1   Then Tobias said: ‘I will do all that you have told me, father. 2   But how shall I be able to get this money from him, since he does not know me and I do not know him? What proof of identity shall I give him to make him believe me and give me this money? Also I do not know the roads to Media or how to get there.’ 3   To this Tobit replied: ‘He gave me his note of hand, and I gave him mine, which I divided in two. We took one part each, and I put mine with the money. It is twenty years since I made this deposit. And now, my boy, find someone reliable to go with you, and we will pay him up to the time of your return; then go and recover the money from Gabael.’

4   Tobias went out to find a man who knew the way and would

The adventures of Tobias accompany him to Media, and found himself face to face with the angel Raphael. 5   Not knowing he was an angel of God, he questioned him: ‘Where do you come from, young man?’ ‘I am an Israelite,’ he replied, ‘one of your fellow-countrymen, and I have come here to find work.’ 6   Tobias asked, ‘Do you know the road to Media?’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I have often been there; I am familiar with all the routes and know them well. I have often travelled into Media and used to lodge with Gabael our fellow-countryman who lives there in Rages. ^noteIt is two full days' journey from Ecbatana to Rages; for Rages is in the hills, and Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.’ 7   Tobias said: ‘Wait for me, young man, while I go in and tell my father. I need you to go with me and will pay you your wages.’ 8   ‘All right, I will wait,’ he said; ‘only do not be too long.’

Tobias went in and told his father. ‘I have found a fellow-Israelite to accompany me’, he said. His father replied, ‘Call the man in, my son. I want to find out his family and tribe and make sure that he will be a trustworthy companion for you.’

9   Tobias went out and called him: ‘Young man, my father is asking for you.’ He went in, and Tobit greeted him first. To Raphael's reply, ‘May all be well with you!’, Tobit retorted: ‘How can anything be well with me now? I am a blind man; I cannot see the light of heaven, but lie in darkness like the dead who cannot see the light. Though still alive, I am as good as dead. I hear men's voices, but the men I do not see.’ Raphael answered: ‘Take heart; in God's design your cure is at hand. Take heart.’ Tobit went on: ‘My son Tobias wishes to travel to Media. Can you go with him as his guide? I will pay you, my friend.’ ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I can go with him; I know all the roads. I have often been to Media; I have travelled over all the plains and mountains there, and am familiar with all its roads.’ 10   Tobit said to him, ‘Tell me, my friend, what family and tribe you belong to.’ 11   He asked, ‘Why need you know my tribe?’ Tobit said, ‘I do indeed wish to know whose son you are, my friend, and what your name is.’ 12   ‘I am Azarias,’ he replied, ‘son of the older Ananias, one of your kinsmen.’

13   Tobit said to him: ‘Good luck and a safe journey to you! Do not be angry with me, my friend, because I wished to know the facts of your descent. It turns out that you are a kinsman, and a man of good family. I knew Ananias and Nathan the two sons of the older

The adventures of Tobias Semelias. They used to go with me to Jerusalem and worship with me there; they never went astray. Your kinsmen are worthy men; you come of a sound stock. 14   Good luck go with you.’ Tobit added: ‘I will pay you a drachma a day and allow you the same expenses as my son. 15   Keep him company on his travels, and I will add something to your wages.’ 16   Raphael answered: ‘I will go with him. Never fear; we shall travel there and back without mishap, because the road is safe.’ Tobit replied, ‘God bless you, my friend.’ He called his son and said to him: ‘My boy, get ready what you need for the journey, and set off with your kinsman. May God in heaven keep both of you safe on your journey there and restore you to me unharmed. May his angel safely escort you both.’ Before setting out Tobias kissed his father and mother, and Tobit said to him, ‘Goodbye, and a safe journey!’

17   Then his mother burst into tears. ‘Why have you sent my boy away?’ she said to Tobit. ‘Is he not our prop and stay? Has he not always been at home with us? 18   Why send money after money? Write it off for the sake of our boy! 19   Let us be content to live the life the Lord has appointed for us.’ 20   Tobit said to her: ‘Do not worry; our son will go safely and come back safely, and you will see him with your own eyes on the day of his safe return. Do not worry or be anxious about them, my dear. 21   A good angel will go with him, and his journey will prosper, and he will come back safe and sound.’ 22   At that she stopped crying.

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