Tobias

16The prayers of both of them were heard by the great God in all his glory.

So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God.

Note"Glory" means how great and shining God is.

17And Raphael was sent to heal them both. He was to scrape the white film off Tobit's eyes. He was to give Sara, the daughter of Raguel, to Tobias, the son of Tobit, as his wife. He was also to tie up Asmodeus, the evil spirit. Sara belonged to Tobias by family right. At that very same time, Tobit came home and went into his house. And Sara, the daughter of Raguel, came down from her upstairs room.

And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.

NoteRaphael is an angel, a messenger God sends to help people. A white film is a cloudy skin over the eye that stops a person from seeing. To tie up the evil spirit means to stop him from hurting anyone. "By family right" means Tobias was her closest relative, so the family rules said he should marry her. Houses then often had a room built on the flat roof.

1On that day Tobit remembered the money. He had left it in Gabael's care in Rages of Media.

In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media,

NoteMedia was a country far away, in what is now Iran. Rages was a city there. Tobit had left his silver with a friend to keep safe.

2He said to himself, "I have asked to die. Why not call my son Tobias? Then I can tell him about the money before I die."

And said with himself, I have wished for death; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to him of the money before I die?

NoteTobit was old and blind. He was so sad that he had asked God to let him die.

3So he called him and said, "My son, when I am dead, bury me. Do not look down on your mother. Honor her all your life. Do what makes her glad. Do not make her sad."

And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am dead, bury me; and despise not thy mother, but honour her all the days of thy life, and do that which shall please her, and grieve her not.

NoteIn Tobit's time, burying someone who died was a great act of love. Tobit had done this for others many times.

4"Remember, my son, she faced many dangers for you before you were born. When she dies, bury her beside me in one grave."

Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee, when thou wast in her womb: and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave.

NoteLong ago, having a baby was dangerous for a mother. Tobit means his wife risked her life for Tobias.

5"My son, think about the Lord our God every day of your life. Do not choose to sin or to break his commands. Do what is right as long as you live. Do not follow ways that are wrong."

My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days, and let not thy will be set to sin, or to transgress his commandments: do uprightly all thy life long, and follow not the ways of unrighteousness.

NoteCommands are God's rules. He gave them to his people long ago.

6"If you do what is true, things will go well for you. They will go well for all who live rightly."

For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly.

7"Give to poor people from what you own. When you give, do not give with a greedy eye. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor. Then God's face will not turn away from you."

Give alms of thy substance; and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, neither turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee.

NoteThe old word here is "alms." Alms means money or food given to poor people. A greedy eye means wishing you could keep it instead.

8"If you have much, give much. If you have only a little, do not be afraid to give from that little."

If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly: if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little:

9"In this way you store up good treasure for yourself. It will be there on the day you need it."

For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity.

10"Giving to the poor saves people from death. It does not let you go into the dark."

Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness.

Note"The dark" here means death and the grave.

11"Giving to the poor is a good gift. It is good for everyone who gives it, in the sight of the Most High."

For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High.

Note"The Most High" is a name for God. It means he is over everything.

12"Stay away from all sexual sin, my son. Most of all, marry a woman from your father's people. Do not marry a woman from outside, who is not from your father's tribe. We come from the prophets, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember, my son, that our fathers long ago all married women from their own families. They were blessed in their children. Their children's children will receive the land."

Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to wife, which is not of thy father’s tribe: for we are the children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, even that they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land.

NoteSexual sin means using your body in ways God said are wrong. A tribe was a big family group. God's people had twelve tribes. A prophet was someone who told people what God said. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived long before Tobit. They were the first fathers of God's people.

13"So now, my son, love your brothers and sisters. Do not look down on them in your heart. They are the sons and daughters of your own people. Do not scorn them by refusing to marry one of them. Pride brings ruin and much trouble. Being good for nothing brings decay and great need. Being good for nothing is the mother of famine."

Now therefore, my son, love thy brethren, and despise not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy people, in not taking a wife of them: for in pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want: for lewdness is the mother of famine.

