1  Tobit was from the tribe and city of Naphtali (which is in the upper parts of Galilee above Asher, after the way, which leads to the west, that has on its left the city of Sephet).

1  The book of the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali;

2  Although he had been taken captive in the days of Shalmaneser, the king of the Assyrians, even in such a situation as captivity, he did not desert the way of truth.

2  Who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser.

3  So then, every day, all that he was able to obtain, he bestowed on his fellow captive brothers, who were from his kindred.

3  I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians.

4  And, when he was among the youngest of any in the tribe of Naphtali, he showed not so much as any childish behavior in his work.

4  And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

5  And then, when all went to the golden calves which Jeroboam, king of Israel, had made, he alone fled from the company of them all.

5  Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

6  Yet he continued on to Jerusalem, to the temple of the Lord, and there he adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his first-fruits and his tithes.

6  But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron.

7  So then, in the third year, he administered all his tithes to new converts and to new arrivals.

7  The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem

8  These and similar such things, even as a boy, he observed according to the law of God.

8  And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father’s mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.

9  Truly, when he had become a man, he received as wife Anna of his own tribe, and he conceived a son by her, to whom he assigned his own name.

9  Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.

10  From his infancy, he taught him to fear God and to abstain from all sin.

11  Therefore, when, during the captivity, he had arrived with his wife and son at the city of Nineveh, with all his tribe,

10  And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles.

11  (even though they all ate from the foods of the Gentiles,) he guarded his soul and never was contaminated with their foods.

11  But I kept myself from eating;

12  And because he was mindful of the Lord with his whole heart, God gave him favor in the sight of Shalmaneser the king.

13  Because I remembered God with all my heart.

14  And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.

13  And he gave him the power to go wherever he would want, having the freedom to do whatever he wished.

14  Therefore, he continued on to all who were in captivity, and he gave them helpful advice.

15  But when he had arrived at Rages, a city of the Medes, he had ten talents of silver, from that which he had been given in honor by the king.

15  And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver.

16  And when, in the midst of the great tumult of his kindred, he saw the destitution of Gabael, who was from his tribe, he loaned him, under a written agreement, the aforementioned weight of silver.

17  In truth, after a long time, Shalmaneser the king died, while Sennacherib his son reigned in his place, and he held a hatred for the sons of Israel.

17  Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media.

18  Every day, Tobit traveled though all his own people, and he consoled them, and he distributed to each one as much as he could from his resources.

18  And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,

19  He nourished the hungry, and he supplied clothes to the naked, and he showed concern for the burial of the dead and of the slain.

19  And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.

20  And then, when king Sennacherib had returned from Judea, fleeing the scourge which God had caused all around him because of his blasphemy, and, being angry, he was slaughtering many from the sons of Israel, Tobit buried their bodies.

20  And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king.

21  And when it was reported to the king, he ordered him to be slain, and he took away all his belongings.

21  And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.

22  In truth, Tobit, fleeing with nothing but his son and his wife, was able to remain hidden because many loved him.

22  Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.

23  In truth, after forty-five days, the king was slain by his own sons,

23  And there passed not five and fifty days, before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararath; and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father’s accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus my brother Anael’s son.

24  and Tobit was able to return to his house, and all his resources were restored to him.

24  And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Nineve. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts: and Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him: and he was my brother’s son.

2:2  he said to his son: “Go, and bring some others who fear God from our tribe to feast with us.”

2  And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son, Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our brethren, who is mindful of the Lord; and, lo, I tarry for thee.

2:3  And after he had gone, returning, he reported to him that one of the sons of Israel, with his throat cut, was lying in the street. And immediately, he leapt from his place reclining at table, left behind his dinner, and went forth with fasting to the body.

3  But he came again, and said, Father, one of our nation is strangled, and is cast out in the marketplace.

2:4  And taking it up, he carried it in secret to his house, so that, after the sun had set, he might bury him cautiously.

4  Then before I had tasted of any meat, I started up, and took him up into a room until the going down of the sun.

2:5  And after he had hidden the body, he chewed his bread with mourning and fear,

5  Then I returned, and washed myself, and ate my meat in heaviness,

2:6  remembering the word that the Lord spoke through the prophet Amos: “Your feast days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning.”

6  Remembering that prophecy of Amos, as he said, Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your mirth into lamentation.

2:7  Truly, when the sun had set, he went out, and he buried him.

