The Angel Raphael

¹ Then Tobias answered his father Tobit, saying, “Father, everything that you have commanded me I will do;

² but how will I be able to obtain the silver from him when he does not know me and I do not know him? What sign am I to give him so that he will recognize me and believe me and give me the silver? And I do not know the roads leading into Media, that I might travel there.”

³ Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, saying, “He gave me his handwritten receipt, and I gave a receipt to him. I divided one in two pieces and we each took one piece, and I put one with the silver. And now, behold! It is twenty years since I entrusted this silver. And now, child, seek out a reliable man for yourself, who will travel with you, and we will pay him wages until you return. Now obtain this silver from him.”

⁴ So Tobias went to look for a man who might go with him into Media, who knew the road. He went out and found the angel Raphael standing before him, though Tobias did not know that he was an angel of God.

⁵ Tobias said to him, “Where are you from, young man?” And he said, “From the sons of Israel, your brothers, and I have come here to find employment.” Tobias said to him, “Do you know the road to go into Media?”

⁶ He said to him, “Yes, I was there often, and I know and have experience with all the roads. I have travelled many times into Media and lodged with Gabael, our brother, who lives at Rages in Media. It is a two-day journey from Ecbatana to Rages, for Rages lies on a mountain, but Ecbatana in the midst of a plain.”

⁷ Then Tobias said to him, “Wait for me, young man, until I go and tell my father, for I need you to go with me, and I will pay you your wages.”

⁸ And he said to him, “I will linger; only do not delay.”

⁹ So Tobias went and informed his father Tobit and said to him, “Behold! I have found a man from among our brothers, the sons of Israel.” He said, “Call the man for me, so that I may learn what his ancestry is, from which tribe he comes, and whether he is a reliable man, that he should go with you, child.”

¹⁰ So Tobias went out, called him, and said to him, “Young man, my father is calling for you.” And he entered the house and Tobit greeted him first. And the angel said, “May many things come to be that will give you joy.” Replying, Tobit said to him, “What is left to give me joy? I am a person with no power in his eyes. I do not see the light of heaven, but I lie in darkness like the dead, who no longer see the light. I am living among the dead: I hear people’s voices, but I do not see them.” And he said to him, “Take heart! Your healing from God is near. Take heart!” Then Tobit said to him, “My son Tobias wishes to journey into Media. If you able to accompany him and guide him, I will give you your wages, brother.” He replied, “I am able to go with him, and I know all the roads. I have gone often into Media and crossed all its plains, and I know the mountains and all its paths.”

¹¹ Then Tobit said to him, “Brother, what is your lineage, and from what tribe do you come? Tell me, brother.”

¹² But he answered, “What need do you have of a tribe?” And Tobit said to him, “I would like to know the truth about whose you are, brother, and what your name is.”

¹³ He said to him, “I am Azarias son of the great Ananias, from among your brothers.”

¹⁴ Then Tobit said to him, “May you go in good health and be kept safe, brother. Do not be angry with me, brother, because I wanted to learn the truth about your lineage. You do turn out to be a brother, of a good and noble stock. I used to know Ananias and Nathan, the two sons of the great Shemeliah: they used to travel with me to Jerusalem and worship with me there, and they were not led astray. Your relatives are good people; you are from good stock, and may you go rejoicing.”

¹⁵ And he said to him, “I am giving you a daily wage of a drachma and any necessary expenses for you and likewise for my son.

¹⁶ Now go with my son, and I will add a bonus to your wages.” And he replied to him, “I will go with him. Do not be afraid: we will be safe as we go, and we will return to you in safety, because the way is secure.”

¹⁷ And Tobit said to him, “Blessing be upon you, brother.” Then he called his son and said to him, “Child, get your things ready for the journey and go with your brother, and may God in heaven bring you both safely there and bring you both back to me safe and sound, and may his angel travel with you both in safety, child.” So he went out to make his journey, and he kissed his father and mother, and Tobit said to him, “Go safely!”

¹⁸ His mother wept and said to Tobit, “Why have you sent my child away? Is he not the staff in our hand as he goes in and out before us?

¹⁹ Do not pile silver upon silver, 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 And he said to her, “Do not make an issue of this; our child will go safely and come back to us safe and sound. You will see with your own eyes on that day that he returns to you safely. So do not make an issue of this, and do not be afraid for them, sister,

²² for a good angel will go with him. His journey will be successful, and he will come back safe and sound.”