Old Tobias and his son offer the half of all the goods which they had newly received to Raphael, for his wages. 6. Who then declareth to them that he was sent from God to help them, 15. and that he is an Angel, 20. He parteth away, and they render thanks to God.Old Tobias and his sonne offer the half of al the goodes which they had newly receiued to Raphael, for his wages. 6. VVho then declareth to them that he was sent from God to helpe them, 15. and that he is an Angel, 20. He parteth away, and they render thankes to God.✦
Then Tobias called to him his son, and said to him: What may we give to this holy man, that is come with thee.THEN Tobias called to him his sonne, and sayd to him: What may we geue to this holie man, that is come with thee.Tunc vocavit ad se Tobias filium suum, dixitque ei : Quid possumus dare viro isti sancto, qui venit tecum ?
2Tobias answering, said to his father: Father what reward shall we give him? or what can be worthy of his benefits?Tobias answering, sayd to his father: Father what reward shal we geue him? or what can be worthie of his benefittes?Respondens Tobias, dixit patri suo : Pater, quam mercedem dabimus ei ? aut quid dignum poterit esse beneficiis ejus ?
3He hath led me and brought me again safe, he received the money of Gabelus, he caused me to have my wife, and the evil spirit he chased from her, he made joy unto her parents, myself he delivered from being devoured of the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are repleti: filled, fully supplied with all good things by him. What can we give him worthy for these things?He hath led me and brought me agayne safe, he receiued the money of Gabelus, he caused me to haue my wife, and the euil spirit he chased from her, he made ioy vnto her parentes, my self he deliuered from being deuoured of the fish, * thee also he hath made to see the light of heauen, and we are replenished with al good things by him. What can we geue him worthie for these things?✦Me duxit et reduxit sanum, pecuniam a Gabelo ipse recepit, uxorem ipse me habere fecit, et dæmonium ab ea ipse compescuit : gaudium parentibus ejus fecit, meipsum a devoratione piscis eripuit, te quoque videre fecit lumen cæli, et bonis omnibus per eum repleti sumus. Quid illi ad hæc poterimus dignum dare ?
4But I beseech thee my father, that thou desire him, if perhaps he will dignabitur: deign, condescend to grant to take unto him the one half of all things, which are brought.But I beseech thee my father, that thou desire him, if perhaps he wil voutsafe to take vnto him the one halfe of al thinges, which are brought.Sed peto te, pater mi, ut roges eum, si forte dignabitur medietatem de omnibus quæ allata sunt, sibi assumere.
5And they calling him, to wit the father and the son, took him aside: and began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept the half part of all things, that they had brought.And they calling him, to wit the father and the sonne, tooke him aside: & began to desire him that he would voutsafe to accept the halfe part of al thinges, that they had brought.✦Et vocantes eum, pater scilicet et filius, tulerunt eum in partem : et rogare cœperunt ut dignaretur dimidiam partem omnium quæ attulerant acceptam habere.
6Then he said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, and before all that live confess to him, because he hath done mercy with you.Then he sayd to them secretely: Blesse ye the God of heauen, and before al that liue confesse to him, because he hath done mercie with you.Tunc dixit eis occulte : Benedicite Deum cæli, et coram omnibus viventibus confitemini ei, quia fecit vobiscum misericordiam suam.
7For to hide the secret of a king is good: but to reveal and confess the works of God is an honourable thing.For to hide the secrete of a king is good: but to reueale & confesse the workes of God is an honorable thing.✦Etenim sacramentum regis abscondere bonum est : opera autem Dei revelare et confiteri honorificum est.
8Prayer is good with fasting and alms, rather than to lay up treasures of gold:Prayer is good with fasting and almes, rather then to lay vp treasures of gold:✦Bona est oratio cum jejunio, et eleemosyna magis quam thesauros auri recondere :
9because alms delivereth from death, and that is it which purgeth sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting.because almes deliuereth from death, and that is it which purgeth sinnes, and maketh to finde mercie and life euerlasting.quoniam eleemosyna a morte liberat, et ipsa est quæ purgat peccata, et facit invenire misericordiam et vitam æternam.
10But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies to their own soul.But they that committe sinne and iniquitie, are enemies to their owne soule.Qui autem faciunt peccatum et iniquitatem, hostes sunt animæ suæ.
