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Tobit 5

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Tobit 5

The Angel Raph'ael

1Then Tobi'as answered him, "Father, I will do everything that you have commanded me; 2but how can I obtain the money when I do not know the man?" 3Then Tobit gave him the receipt, and said to him, "Find a man to go with you and I will pay him wages as long as I live; and go and get the money." 4So he went to look for a man; and he found Raph'ael, who was an angel, 5but Tobi'asa did not know it. Tobi'asb said to him, "Can you go with me to Rages in Media? Are you acquainted with that region?" 6The angel replied, "I will go with you; I am familiar with the way, and I have stayed with our brother Gab'ael." 7Then Tobi'as said to him, "Wait for me, and I shall tell my father." 8And he said to him, "Go, and do not delay." So he went in and said to his father, "I have found some one to go with me." He said, "Call him to me, so that I may learn to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is a reliable man to go with you."

9So Tobi'asc invited him in; he entered and they greeted each other. 10Then Tobit said to him, "My brother, to what tribe and family do you belong? Tell me." 11But he answered, "Are you looking for a tribe and a family or for a man whom you will pay to go with your son?" And Tobit said to him, "I should like to know, my brother, your people and your name." 12He replied, "I am Azari'as the son of the great Anani'as, one of your relatives." 13Then Tobit said to him, "You are welcome, my brother. Do not be angry with me because I tried to learn your tribe and family. You are a relative of mine, of a good and noble lineage. For I used to know Anani'as and Jathan, the sons of the great Shema'iah, when we went together to Jerusalem to worship and offered the first-born of our flocks and the tithes of our produce. They did not go astray in the error of our brethren. My brother, you come of good stock. 14But tell me, what wages am I to pay you-a drachma a day, and expenses for yourself as for my son? 15And besides, I will add to your wages if you both return safe and sound." So they agreed to these terms.

16Then he said to Tobi'as, "Get ready for the journey, and good success to you both." So his son made the preparations for the journey. And his father said to him, "Go with this man; God who dwells in heaven will prosper your way, and may his angel attend you." So they both went out and departed, and the young man's dog was with them.

17But Anna,d his mother, began to weep, and said to Tobit, "Why have you sent our child away? Is he not the staff of our hands as he goes in and out before us? 18Do not add money to money, but consider it as rubbish as compared to our child. 19For the life that is given to us by the Lord is enough for us." 20And Tobit said to her, "Do not worry, my sister; he will return safe and sound, and your eyes will see him. 21For a good angel will go with him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back safe and sound." 22So she stopped weeping.