “We are of the exiles from Naphtali at Nineveh.”

4: She said, “Do you know our kinsman Tobit?” They answered, “Indeed we do!” She asked, “Is he well?”

5: They answered, “Yes, he is alive and well.” Then Tobias exclaimed, “He is my father!”

6: Raguel sprang up and kissed him, shedding tears of joy.

7: But when he heard that Tobit had lost his eyesight, he was grieved and wept aloud. He said to Tobias: “My child, God blesses you! You are the son of a noble and good father. But what a terrible misfortune that such a righteous and charitable man should be afflicted with blindness!” He continued to weep in the arms of his kinsman Tobias.

8: His wife Edna also wept for Tobit; and even their daughter Sarah began to weep.

9: Afterward, Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock and gave them a cordial reception. When they had bathed and reclined to eat, Tobias said to Raphael, “Brother Azariah, ask Raguel to let me marry my kinswoman Sarah.”

10: Raguel overheard the words; so he said to the boy: “Eat and drink and be merry tonight, for no man is more entitled to marry my daughter Sarah than you, brother. Besides, not even I have the right to give her to anyone but you, because you are my closest relative. But I will explain the situation to you very frankly.

11: I have given her in marriage to seven men, all of whom were kinsmen of ours, and all died on the very night they approached her. But now, son, eat and drink. I am sure the Lord will look after you both.” Tobias answered, “I will eat or drink nothing until you set aside what belongs to me.” Raguel said to him: “I will do it. She is yours according to the decree of the Book of Moses. Your marriage to her has been decided in heaven! Take your kinswoman; from now on you are her love, and she is your beloved. She is yours today and ever after. And tonight, son, may the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace.”

12: Then Raguel called his daughter Sarah, and she came to him. He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobias with the words: “Take her according to the law. According to the decree written in the Book of Moses she is your wife. Take her and bring her back safely to your father. And may the God of heaven grant both of you peace and prosperity.”

13: He then called her mother and told her to bring a scroll, so that he might draw up a marriage contract stating that he gave Sarah to Tobias as his wife according to the decree of the Mosaic law. Her mother brought the scroll, and he drew up the contract, to which they affixed their seals.

14: Afterward they began to eat and drink.

15: Later Raguel called his wife Edna and said, “My love, prepare the other bedroom and bring the girl there.”

16: She went and made the bed in the room, as she was told, and brought the girl there. After she had cried over her, she wiped away the tears and said:

17: “Be brave, my daughter. May the Lord of heaven grant you joy in place of your grief. Courage, my daughter.” Then she left.

Chapter 8

1: When they had finished eating and drinking, the girl’s parents wanted to retire. They brought the young man out of the dining room and led him into the bedroom.

2: At this point Tobias, mindful of Raphael’s instructions, took the fish’s liver and heart from the bag which he had with him, and placed them on the embers for the incense.

3: The demon, repelled by the odor of the fish, fled into Upper Egypt; Raphael pursued him there and bound him hand and foot. Then Raphael returned immediately.

4: When the girl’s parents left the bedroom and closed the door behind them, Tobias arose from bed and said to his wife, “My love, get up. Let us pray and beg our Lord to have mercy on us and to grant us deliverance.”

5: She got up, and they started to pray and beg that deliverance might be theirs. He began with these words: “Blessed are you, O God of our fathers; praised be your name forever and ever. Let the heavens and all your creation praise you forever.

6: You made Adam and you gave him his wife Eve to be his help and support; and from these two the human race descended. You said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; let us make him a partner like himself.’

7: Now, Lord, you know that I take this wife of mine not because of lust, but for a noble purpose. Call down your mercy on me and on her, and allow us to live together to a happy old age.”

8: They said together, “Amen, amen,”

9: and went to bed for the night. But Raguel got up and summoned his servants. With him they went out to dig a grave,

10: for he said, “I must do this, because if Tobias should die, we would be subjected to ridicule and insult.”

11: When they had finished digging the grave, Raguel went back into the house and called his wife,

12: saying, “Send one of the maids in to see whether Tobias is alive or dead, so that if necessary we may bury him without anyone’s knowing about it.”

13: She sent the maid, who lit a lamp, opened the bedroom door, went in, and found them sound asleep together.

14: The maid went out and told the girl’s parents that Tobias was alive, and that there was nothing wrong.