11I open therefore unto you the truth, and I will not hide from you the secret word.I open therfore vnto you the truth, and I wil not hide from you the secrete word.Manifesto ergo vobis veritatem, et non abscondam a vobis occultum sermonem.
12When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead and left thy dinner, and didst hide the dead by day in thy house, and by night didst bury them, I offered thy prayer to our Lord.When thou didst pray with teares, and didst burie the dead and leaft thy dinner, and didest hide the dead by day in thy house, and by night didst burie them, I offered thy prayer to our Lord.¶Quando orabas cum lacrimis, et sepeliebas mortuos, et derelinquebas prandium tuum, et mortuos abscondebas per diem in domo tua, et nocte sepeliebas eos, ego obtuli orationem tuam Domino.
13And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that tentatio: a trial or testing should probaret: to test, to try thee.And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessarie that tentation should proue thee.✦Et quia acceptus eras Deo, necesse fuit ut tentatio probaret te.
14And now our Lord sent me to cure thee, and to deliver Sara thy son's wife from the devil.And now our Lord sent me to cure thee, and to deliuer Sara thy sonnes wife from the diuel.Et nunc misit me Dominus ut curarem te, et Saram uxorem filii tui a dæmonio liberarem.
15For I am Raphael an Angel, one of the seven, which assist before our Lord.For I am Raphael an Angel, one of the seuen, which assist before our Lord.✦Ego enim sum Raphaël angelus, unus ex septem qui adstamus ante Dominum.
16And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and trembling fell upon the ground on their face.And when they had heard these thinges, they were trubled, & trembling fel vpon the ground on their face.✦Cumque hæc audissent, turbati sunt, et trementes ceciderunt super terram in faciem suam.
17And the Angel said to them: Peace be to you, fear not.And the Angel sayd to them: Peace be to you, feare not.✦Dixitque eis angelus : Pax vobis : nolite timere.
18For when I was with you, by the will of God I was so: bless ye him, and sing to him.For when I was with you, by the wil of God I was so: blesse ye him, and sing to him.Etenim cum essem vobiscum, per voluntatem Dei eram : ipsum benedicite, et cantate illi.
19I seemed indeed to eat with you, and to drink: but I use an invisible cibo: food generally, not flesh only and drink, which can not be seen of men.I seemed indeede to eate with you, and to drinke: but I vse an inuisible meate and drinke, which can not be seene of men.✦Videbar quidem vobiscum manducare et bibere : sed ego cibo invisibili, et potu qui ab hominibus videri non potest, utor.
20It is time therefore that I return to him, that sent me: but bless ye God, and tell all his marvellous works.It is time therfore that I returne to him, that sent me: but blesse ye God, and tel al his maruelous workes.✦Tempus est ergo ut revertar ad eum qui me misit : vos autem benedicite Deum, et narrate omnia mirabilia ejus.
21And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.And when he had sayd these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.✦Et cum hæc dixisset, ab aspectu eorum ablatus est, et ultra eum videre non potuerunt.
22Then prostrate for three hours upon their face, they blessed God: and rising up they told all his marvellous works.Then prostrate for three houres vpon their face, they blessed God: and rysing vp they told al his maruelous workes.Tunc prostrati per horas tres in faciem, benedixerunt Deum : et exsurgentes narraverunt omnia mirabilia ejus.