Note"Good for nothing" means being lazy and careless about doing right. Famine is a time when there is not enough food. People go hungry.

14"If a man works for you, do not keep his pay. Hand it to him right away. If you serve God, he will pay you back. Be careful, my son, in everything you do. Be wise in the way you live."

Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for thee, tarry with thee, but give him it out of hand: for if thou serve God, he will also repay thee: be circumspect my son, in all things thou doest, and be wise in all thy conversation.

NoteWorkers were paid at the end of each day. They needed that money to buy food that same night.

15"Do to no one what you hate. Do not drink wine until you are drunk. Do not let drunkenness go with you on your way."

Do that to no man which thou hatest: drink not wine to make thee drunken: neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey.

Note"Do to no one what you hate" means treat people the way you want to be treated. Drunk means drinking so much wine that your mind stops working right.

16"Give some of your bread to hungry people. Give some of your clothes to those who have none. Give to the poor from all you have. Do not give with a greedy eye."

Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked; and according to thine abundance give alms: and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.

17"Pour out your bread at the burial of good people. Give nothing to the wicked."

Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.

NotePeople brought food to the graves of those who died. The food was shared with poor people there. It was a way to honor the one who died.

18"Ask advice from every person who is wise. Do not turn down any advice that helps."

Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable.

19"Bless the Lord your God at all times. Ask him to make your ways straight. Ask that all your paths and plans go well. Not every nation has good advice. But the Lord himself gives all good things. He brings low whoever he wants, in the way he wants. So now, my son, remember my commands. Do not let them be wiped out of your mind."

Bless the Lord thy God alway, and desire of him that thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper: for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, neither let them be put out of thy mind.

Note"Make your ways straight" means help you choose the right path. "He brings low" means he makes proud people humble.

20"Now I am telling you about ten talents of silver. I left them with Gabael son of Gabrias at Rages in Media."

And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media.

NoteA talent was a heavy weight of silver. One talent was more money than a worker earned in many years. Ten talents was a great deal of money.

21"Do not be afraid, my son, because we have become poor. You have much wealth if you honor God. Turn away from all sin. Do what pleases him."

And fear not, my son, that we are made poor: for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is pleasing in his sight.

NoteTo honor God here means to love and respect him. It does not mean being scared of him.

1Tobias answered his father. He said, "Father, I will do everything you told me.

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

NoteTobit is the father, and Tobias is his son. Tobit cannot see.

2But how can I get the money? I do not know the man."

But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not?

NoteLong ago Tobit left money with a man in a faraway town. Tobias has never met that man.

3So his father gave him the written paper. He said, "Look for a man to go with you, while I am still alive. I will pay him. Then go and get the money."

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

NoteThe written paper showed that the money belonged to Tobit. It worked like a receipt.

4So Tobias went to look for a man. He found Raphael, who was an angel.

Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel.

NoteAn angel is a messenger God sends to help people.

5But Tobias did not know that. He said to him, "Can you go with me to Rages? Do you know those places well?"

But he knew not; and he said unto him, Canst thou go with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well?

NoteRages was a city very far away. Walking there took many days.

6The angel said to him, "I will go with you. I know the way well. I have stayed at the house of our brother Gabael."

To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.

NoteHere brother means someone from the same people. Gabael was not really his brother.

7Then Tobias said to him, "Wait for me. I will go tell my father."

Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father.

8The man said to him, "Go, and do not be slow." So Tobias went in to his father. He said, "Look, I have found someone who will go with me." His father said, "Call him to me. I want to know what tribe he is from. I want to know if he is safe to travel with you."

Then he said unto him, Go and tarry 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 a trusty man to go with thee.

NoteA tribe was a big family group. The people of Israel had twelve tribes.

9So Tobias called him, and the man came in. The two of them greeted each other.

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

10Then Tobit said to him, "Brother, tell me what tribe and family you come from."

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

11The man said to him, "Are you looking for a tribe and a family? Or for a worker to go with your son?" Then Tobit said to him, "Brother, I want to know your family and your name."

To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name.

12Then he said, "I am Azarias. My father was Ananias the great. I am one of your own people."

