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.