7  Therefore I wept: and after the going down of the sun I went and made a grave, and buried him.

2:8  Yet all his neighbors argued with him, saying: “Now, an order was given to execute you because of this matter, and you barely escaped a death sentence, and again you are burying the dead?”

8  But my neighbours mocked me, and said, This man is not yet afraid to be put to death for this matter: who fled away; and yet, lo, he burieth the dead again.

2:9  But Tobit, fearing God more than the king, stole away the bodies of the slain and concealed them in his house, and in the middle of the night, he buried them.

2:10  But it happened one day, being tired from burying the dead, he came into his house, and he threw himself down next to the wall, and he slept.

10  The same night also I returned from the burial, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted and my face was uncovered

2:11  And, as he was sleeping, warm droppings from a swallow’s nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.

11  And I knew not that there were sparrows in the wall, and mine eyes being open, the sparrows muted warm dung into mine eyes, and a whiteness came in mine eyes: and I went to the physicians, but they helped me not: moreover Achiacharus did nourish me, until I went into Elymais.

2:12  And so the Lord permitted this trial to befall him, in order that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, which is even like that of holy Job.

2:13  For, even from his infancy, he had always feared God and kept his commandments, so he was not discouraged before God because of the scourge of blindness that had befallen him.

2:14  But he remained immoveable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.

2:15  For just as kings have mocked blessed Job, so also his relatives and acquaintances ridiculed his life, saying

2:16  “Where is your hope, on behalf of which you gave alms and buried the dead?”

2:17  In truth, Tobit corrected them, saying: “Do not speak in this way,

2:18  for we are the sons of the holy ones, and we look forward to that life which God will give to those who never change in their faith before him.”

2:19  In truth, his wife Anna went out to weaving work daily, and she brought back the provisions that she was able to obtain by the labor of her hands.

19  And my wife Anna did take women’s works to do.

2:20  Whereupon it happened that, having received a young goat, she brought it home.

20  And when she had sent them home to the owners, they paid her wages, and gave her also besides a kid.

2:21  When her husband heard the sound of its bleating, he said, “Look, so that it might not be stolen, return it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat, or to touch, anything stolen.”

21  And when it was in my house, and began to cry, I said unto her, From whence is this kid? is it not stolen? render it to the owners; for it is not lawful to eat any thing that is stolen.

2:22  At this, his wife, being angry, answered, “Clearly, your hope has become vanity, and the manner of your almsgiving has become apparent.”

23  And with these and other similar such words, she reproached him.

22  But she replied upon me, It was given for a gift more than the wages. Howbeit I did not believe her, but bade her render it to the owners: and I was abashed at her. But she replied upon me, Where are thine alms and thy righteous deeds? behold, thou and all thy works are known.

3:2  saying, “O Lord, you are just and all your judgments are just, and all your ways are mercy, and truth, and judgment.

2  O Lord, thou art just, and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth, and thou judgest truly and justly for ever.

3:3  And now, O Lord, remember me, and do not take vengeance for my sins, and do not call to mind my offenses, nor those of my parents.

3  Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorances, and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before thee

3:4  For we have not obeyed your precepts, and so we have been handed over to plundering and to captivity, and to death, and to mockery, and as a disgrace before all the nations, among which you have dispersed us.

4  For they obeyed not thy commandments: wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, and unto death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed.

3:5  And now, O Lord, great are your judgments. For we have not acted according to your precepts, and we have not walked sincerely before you.

5  And now thy judgements are many and true: deal with me according to my sins and my fathers’: because we have not kept thy commandments, neither have walked in truth before thee.

3:6  And now, O Lord, do with me according to your will, and order my spirit to be received in peace. For it is more expedient for me to die, than to live.”

6  Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved, and become earth: for it is profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and have much sorrow: command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress, and go into the everlasting place: turn not thy face away from me.

3:7  And so, on the same day, it happened that Sarah, the daughter of Raguel, in Rages, a city of the Medes, also heard a reproach from one of her father’s servant maids.

7  It came to pass the same day, that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her father’s maids;

3:8  For she had been given to seven husbands, and a demon named Asmodeus had killed them, as soon as they had approached her.

8  Because that she had been married to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain with her. Dost thou not know, said they, that thou hast strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands, neither wast thou named after any of them.

3:9  Therefore, when she corrected the maid for her fault, she answered her, saying, “May we never see son or daughter from you upon the earth, you murderess of your husbands.