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

NoteCalling a man great meant people looked up to him.

13Then Tobit said, "Welcome, brother. Please do not be angry with me. I only asked about your tribe and your family. You are my brother, and your family is good and honest. I knew Ananias and Jonathas, the sons of the great Samaias. We went to Jerusalem together to worship. We gave the firstborn animals there. We gave a tenth of what our fields grew. Those men did not go the wrong way like others of our people did. My brother, you come from good people.

Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother, thou art of a good stock.

NoteJerusalem was the city with God's temple, the special place for worship. Giving the firstborn animals meant giving God the first baby animal born. Giving a tenth meant giving one basket out of every ten.

14But tell me, what pay should I give you? Will you take one drachm a day? I will also give you what you need, just like my own son.

But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?

NoteA drachm was a small silver coin. It was about one day's pay for a worker.

15And if you both come home safe, I will give you more than that."

Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to thy wages.

16They were both happy with this. Then Tobit said to Tobias, "Get ready for the trip. May God give you a good trip." When his son had everything ready, his father said to him, "Go with this man. May God, who lives in heaven, make your trip go well. May the angel of God travel with you." So the two of them went out. The young man's dog went with them.

So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things for the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man’s dog with them.

17But Anna his mother cried. She said to Tobit, "Why have you sent our son away? Is he not the strong stick in our hand? He goes in and out in front of us.

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

NotePeople leaned on a strong stick when they walked. Anna means her son holds them up like that.

18Do not be greedy to pile up more and more money. Next to our child, money is only trash.

Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as refuse in respect of our child.

19What the Lord has given us to live on is enough for us."

For that which the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us.

20Then Tobit said to her, "Do not worry, my sister. He will come home safe. Your own eyes will see him.

Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.

NoteHusbands sometimes called their wives sister. It was a warm, loving word.

21The good angel will travel with him. His trip will go well. He will come home safe."

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

22Then she stopped crying.

Then she made an end of weeping.

1They kept traveling. In the evening they came to the river Tigris. They stayed there for the night.

And as they went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river Tigris, and they lodged there.

NoteThe Tigris is a wide river far to the east. Travelers often stopped beside a river to sleep. There they could find water for drinking and washing.

2The young man went down to wash. A fish jumped out of the river. It was about to swallow him.

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

3Then the angel said to him, "Grab the fish." The young man took hold of the fish. He pulled it up onto the land.

Then the angel said unto him, Take the fish. And the young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land.

NoteAn angel is a messenger sent by God. This angel looks like an ordinary man. The young man, Tobias, does not know who he really is.

4The angel said to him, "Cut the fish open. Take out the heart, the liver, and the gall. Keep them safe with you."

To whom the angel said, Open the fish, and take the heart and the liver and the gall, and put them up safely.

NoteThe liver is a large soft part inside a fish. The gall is a small green sack of bitter juice near it. Long ago people saved parts like these to use as medicine.

5The young man did what the angel told him. They cooked the fish over a fire and ate it. Then the two of them went on until they came near Ecbatane.

So the young man did as the angel commanded him; and when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it: then they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatane.

NoteEcbatane was a big city far from Tobias's home. It was many days of walking away.

6Then the young man said to the angel, "Brother Azarias, what are the fish's heart and liver and gall good for?"

Then the young man said to the angel, Brother Azarias, to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish?

NoteAzarias is the name the angel is using. Tobias thinks he is just a helper he hired. Only we know he is really the angel Raphael.

7He said to him, "Here is what the heart and liver are for. If a devil or an evil spirit troubles someone, we burn them to make smoke. We hold the smoke in front of the man or the woman. Then that person will not be troubled anymore.

And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the party shall be no more vexed.

NoteA devil, or evil spirit, is a bad spirit that hurts people. Long ago many people believed that certain smells drove bad spirits away. So they burned things to make smoke that would chase them off.

8"And the gall is good for a man who has whiteness in his eyes. You rub it on his eyes, and he will be made well."

As for the gall, it is good to anoint a man that hath whiteness in his eyes, and he shall be healed.