15: Then Raguel praised the God of heaven in these words: “Blessed are you, O God, with every holy and pure blessing! Let all your chosen ones praise you; let them bless you forever!

16: Blessed are you, who have made me glad; what I feared did not happen. Rather you have dealt with us according to your great mercy.

17: Blessed are you, for you were merciful toward two only children. Grant them, Master, mercy and deliverance, and bring their lives to fulfillment with happiness and mercy.”

18: Then he told his servants to fill in the grave before dawn.

19: He asked his wife to bake many loaves of bread; he himself went out to the herd and picked out two steers and four rams which he ordered to be slaughtered. So the servants began to prepare the feast.

20: He summoned Tobias and made an oath in his presence, saying: “For fourteen days you shall not stir from here, but shall remain here eating and drinking with me; and you shall bring joy to my daughter’s sorrowing spirit.

21: Take, to begin with, half of whatever I own when you go back in good health to your father; the other half will be yours when I and my wife die. Be of good cheer, my son! I am your father, and Edna is your mother; and we belong to you and to your beloved now and forever. So be happy, son!”

Chapter 9

1: Then Tobias called Raphael and said to him:

2: “Brother Azariah, take along with you four servants and two camels and travel to Rages. Go to Gabael’s house and give him this bond. Get the money and then bring him along with you to the wedding celebration.

3: You witnessed the oath that Raguel has sworn; I cannot violate his oath.”

4: For you know that my father is counting the days. If I should delay my return by a single day, I would cause him intense grief.

5: So Raphael, together with the four servants and two camels, traveled to Rages in Media, where they stayed at Gabael’s house. Raphael gave Gabael his bond and told him about Tobit’s son Tobias, and that he had married and was inviting him to the wedding celebration. Gabael promptly checked over the sealed moneybags, and they placed them on the camels.

6: The following morning they got an early start and traveled to the wedding celebration. When they entered Raguel’s house, they found Tobias reclining at table. He sprang up and greeted Gabael, who wept and blessed him, exclaiming: “O noble and good child, son of a noble and good, upright and charitable man, may the Lord grant heavenly blessing to you and to your wife, and to your wife’s father and mother. Blessed be God, because I have seen the very image of my cousin Tobit!”

Day 128: Tobit 1 - 4

Chapter 1

1: This book tells the story of Tobit son of Tobiel son of Hananiel son of Aduel son of Gabael son of Raphael of the descendants of Asiel, of the tribe of Naphtali, 

2: who in the days of King Shalmaneser of the Assyrians was taken into captivity from Thisbe, which is to the south of Kedesh Naphtali in Upper Galilee, above Asher towards the west, and north of Phogor.

3:  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 people who had gone with me in exile to Nineveh in the land of the Assyrians.

4: When I was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was still a young man, the whole tribe of my ancestor Naphtali deserted the house of David and Jerusalem. This city had been chosen from among all the tribes of Israel, where all the tribes of Israel should offer sacrifice and where the temple, the dwelling of God, had been consecrated and established for all generations for ever.

5: All my kindred and our ancestral house of Naphtali sacrificed to the calf* that King Jeroboam of Israel had erected in Dan and on all the mountains of Galilee. 

6: But I alone went often to Jerusalem for the festivals, as it is prescribed for all Israel by an everlasting decree. I would hurry off to Jerusalem with the first fruits of the crops and the firstlings of the flock, the tithes of the cattle, and the first shearings of the sheep. 

7: I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar; likewise the tenth of the grain, wine, olive oil, pomegranates, figs, and the rest of the fruits to the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem. Also, for six years I would save up a second tenth in money and go and distribute it in Jerusalem. 

8: A third tenth I would give to the orphans and widows and to the converts who had attached themselves to Israel. I would bring it and give it to them in the third year, and we would eat it according to the ordinance decreed concerning it in the law of Moses and according to the instructions of Deborah, the mother of my father Tobiel, for my father had died and left me an orphan. 

9: When I became a man I married a woman, a member of our own family, and by her I became the father of a son whom I named Tobias.

10: After I was carried away captive to Assyria and came as a captive to Nineveh, everyone of my kindred and my people ate the food of the Gentiles, 

11: but I kept myself from eating the food of the Gentiles.

12: Because I was mindful of God with all my heart, 

13: the Most High gave me favour and good standing with Shalmaneser, and I used to buy everything he needed. 

14: Until his death I used to go into Media, and buy for him there. While in the country of Media I left bags of silver worth ten talents in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabri. 

