APOCRYPHA TOBIT 5 & 6

Tobit 5

Tobias sent to Rages. 3 He meets with the Angel Raphael, which did conduct him.

TOBIAS then answered and said, Father, I will do all things which thou hast commanded me.

But how can I receive the silver, seeing I know him too?

Then he gave him the hand writing, and said unto him, Seek thee a man, which many go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages, and go and receive the money.

Therefore when he was gone to seek a man, he found Rapael the Angel.

But he knew not, and said unto him, May I go with thee into the land of Media? and know thou those places well?

To whom the Angel said, I will go with thee: for I have remained with our brother Gabael.

Then Tobias said to them, Tarry for me, til I tell my father.

Then he said unto him, Go, and try 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 faithful to go with thee.

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

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

To whom he said, Do you seek a stock or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know thy kindred and thy name.

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

Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome: be not now angry with me, because I have inquired to know thy kindred, and thy family: for thou art my brother of an honest and good stock: for I knew Ananias and Ionathas, sons of that great Samaias: for we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the first born, and the tenths of the fruits, and they were not deceived with the error of our brethren: my brother thou art a great stock.

But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? with thou a grote [coin]* a day and things necessary, as to mine own son?

Yea, moreover if ye return safe, I will add some things to the wages.

So they agreed. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and go you on God’s Name. And when his son had prepared all things for the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God which dwells in heaven, prosper your journey, and the Angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both and departed, and the dog of the young man with them.

But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand to minister unto us?

Would to God we had not laid money upon money, but that it had been cast away in respect of our son.

For that which God hath given us to live with, does suffice us.

Then said Tobit, Be not careful, my sister: he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.

For the good Angel doth keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.

Then she made an end of weeping.

Tobit 6

2 Tobias delivered from the fish. 8 Raphael shows him certain medicines. 10 He conducts him toward Sarra.

AND as they went on their journey, they came at night to the flood Tygris, and there abode.

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

Then the Angel said unto him, Take the fish. And the young man took the fish, and drew it to land.

To whom the Angel said, Cut the fish, and take the heart, and the liver, and the gall, and put them up surely.

So the young man did as the Angel commanded him: and when they had roasted the fish, they ate it: then they both went on their way, til they came to Ecbatane.

Then the young man said to the Angel, Brother Azarias, what avails the heart, and the liver, and the gall of the fish?

And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must make a perfume of this before the man or the woman, and he shall be more vexed.

As for the gall, anoint a man that has whiteness in his eyes, and he shall be healed.

And when they were come near to Rages,

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

For to thee doeth the right of her pertain, seeing thou alone art remnant of his kindred,

And the maid is fair and wise: now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father, that we may make the marriage when we are returned from Rages: for I know that Raguel can not marry her to another according to the Law of Moses: else he should deserve death, because the right doth rather appertain to thee then to any other man.

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:

And I am the only begotten son of my father, and I am afraid, lest I go into her, and die as the other: for a wicked spirit loves her, which hurts nobody, but those which come into 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.

Then the Angel said unto him, Doest thou not remember the precepts which thy father gave thee, that thou should marry a wife of thine own kindred? wherefore hear me, o my brother: for she shall be thy wife, neither be you careful of the evil spirit: for this same night shall she be given thee in marriage.

And when thou shalt go into thy bed, thou shalt take of the hot coals for perfumes, and make perfume of the heart, and of the liver of the fish,

Which if the spirit do smell, he will flee away, and never come again anymore: 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 keep her, and she shall go with thee: moreover I suppose that she shall bear three children: now when Tobias had heard these things, he loved her, and his heart was effectually joined to her.