NoteWhiteness in the eyes means a white film grows over the eye. It makes everything look cloudy. Tobias's father, Tobit, cannot see because of this.

9When they came near Rages,

And when they were come near to Rages,

NoteRages was another city, a long way past Ecbatane. Tobias was going there to pick up his father's money.

10the angel said to the young man, "Brother, today we will stay with Raguel. He is part of your family. He has one daughter, and only one. Her name is Sara. I will speak up for her, so she may be given to you as your wife.

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

NoteRaguel is a man from Tobias's own family, far from home. Sara is his daughter. Long ago a young man did not ask a girl to marry him himself. Someone spoke to her father first, and her father decided.

11"The right to her belongs to you. You are the only one from her family.

For to thee doth the right of her appertain, seeing thou only art of her kindred.

NoteIn those days, land and money stayed inside one family. Sara has no brothers, so she must marry a relative. Then her family's land will not be lost to strangers. Tobias is her closest relative, so he has the first chance.

12"The girl is lovely and wise. Now listen to me. I will speak to her father. When we come back from Rages, we will hold the wedding. I know that Raguel cannot give her to any other man. The law of Moses says so. If he did, he would deserve to die. The right to what her family owns belongs to you, more than to anyone else."

And the maid is fair and wise: now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father; and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage: for I know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the law of Moses, but he shall be guilty of death, because the right of inheritance doth rather appertain to thee than to any other.

NoteThe law of Moses is the set of rules God gave his people long ago. Moses was the leader who brought those rules to them. The rules said the family's land had to stay in the family.

13Then the young man answered the angel, "Brother Azarias, I have heard about this girl. She has been given to seven men. They all died in the room where the bride waits.

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.

NoteThe room where the bride waits is a special room. It is made ready for a new husband and wife on their wedding night. Seven men had already died in that room.

14"And I am my father's only son. I am afraid. If I go to her, I may die like the men before me. An evil spirit loves her. It hurts no one but the men who come to her. So I am afraid that I will die too. Then my father and my mother would go down to the grave in sorrow because of me. They have no other son to bury them."

And now I am the only son of my father, and I am afraid, lest if I go in unto her, I die, as the other before: for a wicked spirit loveth her, which hurteth no body, but those which come unto 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.

NoteChildren were expected to bury their parents when the parents died. It was one of the most important jobs a son had. Tobias is the only son, so no one else could do it for them.

15Then the angel said to him, "Do you not remember the rules your father gave you? He told you to marry a wife from your own family. So listen to me, my brother. She will be given to you as your wife. Do not think about the evil spirit. This very night she will be given to you in marriage.

Then the angel said unto him, Dost thou not remember the precepts which thy father gave thee, that thou shouldest marry a wife of thine own kindred? wherefore hear me, O my brother; for she shall be given thee to wife; and make thou no reckoning of the evil spirit; for this same night shall she be given thee in marriage.

NoteTobias's father told him to marry someone from his own family. Long ago people often married a cousin or another relative. That kept the family and its land together.

16"When you come into the room where the bride waits, take the ashes of the incense. Lay some of the fish's heart and liver on them. Make smoke with it.

And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber, thou shalt take the ashes of perfume, and shalt lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish, and shalt make a smoke with it:

NoteIncense is a sweet smelling thing people burned, like a candle for the nose. The soft ashes were left behind after it burned. Tobias will lay the fish parts on those hot ashes.

17"The devil will smell it and run away. He will never come back again. But when you go to her, both of you get up and pray to God, who is kind. He will feel sorry for you and keep you safe. Do not be afraid. She was set apart for you from the beginning. You will keep her safe, and she will go with you. And I think she will have children with you." When Tobias heard these things, he loved her. His heart was joined to her strongly.

And the devil shall smell it, and flee away, and never come again any more: 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 preserve her, and she shall go with thee. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee children. Now when Tobias had heard these things, he loved her, and his heart was effectually joined to her.

NoteSet apart for you from the beginning means God chose her for you long ago. The angel is telling Tobias this marriage was always meant to happen.