15: But when Shalmaneser died, and his son Sennacherib reigned in his place, the highways into Media became unsafe and I could no longer go there.

16: In the days of Shalmaneser I performed many acts of charity to my kindred, those of my tribe. 

17: I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked; and if I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. 

18: I also buried any whom King Sennacherib put to death when he came fleeing from Judea in those days of judgment that the king of heaven executed upon him because of his blasphemies. For in his anger he put to death many Israelites; but I would secretly remove the bodies and bury them. So when Sennacherib looked for them he could not find them. 

19: Then one of the Ninevites went and informed the king about me, that I was burying them; so I hid myself. But when I realized that the king knew about me and that I was being searched for to be put to death, I was afraid and ran away. 

20: Then all my property was confiscated; nothing was left to me that was not taken into the royal treasury, except my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

21:  But not forty days passed before two of Sennacherib’s  sons killed him, and they fled to the mountains of Ararat, and his son Esar-haddon reigned after him. He appointed Ahikar, the son of my brother Hanael over all the accounts of his kingdom, and he had authority over the entire administration. 

22: Ahikar interceded for me, and I returned to Nineveh. Now Ahikar was chief cupbearer, keeper of the signet and in charge of administration of the accounts under King Sennacherib of Assyria; so Esar-haddon reappointed him. He was my nephew and so a close relative.

Chapter 2

1: Then during the reign of Esar-haddon I returned home and my wife Anna and my son Tobias were restored to me. At our festival of Pentecost, which is the sacred festival of weeks, a good dinner was prepared for me and I reclined to eat. 

2: When the table was set for me and an abundance of food placed before me, I said to my son Tobias, ‘Go, my child, and bring whatever poor person you may find of our people among the exiles in Nineveh, who is wholeheartedly mindful of God, and he shall eat together with me. I will wait for you, until you come back.’ 

3: So Tobias went to look for some poor person of our people. When he had returned he said, ‘Father!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am, my child.’ Then he went on to say, ‘Look, father, one of our own people has been murdered and thrown into the market-place, and now he lies there strangled.’

 4: Then I sprang up, left the dinner before even tasting it, and removed the body from the square and laid it in one of the rooms until sunset when I might bury it. 

5: When I returned, I washed myself and ate my food in sorrow. 

6: Then I remembered the prophecy of Amos, how he said against Bethel,   ‘Your festivals shall be turned into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation.’ And I wept.

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

8: And my neighbours laughed and said, ‘Is he still not afraid? He has already been hunted down to be put to death for doing this, and he ran away; yet here he is again burying the dead!’ 

9: That same night I washed myself and went into my courtyard and slept by the wall of the courtyard; and my face was uncovered because of the heat. 

10: I did not know that there were sparrows on the wall; their fresh droppings fell into my eyes and produced white films. I went to physicians to be healed, but the more they treated me with ointments the more my vision was obscured by the white films, until I became completely blind. For four years I remained unable to see. All my kindred were sorry for me, and Ahikar took care of me for two years before he went to Elymais.

11:  At that time, also, my wife Anna earned money at women’s work.

12: She used to send what she made to the owners and they would pay wages to her. One day, the seventh of Dystrus, when she cut off a piece she had woven and sent it to the owners; they paid her full wages and also gave her a kid for a meal. 

13: When she returned to me, the kid began to bleat. So I called her and said, ‘Where did you get this kid? It is surely not stolen, is it? Return it to the owners; for we have no right to eat anything stolen.’ 

14: But she said to me, ‘It was given to me as a gift in addition to my wages.’ But I did not believe her, and told her to return it to the owners. I became flushed with anger against her over this. Then she replied to me, ‘Where are your acts of charity? Where are your righteous deeds? These things are known about you!

Chapter 3

1: Then with much grief and anguish of heart I wept, and with groaning began to pray:
2:  ‘You are righteous, O Lord, and all your deeds are just; all your ways are mercy and truth; you judge the world.
3: And now, O Lord, remember me and look favourably upon me. Do not punish me for my sins and for my unwitting offences and those that my ancestors committed before you. They sinned against you,
4: and disobeyed your commandments. So you gave us over to plunder, exile, and death, to become the talk, the byword, and an object of reproach, among all the nations among whom you have dispersed us.
5: And now your many judgements are true in exacting penalty from me for my sins. For we have not kept your commandments and have not walked in accordance with truth before you.
6: So now deal with me as you will; command my spirit to be taken from me, so that I may be released from the face of the earth and become dust. For it is better for me to die than to live, because I have had to listen to undeserved insults, and great is the sorrow within me.
Command, O Lord, that I be released from this distress; release me to go to the eternal home, and do not, O Lord, turn your face away from me. For it is better for me to die than to see so much distress in my life and to listen to insults.’ 

