Tobias Offers to Pay His Guide
1 And when the wedding feast had ended Tobit called his son Tobias, and said to him, “Child, make sure you pay the man who went with you, and give him something extra.”
2 And he said to him, “Father, how much should I give him as his wages? It would not hurt me to give him half of the possessions which he has brought with me. 3 He has led me in safety, and he cured my wife, and brought the money with me, and cured you. How much more should I pay him?”
4 And Tobit said to him, “Child, he deserves half of everything you had when you returned.”
5 And he called him and said, “Take half of everything you had when you returned as your wages, and go in peace.”
Raphael’s Teaching
6 Then he called them both privately, and said to them, “Bless God and thank him before everyone who lives, for the good things which he has done to you, and bless and praise his name. Honorably proclaim the words of God to everyone, and do not be slow to thank him. 7 It is good to keep the secret of a king, but to acknowledge and reveal the works of God. And acknowledge them with honor. Do good, and evil will not find you.
8 “Prayer with truth and charitable giving with righteousness are better than riches with unrighteousness. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold, 9 giving to the poor saves from death, and it cleanses all sin. Those who give to the poor will be filled with life, 10 while those who commit sin and unrighteousness are enemies of their own life.
Raphael Reveals His Identity
11 “I will tell you all the truth and will hide nothing from you. Already I have shown you and said, ‘It is good to keep a king’s secret, but to reveal God’s works with honor.’
12 “And now, when you and Sarah prayed, I brought the remembrance of your prayer before the glory of the Lord. I did the same when you buried the dead. 13 And when you did not delay to get up, and leave your dinner, but went to prepare the dead for burial, 14 then I was sent to you to test you, and at the same time God also sent me to heal Sarah your daughter-in-law. 15 I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand and enter before the glory of the Lord.”
Raphael Returns to God
16 And they were both troubled, and fell facedown, and they were afraid.
17 And he said to them, “Do not be afraid. Peace be with you. Bless God forever. 18 When I was with you, I was not there by my own choice, but by God’s will. Bless him every day and praise him. 19 And you see that I have eaten nothing, but a vision has appeared to you. 20 And now bless the Lord on the earth and give God thanks. Look, I am ascending to the one who sent me. Write down all these things which have happened to you.” And he ascended.
21 And they got up and could no longer see him. 22 And they blessed and praised God and they gave him thanks for these great works of his and for how the angel of God had appeared to them.
Texts in conversation
Compare Tobit 12:9 and Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 3:30
Deuterocanon
Summary
Passages
Tobit 12:9
DeuterocanonJesus Ben Sira, Sirach 3:30
Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, EcclesiasticusThe sinner will pile sin on sin. 28 There is no cure for the disaster that strikes the proud,
for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him. 29 The heart of the prudent will understand a proverb.
A wise man desires the ear of a listener. 30 Water will quench a flaming fire,
and giving to the poor will make atonement for sins. 31 Anyone who repays kindness thinks of what comes afterward.
When he falls, he will find support.
References
References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.
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