1They came to the city of Ecbatana. They went to the house of Raguel. Sara came out to meet them. They greeted each other. Then she brought them inside the house.

And when they were come to Ecbatane, they came to the house of Raguel, and Sara met them: and after they had saluted one another, she brought them into the house.

NoteEcbatana was a city far away from Tobias's home. Getting there took many days of walking.

2Raguel said to his wife Edna, "This young man looks so much like my cousin Tobit!"

Then said Raguel to Edna his wife, How like is this young man to Tobit my cousin!

3Raguel asked them, "Where are you from, brothers?" They said, "We are sons of Naphtali. We are captives in the city of Nineveh."

And Raguel asked them, From whence are ye, brethren? To whom they said, We are of the sons of Nephthalim, which are captives in Nineve.

NoteNaphtali was one of the big family groups of Israel. Captives are people taken away from home by soldiers. Their families had been carried off to live in Nineveh, a city in another land.

4Then he said to them, "Do you know Tobit, our relative?" They said, "We know him." Then he asked, "Is he well?"

Then he said to them, Do ye know Tobit our kinsman? And they said, We know him. Then said he, Is he in good health?

5They said, "He is alive, and he is well." And Tobias said, "He is my father."

And they said, He is both alive, and in good health: and Tobias said, He is my father.

6Then Raguel jumped up. He kissed Tobias, and he cried.

Then Raguel leaped up, and kissed him, and wept,

7He blessed him and said, "You are the son of an honest, good man." Then he heard that Tobit was blind. That made him sad, and he cried.

And blessed him, and said unto him, Thou art the son of an honest and good man. But when he had heard that Tobit was blind, he was sorrowful, and wept.

NoteTo bless someone means to say kind words over them. You are asking God to be good to that person.

8Edna his wife cried too, and so did Sara his daughter. They welcomed their guests gladly. They killed a ram from the flock. They put plenty of food on the table. Then Tobias said to Raphael, "Brother Azarias, tell him the things you talked about on the road. Let this matter be settled."

And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept. Moreover they entertained them cheerfully; and after that they had killed a ram of the flock, they set store of meat on the table. Then said Tobias to Raphael, Brother Azarias, speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched.

NoteA ram is a grown male sheep. Killing an animal for a big meal was how people showed guests they were welcome and important.

9So he told Raguel about it. Raguel said to Tobias, "Eat and drink and be glad.

So he communicated the matter with Raguel: and Raguel said to Tobias, Eat and drink, and make merry:

10It is right for you to marry my daughter. But I will tell you the truth.

For it is meet that thou shouldest marry my daughter: nevertheless I will declare unto thee the truth.

11I have given my daughter to seven men to be their wife. Each one died on the night he came to her. But for now, be glad." But Tobias said, "I will not eat anything here. First we must agree and make a promise to each other."

I have given my daughter in marriage to seven men, who died that night they came in unto her: nevertheless for the present be merry. But Tobias said, I will eat nothing here, till we agree and swear one to another.

NoteEarlier in this story, an evil spirit killed each of Sara's husbands. That is why Raguel warns Tobias before he says yes.

12Raguel said, "Then take her now, the way it is done. You are her relative, and she is yours. May God, who is kind, make all things go well for you."

Raguel said, Then take her from henceforth according to the manner, for thou art her cousin, and she is thine, and the merciful God give you good success in all things.

NoteIn this family, a woman was supposed to marry a relative. That kept the family and its land together.

13Then he called his daughter Sara. She came to her father. He took her by the hand and gave her to Tobias to be his wife. He said, "Here, take her, as the law of Moses says. Take her home to your father." And he blessed them.

Then he called his daughter Sara, and she came to her father, and he took her by the hand, and gave her to be wife to Tobias, saying, Behold, take her after the law of Moses, and lead her away to thy father. And he blessed them;

NoteThe law of Moses was the set of rules God gave the people of Israel long ago. Moses was the leader who first gave them those rules.

14He called his wife Edna. He took a scroll and wrote out an agreement. Then he sealed it.

And called Edna his wife, and took paper, and did write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it.

