1 Tobias replied, “Father, I will do everything you have told me.
2 But how can I possibly get the money? I don't know Gabael, and he doesn't know me! What can I do to prove I am your son, so he will let me have the money? And I don't even know the way to Media.”
3 I answered, “Twenty years ago Gabael and I signed an agreement that we cut in half. I kept one half and left the other with the coins. Find someone you can trust, and we will hire him to travel there and back with you. But be sure to get that money!”
4 Tobias left to look for someone who knew the way and would go there with him. Suddenly God's angel Raphael was standing in front of him, but Tobias did not know he was an angel.
5 Tobias asked, “Who are you?”He answered, “I am an Israelite, just like you, and I have come here, looking for work.”Tobias asked, “Do you know the way to the country of Media?”
6 “Of course!” he replied. “I've been there many times, and I know all the roads. I always stay with our relative Gabael in Rages, which is in the mountains. It takes about two days to get there from Ecbatana in the valley.”
7 Tobias said, “I want to hire you to go to Media with me. Please wait here until I tell my father.”
8 “All right,” he answered. “I'll wait, but don't take too long.”
9 When Tobias returned home, he said to me, “Father, I have found an Israelite, and he is one of our relatives!”“Ask him to come here,” I replied. “I want to know something about his family and tribe, so I can decide if he can be trusted to go with you to Rages.”
10 Tobias invited the young man to come in and meet me, and I immediately greeted him. The young man replied, “Sir, I hope all goes well for you.”“How can anything go well for me?” I answered. “I am as blind as a dead man in the dark! In fact, I may as well be dead, because I hear people, but I can't see them.”The young man told me, “Cheer up! God will soon heal you.”Then I said, “My son Tobias wants to go to Media. And I will pay you, if you can go along and show him the way.”He replied, “Yes, I can. I've been there many times, and I know all the roads through the valleys and across the mountains.”
11 Then I said, “Tell me, my friend, what family and tribe are you from?”
12 “Why do you want to know?” the young man asked.I answered, “I just want to know for certain who your father is and what your name is.”
13 The young man said, “My name is Azariah, and I am the son of Hananiah, a great man who was one of your relatives.”
14 I replied:Then you are welcome here, my brother, and I pray that God will protect you. Please don't be upset with me; I had to find out for certain what family you are from. You really are one of our relatives, and you come from a good family. I knew Hananiah and his brother Nathan, the sons of Shemeliah. Hananiah was a great man! He and Nathan used to go to Jerusalem with me to worship, and they never worshiped other gods. Yes, you come from a very good family, and you are most welcome in our home!
15 Now then, if you will go to Media with my son, I will pay you one silver coin for each day, as well as all your expenses and those of my son.
16 Plus, I will give you a bonus.The young man answered, “Don't worry, I'll go! And when we return, we will be just as healthy as we are now, because the roads aren't dangerous.”
17 I replied, “I pray for God to bless you, my brother!”Then I turned to my son and said, “Get whatever supplies you will need, then start on the journey with your friend. I pray that God in heaven will watch over you until you return, and that his angel will travel with the two of you and keep you safe.”Before Tobias left, he kissed his mother and me goodbye, and I said, “Have a safe trip.”
18 But his mother started crying and said to me, “Tobit, why are you sending my son away like this? He is the only person we can depend on, and he is always here to help us.
19 I don't care about the money! Forget it, then our son won't have to risk his life.
20 The Lord has blessed us with life, and that should be enough for us.”
21-22 I replied, “Don't be afraid, dear. You'll see—our son Tobias will come home just as healthy as he is now. Stop worrying! A good angel will go along, and Tobias will come home safely and bring the money with him.”