9  Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead, go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or daughter.

3:10  Would you also kill me, just as you have already killed seven husbands?” At these words, she proceeded to an upper room of her house. And for three days and three nights, she did not eat or drink.

10  When she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave.

3:11  But, continuing in prayer with tears, she beseeched God, so that he would liberate her from this reproach.

11  Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever: let all thy works praise thee for ever.

3:12  And it happened on the third day, while she was completing her prayer, blessing the Lord,

12  And now, O Lord, I set I mine eyes and my face toward thee,

3:13  that she said: “Blessed is your name, O God of our fathers, who, though you had been angry, will show mercy. And in time of tribulation, you dismiss the sins of those who call upon you.

13  And say, Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no more the reproach.

3:14  To you, O Lord, I turn my face; to you, I direct my eyes.

14  Thou knowest, Lord, that I am pure from all sin with man,

3:15  I beg you, O Lord, that you may absolve me from the chains of this reproach, or at least take me away from the earth.

15  And that I never polluted my name, nor the name of my father, in the land of my captivity: I am the only daughter of my father, neither hath he any child to be his heir, neither any near kinsman, nor any son of his alive, to whom I may keep myself for a wife: my seven husbands are already dead; and why should I live? but if it please not thee that I should die, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, that I hear no more reproach.

3:16  You know, O Lord, that I have never coveted a husband, and I have preserved my soul clean from all impure desire.

3:17  I have never mingled myself with those who play. And I have not presented myself as a participant with those who walk with levity.

3:18  But I consented to accept a husband, in your fear, not in my lust.

3:19  And, either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me. For perhaps you have preserved me for another husband.

3:20  For your counsel is not within the ability of man.

3:21  But all who worship you are certain of this: that one’s life, if it should be tested, shall be crowned, and if it should be in tribulation, shall be delivered, and if it should be corrected, shall be permitted to approach your mercy.

3:22  For you are not delighted with our perdition. For, after a storm, you create tranquility, and after tears and weeping, you pour out exultation.

3:23  May your name, O God of Israel, be blessed forever.”

3:24  At that time, the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God.

24  So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God.

3:25  And the holy Angel of the Lord, Raphael, was sent to care for both of them, whose prayers were recited at the same time in the sight of the Lord.

25  And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.

4:1  Therefore, when Tobit considered that his prayer was heard, so that he might be able to die, he called his son Tobias to him.

1  In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media,

4:2  And he said to him: “My son, hear the words of my mouth, and set them, like a foundation, in your heart.

2  And said with himself, I have wished for death; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to him of the money before I die?

4:3  When God will receive my soul, bury my body. And you shall honor your mother, all the days of her life.

3  And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am dead, bury me; and despise not thy mother, but honour her all the days of thy life, and do that which shall please her, and grieve her not.

4:4  For you are obliged to be mindful of what great perils she suffered because of you in her womb.

5  But when she too will have completed the time of her life, bury her near me.

4  Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee, when thou wast in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave.

4:5  Yet, for all the days of your life, have God in your mind. And be careful that you never consent to sin, nor overlook the precepts of the Lord our God.

5  My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days, and let not thy will be set to sin, or to transgress his commandments: do uprightly all thy life long, and follow not the ways of unrighteousness.

4:6  Give alms from your substance, and do not turn away your face from any pauper. For so it shall be that neither will the face of the Lord be turned away from you.

6  Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee.

4:7  For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly.

4:8  If you have much, distribute abundantly. If you have little, nevertheless strive to bestow a little freely.

8  If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little

4:9  For you store up for yourself a good reward for the day of necessity.

9  For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity.

4:10  For almsgiving liberates from every sin and from death, and it will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.

10  Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness.

4:11  Almsgiving will be a great act of faith before the most high God, for all those who practice it.

11  For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High.

4:12  Take care to keep yourself, my son, from all fornication, and, except for your wife, never permit yourself to know such an offense.

12  Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to wife, which is not of thy father’s tribe: for we are the children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, even that they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.

4:13  Never permit arrogance to rule in your mind or in your words. For in it, all perdition had its beginning.

13  Now therefore, my son, love thy brethren, and despise not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy people, in not taking a wife of them: for in pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want: for lewdness is the mother of famine.

4:14  And whoever has done any kind of work for you, immediately pay him his wages, and do not let the wages of your hired hand remain with you at all.