NoteA scroll was a long sheet of paper rolled up. People used scrolls before there were books. To seal it, he pressed a mark into soft wax. That showed everyone the writing was real.

15Then they began to eat.

Then they began to eat.

16After that Raguel called his wife Edna. He said to her, "Sister, get the other room ready. Bring her in there."

After Raguel called his wife Edna, and said unto her, Sister, prepare another chamber, and bring her in thither.

NoteRaguel calls his wife "Sister" as a warm, loving name. She is not really his sister.

17She did what he asked her to do. She brought Sara into that room. She cried, and she received her daughter's tears. Then she said to her,

Which when she had done as he had bidden her, she brought her thither: and she wept, and she received the tears of her daughter, and said unto her,

NoteWiping away someone's tears was a way of comforting them. Edna held her daughter while she cried.

18"Take comfort, my daughter. May the Lord of heaven and earth be kind to you after this sadness. Take comfort, my daughter."

Be of good comfort, my daughter; the Lord of heaven and earth give thee joy for this thy sorrow: be of good comfort, my daughter.

1When supper was over, they brought Tobias in to Sarah.

And when they had supped, they brought Tobias in unto her.

NoteIn this story the bride and groom were walked to their own room. Sarah had been married seven times before. Every husband had died on the wedding night.

2As he went, he remembered what Raphael had told him. He took the ashes of the incense. He laid the fish's heart and liver on them. That made smoke.

And as he went, he remembered the words of Raphael, and took the ashes of the perfumes, and put the heart and the liver of the fish thereupon, and made a smoke therewith.

NoteIncense is a sweet-smelling stuff people burn, like perfume smoke. Raphael was the angel walking with Tobias. He had told Tobias to keep the fish's heart and liver for this night.

3The evil spirit smelled that smell. It ran away to the far parts of Egypt. The angel tied him up there.

The which smell when the evil spirit had smelled, he fled into the utmost parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him.

NoteAn evil spirit is a bad, unseen creature. This one had killed Sarah's other husbands. Egypt was a country very far away to the south.

4Then the two of them were shut in the room together. Tobias got up from the bed. He said, "Sister, get up. Let us pray that the Lord will be kind to us."

And after that they were both shut in together, Tobias rose out of the bed, and said, Sister, arise, and let us pray that God would have pity on us.

NoteBack then a husband could call his wife "sister." It was a warm, loving name, like "dear."

5Tobias began to pray. "Blessed are you, God of our fathers. Blessed is your holy and glorious name forever. Let the heavens bless you. Let everything you made bless you.

Then began Tobias to say, Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed is thy holy and glorious name for ever; let the heavens bless thee, and all thy creatures.

Note"Blessed are you" is an old way of saying "we praise you." "God of our fathers" means the God his family had prayed to for years and years.

6You made Adam. You gave him his wife Eve to help him and hold him up. All people came from those two. You said, it is not good for the man to be alone. Let us make him a helper like himself.

Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay: of them came mankind: thou hast said, It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself.

NoteAdam and Eve were the first man and woman in the Bible. Tobias is remembering the very first wedding.

7And now, Lord, I am not taking my sister because I want her body. I am doing what is right. Be kind to us. Let us grow old together."

And now, O Lord, I take not this my sister for lust but uprightly: therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together.

8And Sarah said with him, "Amen."

And she said with him, Amen.

Note"Amen" means "yes, let it be so." Sarah was joining her prayer to his.

9So they both slept that night. Raguel got up and went out and dug a grave.

So they slept both that night. And Raguel arose, and went and made a grave,

NoteRaguel was Sarah's father. He dug the grave in the dark because he expected Tobias to be dead by morning.

10He said, "I am afraid this one has died too."

Saying, I fear lest he also be dead.

11Then Raguel came back into his house.

But when Raguel was come into his house,

12He said to his wife Edna, "Send one of the servant girls. Let her see if he is alive. If he is not, we will bury him. No one will know."

He said unto his wife Edna. Send one of the maids, and let her see whether he be alive: if he be not, that we may bury him, and no man know it.

