Raphael Becomes the Guide for Tobias

1 Then answered Tobias and said to Tobit his father, All things, whatever you have commanded me, I will do, father. 2 But how shall I be able to fetch it from him, seeing he does not know me nor do I know him? What token shall I give him that he may recognize me and trust me and give me the money? And the roads to Media I do not know, to journey there. 3 Then answered Tobit and said to Tobias his son, His note of hand he gave me and a note of hand I gave him and I parted it in two and we took to each of us a part, and I put it with the money, and now lo, it is twenty years since I left this money in trust. And now, child, seek you a trusty man which shall go with you, and we will give him wages, until you return: and fetch you this money from him. 4 And Tobias went out to seek a man who would go with him into Media and knew the way well; and he went out and found Raphael, the angel, standing before him. And he did not know that he was an angel of God, 5 and said to him, Where are you from, young man? And he said to him, Of the children of Israel your kindred; and I have come here to work. And he said to him, Know you the way to go to Media? 6 And he said to him, Yes, I have often been there, and I know it well and I know all the ways; many times did I go to Media and lodged with Gabael our kinsman, who dwells in Rages of Media; and it is two regular days’ journey from Ecbatana to Rages; for it lies in the hill country, but Ecbatana in the middle of the plain. 7 And he said to him, Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father; for I need that you go with me and I will give you your hire. 8 And he said to him, Behold, I will wait, only do not delay. 9 And Tobias went in and told Tobit his father and said to him, Behold, I have found a man of our kindred the children of Israel. And he said to him, Call me the man, that I may know what is his family and of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with you, child. 10 And Tobias went forth, and called him and said to him, Young man, my father calls you. And he came in to him, and Tobit saluted him first. And he said to him, Much cheer to you! And Tobit answered and said to him, What cheer have I any more, who am a man impotent in the eyes, and I do not behold the light of heaven, but lie in darkness like the dead which no more see the light; while I live I am among the dead; the voice of men I hear, and themselves I do not behold. And he said to him, Be of good cheer! it is near with God to heal you; be of good cheer! And Tobit said to him, My son Tobias wishes to go to Media; can you go with him and direct him? And I will give you your hire, brother. And he said to him, I shall be able to go with him, and I know all the ways, and often have I gone to Media and passed through all its plains and mountains, and all its ways I know. 11 And he said to him, Brother, of what family are you, and out of what tribe? Show me, brother. 12 And he said, What need have you of a tribe? And he said to him, I would know truly of what you are, brother, and what your name. 13 And he said to him, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, of your kinsmen. 14 And he said to him, Welcome and safety, brother; and do not be bitter towards me, brother, because I wished to know the truth and your family. And you happen to be a kinsman, and you are of a noble and good lineage: I knew Ananias and Nathan, the two sons of Semelias the great, and they used to go with me to Jerusalem and worship with me there and they did not go astray. Your kindred are good men; you are of a good stock, and I bid you welcome. 15 And he said to him, I give you a drachma a day as wages, and those things that be necessary for you, as to my son; 16 and go with my son, and I will add something to your wages. And he said to him, I will go with him, and fear you not; We shall go safe and return safe to you, because the way is secure. 17 And he said to him, Blessing befall you, brother! And he called his son, and said to him, Child, prepare what is needful for the journey and go forth with your kinsman. And God which is in heaven preserve you there and restore you to me in safety and his angel accompany you with deliverance, child. And he went forth to go upon his journey; and he kissed his father and mother, and Tobit said to him, Farewell. 18 And his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why is it that you have sent away my child? Is he not the staff of our hand, and does he not go in and out before us? 19 Do not let money be added to money: but let it be a ransom for our child. 20 As the Lord has given us to live, so does it suffice us. 21 And he said to her, Do not be troubled; our child shall go in peace, and in peace come to us and your eyes shall see in the day when he shall come to you in peace. Do not be troubled: do not fear for them, sister; 22 for a good angel shall go with him,⁠a and his journey shall be prospered, and he shall return in peace.