14  Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for thee, tarry with thee, but give him it out of hand: for if thou serve God, he will also repay thee: be circumspect my son, in all things thou doest, and be wise in all thy conversation.

4:15  Whatever you would hate to have done to you by another, see that you never do so to another.

15  Do that to no man which thou hatest: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey.

4:16  Eat your bread with the hungry and the needy, and cover the naked with your own garments.

16  Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked; and according to thine abundance give alms: and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.

4:17  Set out your bread and your wine at the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink from it with sinners.

17  Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.

4:18  Always seek the counsel of a wise man.

18  Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable.

4:19  Bless God at all times. And petition him that he direct your ways and that all your counsels may remain in him.

19  Bless the Lord thy God alway, and desire of him that thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of thy mind.

4:20  And now, I reveal to you, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while you were still a young child, to Gabael, in Rages, a city of the Medes, and I have his written agreement with me.

20  And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.

4:21  And so, inquire how you may travel to him and receive from him the aforementioned weight of silver, and return to him the written agreement.

4:22  Do not be afraid, my son. We do indeed lead a poor life, but we will have many good things: if we fear God, and withdraw from all sin, and do what is good.”

22  And fear not, my son, that we are made poor: for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight.

5:2  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.”

2  But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not?

5:3  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.

5:4  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.”

4  Then he gave him the handwriting, and said unto him, Seek thee a man which may go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages: and go and receive the money.

5:5  Then Tobias, departing, found a splendid young man, standing girded and seemingly ready for travel.

5  Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel.

5:6  And not knowing that he was an Angel of God, he greeted him, and he said, “Where are you from, good young man?”

6  But he knew not; and he said unto him, Canst thou go with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well?

5:7  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?”

5:8  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.”

8  To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.

5:9  Tobias said to him, “I implore you, wait here for me, until I tell these same things to my father.”

9  Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father.

5:10  Then Tobias, entering, revealed all these things to his father. Upon which, his father, in admiration, asked that he would enter to him.

10  Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not. So he went in and said to his father, Behold, I have found one which will go with me. Then he said, Call him unto me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee.

5:11  And so, entering, he greeted him, and he said, “May gladness be always with you.”

11  So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another.

5:12  And Tobit said, “What kind of gladness will be for me, since I sit in darkness and do not see the light of heaven?”

12  Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what tribe and family thou art.

5:13  And the young man said to him, “Be steadfast in soul. Your cure from God is near.”

13  To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name.

5:14  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.”

5:15  And the Angel said to him, “I will lead him, and I will bring him back to you.”

5:16  And Tobit responded to him, “I ask you to tell me: which family or which tribe are you from?”

5:17  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?

5:18  But, lest perhaps I cause you to worry: I am Azariah, the son of Hananiah the great.”

18  Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of thy brethren.

5:19  And Tobit responded, “You are from a great family. But I ask you, do not be angry that I wanted to know your family.”

19  Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother, thou art of a good stock.

5:20  But the Angel said to him, “I will lead your son safely, and I will bring him back safely to you.”

20  But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?

5:21  And so Tobit, answering, said, “May you walk well, and may God be with you on your journey, and may his Angel accompany you.”

21  Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to thy wages.

5:22  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.

22  So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things far the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man’s dog with them.

5:23  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.

23  But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?

5:24  I wish that the money, for which you sent him, had never been.

24  Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as refuse in respect of our child.

5:25  For our poverty has been sufficient for us, so that we might count it as riches that we saw our son.”

25  For that which the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us.

5:26  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.

26  Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.

5:27  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.”

27  For the good angel will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.

5:28  At these words, his mother ceased weeping, and she was silent.

28  Then she made an end of weeping.

6:1  And so Tobias continued on, and the dog was following him, and he stayed at the first stopping point, near the river Tigris.

1  And as they went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river Tigris, and they lodged there.

6:2  And he went out to wash his feet, and behold, an immense fish came out to devour him.

2  And when the young man went down to wash himself, a fish leaped out of the river, and would have devoured him.

6:3  And Tobias, being frightened of it, cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Sir, it is attacking me!”

6:4  And the Angel said to him, “Catch it by the gills, and draw it to you.” And when he had done so, he pulled it onto dry land, and it began to thrash before his feet.