NoteHe wanted to bury Tobias before anyone woke up. A family felt great shame if the neighbors heard such news.

13So the servant girl opened the door and went in. She found them both asleep.

So the maid opened the door, and went in, and found them both asleep,

14She came out and told them that he was alive.

And came forth, and told them that he was alive.

15Then Raguel praised God. He said, "God, you should be praised with all pure and holy praise. Let your holy ones praise you, and everything you made. Let all your angels and all the people you chose praise you forever.

Then Raguel praised God, and said, O God, thou art worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise; therefore let thy saints praise thee with all thy creatures; and let all thine angels and thine elect praise thee for ever.

Note"Your holy ones" means the people who belong to God. "The people you chose" means Israel, the family God picked to be his own. Angels are God's messengers.

16You should be praised, because you have made me glad. The thing I was afraid of did not happen. You have been very kind to us.

Thou art to be praised, for thou hast made me joyful; and that is not come to me which I suspected; but thou hast dealt with us according to thy great mercy.

17You should be praised, because you were kind to two young people. Each one was the only child their parents had. Be kind to them, Lord. Let them live out their lives in health and gladness and mercy."

Thou art to be praised because thou hast had mercy of two that were the only begotten children of their fathers: grant them mercy, O Lord, and finish their life in health with joy and mercy.

NoteTobias and Sarah were each the only child their parents had. Parents counted on that one child to care for them when they got old.

18Then Raguel told his servants to fill the grave back in.

Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave.

19And he kept the wedding feast going for fourteen days.

And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days.

NoteA wedding party back then usually lasted seven days. Raguel made this one twice as long.

20Before the wedding days were over, Raguel had made Tobias a promise with an oath. Tobias was not to leave until the fourteen days of the wedding were done.

For before the days of the marriage were finished, Raguel had said unto him by an oath, that he should not depart till the fourteen days of the marriage were expired;

NoteAn oath is a very strong promise. People made it in God's name, and they would not break it.

21After that, Tobias could take half of all Raguel had. He could go home safely to his father. Raguel said, "He will get the rest when my wife and I are dead."

And then he should take the half of his goods, and go in safety to his father; and should have the rest when I and my wife be dead.

NoteRaguel was rich, with land and animals and money. Giving half of it now was his wedding gift to the couple.

1Then Tobias called Raphael. He said to him,

Then Tobias called Raphael, and said unto him,

NoteRaphael was an angel, a messenger sent by God. Tobias did not know that. He thought Raphael was a helper named Azarias.

2"Brother Azarias, take a servant and two camels with you. Go to Rages in Media, to Gabael. Get my money for me. And bring Gabael back to the wedding.

Brother Azarias, take with thee a servant, and two camels, and go to Rages of Media to Gabael, and bring me the money, and bring him to the wedding.

Note"Brother" here is a friendly word for a good friend. Tobias and Azarias were not really brothers. Rages was a city far away in a land called Media. Gabael was a friend of the family. He had been keeping Tobias's money safe for years. Camels are big animals that carry heavy loads on long trips.

3Raguel has made a promise. He has sworn that I must not leave.

For Raguel hath sworn that I shall not depart.

NoteRaguel was the father of Tobias's new wife. To "swear" is to make a very strong promise. Raguel had promised that Tobias would stay for the whole wedding party. Weddings then lasted many days, not just one.

4But my father is counting the days. If I stay away long, he will be very sad."

But my father counteth the days; and if I tarry long, he will be very sorry.

NoteTobias's father was waiting at home. He did not know if his son was safe. Counting the days means he checked each day and worried.

5So Raphael set off. He stayed the night with Gabael. He gave Gabael the piece of writing. Gabael brought out bags that were sealed shut. He handed them to Raphael.

So Raphael went out, and lodged with Gabael, and gave him the handwriting: who brought forth bags which were sealed up, and gave them to him.

NoteThe "handwriting" was a paper Tobias's father had written long ago. It showed that the money belonged to his family. The bags were sealed shut with wax. Nobody could open a bag without breaking the seal. That way you knew no money had been taken out.

