Tobit, 6

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

1. Anna then stopped crying.

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

2. Raphael and Tobias continued their journey and that evening they reached the River Tigris. They spent the night there.

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

3. As Tobias went to wash his feet, a big fish rose out of the river and tried to swallow Tobias' foot.

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

4. Raphael said to Tobias, "Catch that fish!" Tobias seized the fish and drew it to land.

5. 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.

5. Raphael then said to Tobias, "Open the fish. Take out its heart, liver and gall and put them away carefully. Throw away the intestines. The gall, the heart and the liver of this fish are useful remedies."

6. 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?

6. Tobias did as the angel told him. He opened up the fish, kept the gall, the heart and the liver; then they cooked the fish and ate it.

7. 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.

7. Then the two of them continued their journey until they reached Media. Tobias said to Raphael, "Friend Azarias, what remedy is there in the heart, the liver and the gall of the fish?"

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

8. Raphael said to him, "If you burn the heart and the liver in the presence of a man or a woman who is tormented by a devil or an evil spirit, their torments will cease.

9. And when they were come near to Rages,

9. As for the gall, if you smear it on a man whose eyes are covered with a white film, his eyes will be cured."

10. 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.

10. When they had entered Media and were already approaching Ecbatana,

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

11. Raphael said to Tobias, "Friend, we shall spend the night at the house of Ragouel. He is a relative of yours. He has no son, just an only daughter called Sara.

12. 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.

12. I will speak to him and ask that he give her to you as your wife.

13. 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.

13. You are the one who is nearest of kin and free to marry her. You alone are of her tribe and you should inherit her father's goods. The girl is wise, good, courageous and very beautiful and her father is a good man. So listen, friend, tonight we will marry you to her. When we return from Rages, we shall take her with us and introduce her into your home. She belongs to you rather than to any other man according to the Law of Moses, and any trespasser would die. So I know that Ragouel will not give her to any other man.

14. 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.

14. Then Tobias said to Raphael, "Friend Azarias, I have heard that this girl has been given in marriage to seven husbands and they all died in the bridal chamber. I am my father's only son and I fear that once I have entered the room I shall die, like all those before me, because a demon loves her, and he harms those who approach her.

15. 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.

15. Well, I fear death. I also fear causing my father and mother to die of grief on my account, for they have no other son to bury them."

16. 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:

16. The angel said to Tobias, "Do you not remember your father's advice to marry a woman of your own tribe? Well, listen to me, my friend. She will be your wife. Do not worry about the demon as this very night she will become your wife.

17. 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.

17. "When you enter the wedding chamber you will take some glowing embers of incense, and you will put on top of them part of the heart and liver of the fish.

18.

18. As soon as the fire begins to smoke, the demon will smell it and flee never to return. And when you go to Sara, stand up together and call on the all-merciful God. He will keep you safe because he has compassion. Do not be afraid, because from all eternity Sara has been destined to be your wife. You will save her, and she will go with us. And I am sure that she will bear you children."

19.

19. When Tobias heard Raphael's words, he loved Sara and his heart became strongly attached to her.