4  Then the angel said unto him, Take the fish. And the young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land.

6:5  Then the Angel said to him: “Disembowel this fish, and put aside his heart, and his gall, and his liver for yourself. For these things are necessary as useful medicines.”

5  To whom the angel said, Open the fish, and take the heart and the liver and the gall, and put them up safely.

6:6  And when he had done so, he roasted its flesh, and they took it with them on the way. The rest they salted, so that it might be sufficient for them, until they would arrive at Rages, a city of the Medes.

6  So the young man did as the angel commanded him; and when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it: then they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatane.

6:7  Then Tobias questioned the Angel, and he said to him, “I implore you, brother Azariah, to tell me what remedies these things hold, which you have told me to retain from the fish?”

7  Then the young man said to the angel, Brother Azarias, to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish?

6:8  And the Angel, answering, said to him: “If you put a little piece of its heart on burning coals, its smoke will drive away all kind of demons, whether from a man or from a woman, so that they will no longer approach them.

8  And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the party shall be no more vexed.

6:9  And the gall is useful for anointing the eyes, in which there may be a white speck, and they will be cured.”

9  As for the gall, it is good to anoint a man that hath whiteness in his eyes, and he shall be healed.

6:10  And Tobias said to him, “Where do you prefer that we stay?”

10  And when they were come near to Rages,

6:11  And the Angel, responding, said: “Here is one named Raguel, a man closely related to you from your tribe, and he has a daughter named Sarah, but he has no other male or female, except her.

11  The angel said to the young man, Brother, to day we shall lodge with Raguel, who is thy cousin; he also hath one only daughter, named Sara; I will speak for her, that she may be given thee for a wife.

6:12  All his livelihood is dependent upon you, and you ought to take her to yourself in marriage.

12  For to thee doth the right of her appertain, seeing thou only art of her kindred.

6:13  Therefore, ask for her from her father, and he will give her to you as wife.”

13  And the maid is fair and wise: now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father; and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage: for I know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the law of Moses, but he shall be guilty of death, because the right of inheritance doth rather appertain to thee than to any other.

6:14  Then Tobias responded, and he said: “I hear that she has been given to seven husbands, and they passed away. But I have even heard this: that a demon killed them.

14  Then the young man answered the angel, I have heard, brother Azarias that this maid hath been given to seven men, who all died in the marriage chamber.

6:15  Therefore, I am afraid, lest this may happen to me also. And since I am the only child of my parents, I might send their old age with sorrow to the grave.”

15  And now I am the only son of my father, and I am afraid, lest if I go in unto her, I die, as the other before: for a wicked spirit loveth her, which hurteth no body, but those which come unto her; wherefore I also fear lest I die, and bring my father’s and my mother’s life because of me to the grave with sorrow: for they have no other son to bury them.

6:16  Then the Angel Raphael said to him: “Listen to me, and I will reveal to you who they are, over whom the demon can prevail.

16  Then the angel said unto him, Dost thou not remember the precepts which thy father gave thee, that thou shouldest marry a wife of thine own kindred? wherefore hear me, O my brother; for she shall be given thee to wife; and make thou no reckoning of the evil spirit; for this same night shall she be given thee in marriage.

6:17  For example, those who receive marriage in such manner as to exclude God from themselves and from their mind, and in such a manner as to empty themselves to their lust, like the horse and mule, which have no understanding, over them the demon has power.

6:18  But you, when you will have accepted her, enter the bedroom and for three days keep yourself continent from her, and empty yourself to nothing other than prayers with her.

6:19  Moreover, on that night, burn the liver of the fish like incense, and the demon will be put to flight.

19  And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber, thou shalt take the ashes of perfume, and shalt lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish, and shalt make a smoke with it

6:20  In truth, on the second night, you will become ready to receive a physical union like that of the holy Patriarchs.

20  And the devil shall smell it, and flee away, and never come again any more: but when thou shalt come to her, rise up both of you, and pray to God which is merciful, who will have pity on you, and save you: fear not, for she is appointed unto thee from the beginning; and thou shalt preserve her, and she shall go with thee. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee children. Now when Tobias had heard these things, he loved her, and his heart was effectually joined to her.

6:21  And then, on the third night, you will obtain a blessing, so that healthy children may be procreated from you both.

6:22  And so, the third night having been accomplished, you will receive the virgin with the fear of the Lord, led more by love of children than by physical desire, so that, as the offspring of Abraham, you will then obtain a blessing in children.