1 Tobias then replied to his father Tobit, 'Father, I shall do everything you have told me.
2 But how am I to recover the silver from him? He does not know me, nor I him. What token am I to give him for him to believe me and hand the silver over to me? And besides, I do not know what roads to take for this journey into Media.'
3 Then Tobit answered his son Tobias, 'Each of us set his signature to a note which I cut in two, so that each could keep half of it. I took one piece, and put the other with the silver. To think it was twenty years ago I left this silver in his keeping! And now, my child, find a trustworthy travelling companion-- we shall pay him for his time until you arrive back-- and then go and collect the silver from Gabael.'
4 Tobias went out to look for a man who knew the way to go with him to Media. Outside he found Raphael the angel standing facing him, though he did not guess he was an angel of God.
5 He said, 'Where do you come from, friend?' The angel replied, 'I am one of your brother Israelites; I have come to these parts to look for work.' Tobias asked, 'Do you know the road to Media?'
6 The other replied, 'Certainly I do, I have been there many times; I have knowledge and experience of all the ways. I have often been to Media and stayed with Gabael one of our kinsmen who lives at Rhages in Media. It usually takes two full days to get from Ecbatana to Rhages; Rhages lies in the mountains, and Ecbatana is in the middle of the plain.'
7 Tobias said, 'Wait for me, friend, while I go and tell my father; I need you to come with me; I shall pay you for your time.'
8 The other replied, 'Good, I shall wait; but do not be long.'
9 Tobias went in and told his father that he had found one of their brother Israelites. And the father said, 'Fetch him in; I want to find out about his family and tribe. I must see if he is going to be a reliable companion for you, my child.' So Tobias went out and called him,'Friend,' he said,'my father wants you,'
10 The angel came into the house; Tobit greeted him, and the other answered, wishing him happiness in plenty. Tobit replied, 'Can I ever be happy again? I am a blind man; I no longer see the light of heaven; I am sunk in darkness like the dead who see the light no more. I am a man buried alive; I hear people speak but cannot see them.' The angel said,' Take comfort; before long God will heal you. Take comfort.' Tobit said, 'My son Tobias wishes to go to Media. Will you join him as his guide? Brother, I will pay you.' He replied,' I am willing to go with him; I know all the ways; I have often been to Media, I have crossed all its plains and mountains, and I know all its roads.'
11 Tobit said, 'Brother, what family and what tribe do you belong to? Will you tell me, brother?'
12 'What does my tribe matter to you?' the angel said. Tobit said, 'I want to be quite sure whose son you are and what your name is.'
13 The angel said, 'I am Azarias, son of the great Ananias, one of your kinsmen.'
14 'Welcome and greetings, brother! Do not be offended at my wanting to know the name of your family; I find you are my kinsman of a good and honourable line. I know Ananias and Nathan, the two sons of the great Shemaiah. They used to go to Jerusalem with me; we have worshipped together there and they have never strayed from the right path. Your brothers are worthy men; you come of good stock; welcome.'
15 He went on, 'I engage you at a drachma a day, with the same expenses as my own son's. Complete the journey with my son
16 and I shall go beyond the agreed wage.' The angel replied, 'I shall complete the journey with him. Do not be afraid. On the journey outward all will be well; on the journey back all will be well; the road is safe.'
17 Tobit said, 'Blessings on you, brother!' Then he turned to his son. 'My child', he said, 'prepare what you need for the journey, and set off with your brother. May God in heaven protect you abroad and bring you both back to me safe and sound! May his angel go with you and protect you, my child!' Tobias left the house to set out and kissed his father and mother. Tobit said,' A happy journey!'
18 His mother burst into tears and said to Tobit, 'Why must you send my child away? Is he not the staff of our hands, as he goes about before us?
19 Surely money is not the only thing that matters? Surely it is not as precious as our child?
20 The way of life God had already given us was good enough.'
21 He said, 'Do not think such thoughts. Going away and coming back, all will be well with our child. You will see for yourself when he comes back safe and sound! Do not think such thoughts; do not worry on their account, my sister.
22 A good angel will go with him; he will have a good journey and come back to us well and happy.'
Versículos relacionados com Tobit, 5:
Tobias 5 tells the story of Tobias and his guide, which is revealed as the angel Rafael. They are on their way to media to recover money that Tobias had left with his relative Gabael. On the way, they find Tobit's father, the blind Tobias, who, unknowingly, is asking his help to recover a debt. Here are five verses related to the topics covered in Tobias 5:
Deuteronomy 15:7-8: "If there is any needy among you, one of your brothers in any city of the earth that the Lord, your God, is giving you, do not harden your heart or close your hand to your needy brother On the contrary, open his hand generously and lend him what he needs. " This verse talks about helping the needy and is relevant to Tobias's meeting with Tobit's father, who asks his help to recover a debt.
Proverbs 14:21: "He who despises his neighbor sins, but how happy it is who treats the needy with kindness!" This verse highlights the importance of treating those in need with kindness and can be applied to Tobias's attitude towards Tobit's father.
Isaiah 58:7: "Isn't it sharing your bread with the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless poor, dressing the nude, and not refusing help to others?" This verse again emphasizes the importance of helping the needy and can be applied to Tobias with Tobit's father.
Matthew 5:42: "Give those who ask you, and do not turn your back on the one who wants to borrow something." This verse talks about helping others without expecting anything in return, which is relevant to Tobias's attitude towards Tobit's father.
1 Timothy 5:8: "If anyone does not take care of his relatives, and especially those of his own family, he has denied faith and is worse than a disbelief." This verse highlights the importance of taking care of family members and can be applied to the role of Tobias to help his father, even if he does not know that Tobias is his son.
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