1   Now day by day Tobit was keeping count of the time Tobias would take for his journey there and back. When the days had passed and his son had not returned, Tobit said: 2   ‘Perhaps he has been detained there. Or perhaps Gabael is dead and there is no one to give him the money.’ 3    4   And he grew anxious. Anna his wife said: ‘My child has perished. He is no longer in the land of the living.’ 5   She began to weep and lament for her son: ‘O my child, the light of my eyes, why did I let you go?’ 6   Tobit said to her: ‘Hush, do not worry, my dear; he is all right. Something has happened there to distract them. The man who went with him is one of our kinsmen and can be trusted. Do not grieve for him, my dear; he will soon be back.’ 7   But she answered: ‘Be quiet! Leave me alone! Do not try to deceive me. My boy is dead.’ Each day she would rush out and look down the road her son had taken, and would listen to no one; and when she came indoors at sunset she could never sleep, but wept and lamented the whole night long.

The two weeks of wedding celebrations which Raguel had sworn to hold for his daughter came to an end, and Tobias went up to him and said: ‘Let me be off on my journey; for I am sure that my parents are thinking they will never see me again. I beg you, father, let me go home now to my father Tobit. I have already told you how I left him.’ 8   Raguel said to Tobias: ‘Stay, my son. Stay with me, and I will send news of you to your father.’ 9   But Tobias answered: ‘No; please let me go home to my father.’ 10   Then without further delay Raguel handed over to Tobias Sarah his bride and half of all that he possessed, male and female slaves, sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, clothes, money, and furniture. 11   He saw them safely off and embraced Tobias, saying: ‘Goodbye, my son; a safe journey to you!

Tobias's homecoming May the Lord of heaven give prosperity to you and Sarah your wife; and may I live to see your children.’ 12   To his daughter Sarah he said: ‘Go to your father-in-law's house; they are now your parents as much as if you were their own daughter. Go in peace, my child; I hope to hear good news of you as long as I live.’ He bade them both goodbye and sent them on their way. Edna said to Tobias: ‘Child and beloved cousin, may the Lord bring you safely home, you and my daughter Sarah, and may I live long enough to see your children. In the sight of the Lord I entrust my daughter to you; do nothing to hurt her as long as you live. Go in peace, my son. From now on I am your mother and Sarah is your beloved wife. May we all be blessed with prosperity to the end of our days!’ She kissed them both and saw them safely off.

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