Homeward Journey

1When they came near to Kaserin, which is opposite Nineveh, Raphael said, 2‘You are aware of how we left your father. 3Let us run ahead of your wife and prepare the house while they are still on the way.’ 4As they went on together Raphael11.4 Gk he said to him, ‘Have the gall ready.’ And the dog11.4 Codex Sinaiticus reads And the Lord went along behind them.

5Meanwhile, Anna sat looking intently down the road by which her son would come. 6When she caught sight of him coming, she said to his father, ‘Look, your son is coming, and the man who went with him!’

Tobit's Sight Restored

7Raphael said to Tobias, before he had approached his father, ‘I know that his eyes will be opened. 8Smear the gall of the fish on his eyes; the medicine will make the white films shrink and peel off from his eyes, and your father will regain his sight and see the light.’

9Then Anna ran up to her son and threw her arms around him, saying, ‘Now that I have seen you, my child, I am ready to die.’ And she wept. 10Then Tobit got up and came stumbling out through the courtyard door. Tobias went up to him, 11with the gall of the fish in his hand, and holding him firmly, he blew into his eyes, saying, ‘Take courage, father.’ With this he applied the medicine on his eyes, 12and it made them smart.11.12 Lat: Meaning of Gk uncertain 13Next, with both his hands he peeled off the white films from the corners of his eyes. Then Tobit11.13 Gk he saw his son and11.13 Other ancient authorities lack saw his son and threw his arms around him, 14and he wept and said to him, ‘I see you, my son, the light of my eyes!’ Then he said,

‘Blessed be God,

and blessed be his great name,

and blessed be all his holy angels.

May his holy name be blessed11.14 Codex Sinaiticus reads May his great name be upon us and blessed be all the angels

throughout all the ages.

15Though he afflicted me,

he has had mercy upon me.11.15 Lat: Gk lacks this line

Now I see my son Tobias!’

So Tobit went in rejoicing and praising God at the top of his voice. Tobias reported to his father that his journey had been successful, that he had brought the money, that he had married Raguel's daughter Sarah, and that she was, indeed, on her way there, very near to the gate of Nineveh.

16Then Tobit, rejoicing and praising God, went out to meet his daughter-in-law at the gate of Nineveh. When the people of Nineveh saw him coming, walking along in full vigour and with no one leading him, they were amazed. 17Before them all, Tobit acknowledged that God had been merciful to him and had restored his sight. When Tobit met Sarah the wife of his son Tobias, he blessed her saying, ‘Come in, my daughter, and welcome. Blessed be your God who has brought you to us, my daughter. Blessed be your father and your mother, blessed be my son Tobias, and blessed be you, my daughter. Come in now to your home, and welcome, with blessing and joy. Come in, my daughter.’ So on that day there was rejoicing among all the Jews who were in Nineveh. 18Ahikar and his nephew Nadab were also present to share Tobit's joy. With merriment they celebrated Tobias's wedding feast for seven days, and many gifts were given to him.11.18 Other ancient authorities lack parts of this sentence