7: On the same day, at Ecbatana in Media, it also happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, was reproached by one of her father’s maids.

8: For she had been married to seven husbands, and the wicked demon Asmodeus had killed each of them before they had been with her as is customary for wives. So the maid said to her, ‘You are the one who kills your husbands! See, you have already been married to seven husbands and have not borne the name of a single one of them. 

9: Why do you beat us? Because your husbands are dead? Go with them! May we never see a son or daughter of yours!’

10: On that day she was grieved in spirit and wept. When she had gone up to her father’s upper room, she intended to hang herself. But she thought it over and said, ‘Never shall they reproach my father, saying to him, “You had only one beloved daughter but she hanged herself because of her distress.” And I shall bring my father in his old age down in sorrow to Hades. It is better for me not to hang myself, but to pray the Lord that I may die and not listen to these reproaches anymore.’

11: At that same time, with hands outstretched towards the window, she prayed and said, ‘Blessed are you, merciful God! Blessed is your name for ever; let all your works praise you forever.
12: And now, Lord, I turn my face to you, and raise my eyes towards you.
13: Command that I be released from the earth and not listen to such reproaches any more.
14: You know, O Master, that I am innocent of any defilement with a man,
15: and that I have not disgraced my name or the name of my father in the land of my exile. I am my father’s only child; he has no other child to be his heir; and he has no close relative or other kindred for whom I should keep myself as wife.
Already seven husbands of mine have died. Why should I still live?
But if it is not pleasing to you, O Lord, to take my life, hear me in my disgrace.’

16: At that very moment, the prayers of both of them were heard in the glorious presence of God. 

17: 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.

Chapter 4

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

2: and he said to himself, ‘Now I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobias and explain to him about the money before I die?’ 

3: Then he called his son Tobias, and when he came to him he said, ‘My son, when I die, give me a proper burial. Honour your mother and do not abandon her all the days of her life. Do whatever pleases her, and do not grieve her in anything.

4: Remember her, my son, because she faced many dangers for you while you were in her womb. And when she dies, bury her beside me in the same grave.

5: ‘Revere the Lord all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing; 

6: for those who act in accordance with truth will prosper in all their activities. To all those who practice righteousness 

7: give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor and the face of God will not be turned away from you. 

8: If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. 

9: So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. 

10: For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness. 

11: Indeed, almsgiving, for all who practice it, is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

12: ‘Beware, my son, of every kind of fornication. First of all, marry a woman from among the descendants of your ancestors; do not marry a foreign woman, who is not of your father’s tribe; for we are the descendants of the prophets. Remember, my son, that Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, our ancestors of old, all took wives from among their kindred. They were blessed in their children, and their posterity will inherit the land. 

13: So now, my son, love your kindred, and in your heart do not disdain your kindred, the sons and daughters of your people, by refusing to take a wife for yourself from among them. For in pride there is ruin and great confusion. And in idleness there is loss and dire poverty, because idleness is the mother of famine.

14 ‘Do not keep over until the next day the wages of those who work for you, but pay them at once. If you serve God you will receive payment. Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in all your conduct. 

15: And what you hate, do not do to anyone. Do not drink wine to excess or let drunkenness go with you on your way. 

16: Give some of your food to the hungry, and some of your clothing to the naked. Give all your surplus as alms, and do not let your eye begrudge your giving of alms. 

17Place your bread on the grave of the righteous, but give none to sinners. 

18: Seek advice from every wise person and do not despise any useful counsel. 

19: At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him that your ways may be made straight and that all your paths and plans may prosper. For none of the nations has understanding, but the Lord himself will give them good counsel; but if he chooses otherwise, he casts down to deepest Hades. So now, my child, remember these commandments, and do not let them be erased from your heart.

20: ‘And now, my son, let me explain to you that I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael son of Gabrias, at Rages in Media. 

21: Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have great wealth if you fear God and flee from every sin and do what is good in the sight of the Lord your God.’