Tobit 5

1 Then Tobias answered and said to him, “Father, I will do everything you have commanded me. 2 But how can I get the money? I do not know the man.” 3 So his father gave him the written bond and said to him, “Find yourself a man who will travel with you, and I will pay him wages while I am still alive. Then go and get the money.” [a]

4 So he went out to look for a man, and he found Raphael, who was a messenger, and he did not know it. [b] 5 And he said to him, “Can I go with you to Rages in Media? And do you know your way about those places?” [c] 6 And the messenger said to him, “I will go with you. I know the road, and I have lodged with our brother Gabael.” 7 Then Tobias said to him, “Wait for me. I will go and tell my father.” 8 And he said to him, “Go, and do not delay.”

9 So he went in and said to his father, “Look, I have found someone who will travel with me.” And his father said, “Call him to me, so that I may learn what tribe he is from, and whether he is trustworthy to travel with you.” [d] 10 So he called him, and he came in, and they greeted each other.

11 And Tobit said to him, “Brother, from what tribe and what family are you? Show me.” 12 And he said to him, “Is it a tribe and a family you are looking for, or a hired man to travel with your son?” And Tobit said to him, “I want to know your line and your name, brother.” 13 And he said, “I am Azariah son of Hananiah the great, one of your own brothers.” [e]

14 And Tobit said to him, “May you come in good health, brother. And do not be angry with me for wanting to learn your tribe and your family. It turns out you are my brother, from a fine and good line. For I knew Hananiah and Jathan, the sons of Shemaiah the great, when we went up together to Jerusalem to bow down, bringing the firstborn and the tenths of the produce; and they were not led astray in the straying of our brothers. You are from a good root, brother. [f] 15 But tell me what wages I am to give you. Half a piece of silver a day, and whatever you need, the same as for my own son? [g] 16 And I will add still more to your wages, if the two of you come back safe and well.”

17 And so they agreed. Then he said to Tobias, “Get yourself ready for the road, and may the two of you have a good journey.” And his son got ready what he needed for the road. And his father said to him, “Go with the man. May God, who dwells in heaven, prosper your journey, and may his messenger travel with you.” So the two of them went out to go, and the boy’s dog went with them.

18 But Anna his mother wept, and she said to Tobit, “Why have you sent our child away? Is he not the staff of our hand, going in and going out before us? 19 Do not let money be heaped on money; let it count as sweepings beside our child. [h] 20 For what the Lord has given us to live on is enough for us.” 21 And Tobit said to her, “Do not worry, sister. He will come back safe and well, and your eyes will see him. 22 For a good messenger will travel with him; his road will go well, and he will come back safe and well.” 23 And she stopped weeping.