TubiYahu (Tobit) — 5

The Malak Rapha'AL 

1 Then Tubiyas answered his father Tubiyahu, “I will do everything that you have commanded me, father; 

2 but how can I obtain the money from Gaba'al, since he does not know me and I do not know him? What evidence am I to give him so that he will recognize and trust me, and give me the money? Also, I do not know the roads to Madia, or how to get there.” 

3 Then Tubiyahu answered his son Tubiyas, “he gave me his bond and I gave him my bond. I divided his bond in two; we each took one part, and I put one with the money. And now twenty years have passed since I left this money in his trust. So now, my son, find yourself a trustworthy man to go with you, and we will pay him wages until you return. But get back the money from Gaba'al.”

4 So Tubiyas went out to look for a man to go with him to Madia, someone who was acquainted with the way, he went out and found the Malak Raphy'AL standing in front of him; but he did not perceive that he was a Malak of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. 

5 Tubiyas said to him, “Where do you come from, young man?” “From your kindred, the Yasharalym,” he replied, “and I have come here to work.” Then Tubiyas said to him, “Do you know the way to go to Madia?” 

6 “Yes,” he replied, “I have been there many times; I am acquainted with it and know all the roads. I have often traveled to Madia, and would stay with our kinsman Gaba'al who lives in Rages of Madia. It is a journey of two days from Acbatana to Rages; for it lies in a mountainous area, while Acbatana is in the middle of the plain.” 

7 Then Tubiyas said to him, “Wait for me, young man, until I go in and tell my father; for I do need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages.” 

8 He replied, “All right, I will wait; but do not take too long.”

9 So Tubiyas went in to tell his father Tubiyahu and said to him, “I have just found a man who is one of our own Yasharalym kindred!” He replied, “Call the man in, my son, so that I may learn about his family and to what tribe he belongs, and whether he is trustworthy enough to go with you.”

10 Then Tubiyas went out and called him, and said, “Young man, my father is calling for you.” So he went in to him, and Tubiyahu greeted him first. He replied, “Joyous greetings to you!” But Tubiyahu retorted, “What joy is left for me any more? I am a man without eyesight; I cannot see the light of Shamaym, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer see the light. Although still alive, I am among the dead. I hear people but I cannot see them.” But the young man said, “Take courage; the time is near for  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to heal you; take courage.” Then Tubiyahu said to him, “My son Tubiyas wishes to go to Madia. Can you accompany him and guide him? I will pay your wages, brother.” He answered, “I can go with him and I know all the roads, for I have often gone to Madia and have crossed all its plains, and I am familiar with its mountains and all of its roads.”

11 Then Tubiyahu said to him, “Brother, of what family are you and from what tribe? Tell me, brother.” 

12 He replied, “Why do you need to know my tribe?” But Tubiyahu said, “I want to be sure, brother, whose son you are and what your name is.” 

13 He replied, “I am Azaryahu, the son of the great Hananyahu, one of your relatives.” 

14 Then Tubiyahu said to him, “Welcome! May 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH save you brother, Do not feel bitter toward me, brother, because I wanted to be sure about your ancestry. It turns out that you are a kinsman, and of good and noble lineage. For I knew Hananyahu and Nathan, the two sons of Shamalyahu, and they used to go with me to Yahushalam and worshiped with me there, and were not led astray. Your kindred are good people; you come of good stock. Hearty welcome!”

15 Then he added, “I will pay you a drachma a day as wages, as well as expenses for yourself and my son. So go with my son, 

16 and I will add something to your wages.” Rapha'AL answered, “I will go with him; so do not fear. We shall leave in good health and return to you in good health, because the way is safe.” 

17 So Tubiyahu said to him, “barakah be upon you, brother.” Then he called his son and said to him, “Son, prepare supplies for the journey and set out with your brother. May our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH in Shamaym bring you safely there and return you in good health to me; and may  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH's Malak accompany you both for your safety.” Before he went out to start his journey, he kissed his father and mother. Tubiyahu then said to him, “Have a safe journey.”

18 But his mother began to weep, and said to Tubiyahu, “Why is it that you have sent my child away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us? 

19 Do not heap money upon money, but let it be a ransom for our child. 

20 For the life that is given to us by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is enough for us.” 

21 Tubiyahu said to her, “Do not worry; our child will leave in good health and return to us in good health. Your eyes will see him on the day when he returns to you in good health. Say no more! Do not fear for them, my sister. 

22 For a good Malak will accompany him; his journey will be successful, and he will come back in good health.”