6Early the next morning the two of them left together. They came to the wedding. And Tobias blessed his wife.

And early in the morning they went forth both together, and came to the wedding: and Tobias blessed his wife.

1Tobit, the father of Tobias, counted every day. The days for the trip passed, and they did not come.

Now Tobit his father counted every day: and when the days of the journey were expired, and they came not,

NoteTobit was blind. His son Tobias went far away to get money for the family. Tobit counted the days until his son should come home.

2Then Tobit said, "Are they being kept there? Or is Gabael dead, and no one is there to give him the money?"

Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead, and there is no man to give him the money?

NoteGabael was a friend who lived far away. Long ago there were no banks. Tobit had left his money with Gabael to keep safe.

3So he was very sad.

Therefore he was very sorry.

4Then his wife said to him, "My son is dead. He has stayed away too long." She began to cry loudly for him, and she said,

Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead, seeing he stayeth long; and she began to wail him, and said,

NoteLong ago, when someone died, people cried out loud so everyone could hear their sadness. It was how they showed love for the person.

5"Now nothing matters to me, my son. I let you go, and you are the light of my eyes."

Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let thee go, the light of mine eyes.

Note"The light of mine eyes" is a way of saying "the one I love most." She means Tobias made her days happy.

6Tobit said to her, "Be quiet. Do not worry. He is safe."

To whom Tobit said, Hold thy peace, take no care, for he is safe.

NoteThe King James says "Hold thy peace." That means "please stop saying that." Tobit was not being unkind to his wife.

7But she said, "Be quiet, and do not fool me. My son is dead." Every day she went out to the road they had taken. She ate no food in the daytime. All night long she cried for her son Tobias. She did this until the fourteen days of the wedding were over. Raguel had made a promise that Tobias would stay there that long. Then Tobias said to Raguel, "Let me go. My father and my mother do not expect to see me again."

But she said, Hold thy peace, and deceive me not; my son is dead. And she went out every day into the way which they went, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and ceased not whole nights to bewail her son Tobias, until the fourteen days of the wedding were expired, which Raguel had sworn that he should spend there. Then Tobias said to Raguel, Let me go, for my father and my mother look no more to see me.

NoteA wedding party in those days lasted many days, with food and singing. Raguel had promised his new son-in-law would stay for all fourteen days. Not eating in the daytime was a way to show deep sadness.

8But his father-in-law said to him, "Stay with me. I will send word to your father. They will tell him how you are doing."

But his father in law said unto him, Tarry with me, and I will send to thy father, and they shall declare unto him how things go with thee.

NoteA father-in-law is the father of the person you marry. Raguel was Sara's father, so he was now Tobias's father-in-law too.

9But Tobias said, "No. Let me go to my father."

But Tobias said, No; but let me go to my father.

10Then Raguel got up. He gave him Sara his wife, and half of all he owned: servants, cattle, and money.

Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money:

NoteWhen a daughter married, her father often gave gifts to help the new family start out. Cattle means cows and other farm animals, which made a family rich.

11He blessed them and sent them away. He said, "May the God of heaven give you a good trip, my children."

And he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, The God of heaven give you a prosperous journey, my children.

NoteTo bless someone is to say kind words asking God to care for them.

12He said to his daughter, "Honor your father-in-law and your mother-in-law. They are your parents now. Then I will hear good things about you." And he kissed her. Edna also said to Tobias, "May the Lord of heaven bring you home safe, my dear brother. May I see children born to you and my daughter Sara before I die. Then I can be glad before the Lord. See, I trust you with my daughter. Do not treat her badly."

And he said to his daughter, Honour thy father and thy mother in law, which are now thy parents, that I may hear good report of thee. And he kissed her. Edna also said to Tobias, The Lord of heaven restore thee, my dear brother, and grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sara before I die, that I may rejoice before the Lord: behold, I commit my daughter unto thee of special trust; where are do not entreat her evil.

NoteA wife usually went to live with her husband's family. So Raguel tells Sara that Tobias's parents are her parents now. Edna calls Tobias "my dear brother" as a warm name for someone in the family.