Tobit, 10

1. Every day, meanwhile, Tobit kept reckoning the days required for the journey there and the journey back. The full number went by, and still his son had not come.

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

2. Then he thought, 'I hope he has not been delayed there! I hope Gabael is not dead, so that no one will give him the silver.'

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

3. And he began to worry.

3. Therefore he was very sorry.

4. His wife Anna kept saying, 'My son is dead! He is no longer among the living!' And she began to weep and mourn over her son. She kept saying,

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

5. 'Alas! I should never have let you leave me, my child, you, the light of my eyes.'

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

6. And Tobit would reply, 'Hush, my sister! Do not worry. All is well with him. Something has happened there to delay them. His companion is someone we can trust, one of our kinsmen at that. Do not lose heart, my sister.

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

7. He will soon be here.' But all she would say was, 'Leave me alone; do not try to deceive me. My child is dead.' And every day she would go abruptly out to watch the road by which her son had left. She trusted no eyes but her own. Once the sun had set she would come home again, only to weep and moan all night, unable to sleep. After the fourteen days of feasting that Raguel had sworn to keep for his daughter's marriage, Tobias came to him and said,' Let me go now; my father and mother must have lost all hope of seeing me again. So I beg you father, to let me return to my father's house; I have told you the plight he was in when I left him.'

7. 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.

8. Raguel said to Tobias, 'Stay, my son, stay with me. I shall send messengers to your father Tobit to give him news of you.'

8. 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.

9. But Tobias pressed him, 'No, I beg you to let me go back to my father's house.'

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

10. Without more ado, Raguel committed Sarah his bride into his keeping. He gave Tobias half his wealth, slaves, men and women, oxen and sheep, donkeys and camels, clothes and money and household things.

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

11. And so he let them leave happily. To Tobias he said these parting words, 'Good health, my son, and a happy journey! May the Lord of heaven be gracious to you and to your wife Sarah! I hope to see your children before I die.'

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

12. To his daughter Sarah he said, 'Go now to your father-in-law's house, since henceforward they are as much your parents as those who gave you life. Go in peace, my daughter, I hope to hear nothing but good of you, as long as I live.' He said goodbye to them and let them go. Edna in her turn said to Tobias, 'Dear son and brother, may it please the Lord to bring you back again! I hope to live long enough to see the children of you and my daughter Sarah before I die. In the sight of the Lord I give my daughter into your keeping. Never make her unhappy as long as you live. Go in peace, my son. Henceforward I am your mother and Sarah is your sister. May we all live happily for the rest of our lives!' And she kissed them both and saw them set out happily.

12. 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.

13. Tobias left Raguel's house with his mind at ease. In his gladness he blessed the Lord of heaven and earth, the King of all that is, for the happy issue of his travels. He gave this blessing to Raguel and his wife Edna, 'May it be my happiness to honour you for the rest of my life!'

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