Annotationsfrom the original 1609 Douay Old Testament
12I offered thy prayer to our Lord. Here the Angel Raphael reporteth certain good offices, which he had done for Tobias. He did other like for his son, and for Raguel, and his daughter, which are likewise recorded in this book. And the whole world, especially God's servants, receive continual great benefits by holy Angels, as partly may be gathered in this holy history, and more elsewhere. For first the office of Angels is, to assist, or be always ready, as most diligent servitors of God, expecting what his divine goodness will appoint them, whither to go, and what to do for the benefit of men: as holy Raphael was sent, when young Tobias wanted a guide. Secondly, Angels offer the prayers of the faithful, or as the Greek text readeth, v. 15, Angels present the prayers of Saints, that is, of godly men and women to God: so Raphael testifieth here himself, that he offered Tobias' prayers to our Lord. Thirdly, Angels aid and assist those that love purity of life, sincere service of God, hate vice, embrace virtue, and do works of mercy; so Raphael assisted Tobias, when he travelled to bury the dead, fleeing from the king's fury, and hiding himself, ch. 1. v. 11. 23. Fourthly, Angels exhort to good works, as in this 12. chapter, v. 6. 8. 9. 10. 18. Fifthly, they suggest and instruct what to do, ch. 6. v. 4. 5. Raphael taught young Tobias to take the fish, unbowel him, reserve parts thereof, v. 11. 12. 13. advised him to lodge at Raguel's house, to demand Sara to wife, and v. 16. 17. instructed him, against whom devils have power. Sixthly, they expel devils from persons, and places, ch. 8. v. 3. Raphael took and bound the devil Asmodeus in the desert of higher Egypt. Seventhly, they deliver men from dangers and evils, c. 6. v. 3. as when the great fish assaulted Tobias, and Sara from molestation, and slander, and old Tobias from blindness, chap. 3. v. 10, ch. 11. v. 8, ch. 12. v. 14. Eighthly, when it redoundeth to the honour and more service of God, and good of the soul, Angels procure riches, and worldly commodities, ch. 12. v. 3. Young Tobias gratefully confessed the great benefits received by his guide, concluding generally, by him we are replenished (saith he) with all good things. Ninthly, good Angels also prove men, for their more merit, so the Angel witnesseth ch. 12. v. 13. Because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary, that tentation should prove thee. Tenthly, and finally (for we remit the reader to larger documents of others) after proof of patience, fortitude, and other virtues, holy Angels comfort good men; so Raphael encouraged old Tobias, saying, ch. 5. v. 13. his blindness should shortly be cured, ch. 12. v. 22. showed him how grateful his prayers with tears and works of mercy were in God's sight. He comforted Raguel and his family by bringing young Tobias to their house, ch. 7. v. 5. Much more, ch. 8. v. 16. both them and all Tobias his family, by driving away the devil; and lastly by revealing himself unto them. So holy Angels, especially the proper guardian patrons of every one, are always ready to help men; guard them, exhort them to good, do instruct them, do expel evil spirits, and deliver men from many evils and dangers, do procure them temporal commodities, prove their virtues, offer their prayers and good works, assist them all their lives, and at their deaths, then also bring their souls to the Judgement seat, and (if they die in good state) to eternal joy and glory, whereof the ancient fathers' writings are full. S. Gregory the great in his Dialogue, li. 4. c. 58. S. Athanasius li. de communi essentia. S. Chrysostom ho. 3. in Epist. ad Coloss. li. 6. de sacerdotio. Gregorius Turonensis li. de gloria Martyrum, et Confessorum. S. Augustine Epist. ad probam. c. 9. Epist. 68. ad fratres in eremo. li. 11. c. 31. civit. et octoginta trium. qq. q. 79. Our Saviour himself testifieth that Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner, Luke 15. and therefore, they know and have care of men's states in this life, and finally Angels carried the soul of poor Lazarus into Abraham's bosom, Luke 16.I offered thy prayer to our Lord. Here the Angel Raphael reporteth certain good offices, which he had done for Tobias. He did other like for his son, and for Raguel, and his daughter, which are likewise recorded in this book. And the whole world, especially God's servants, receive continual great benefits by holy Angels, as partly may be gathered in this holy history, and more elsewhere. For first the office of Angels is, to assist, or be always ready, as most diligent servitors of God, expecting what his divine goodness will appoint them, whither to go, and what to do for the benefit of men: as holy Raphael was sent, when young Tobias wanted a guide. Secondly, Angels offer the prayers of the faithful, or as the Greek text readeth, v. 15, Angels present the prayers of Saints, that is, of godly men and women to God: so Raphael testifieth here himself, that he offered Tobias' prayers to our Lord. Thirdly, Angels aid and assist those that love purity of life, sincere service of God, hate vice, embrace virtue, and do works of mercy; so Raphael assisted Tobias, when he travelled to bury the dead, fleeing from the king's fury, and hiding himself, ch. 1. v. 11. 23. Fourthly, Angels exhort to good works, as in this 12. chapter, v. 6. 8. 9. 10. 18. Fifthly, they suggest and instruct what to do, ch. 6. v. 4. 5. Raphael taught young Tobias to take the fish, unbowel him, reserve parts thereof, v. 11. 12. 13. advised him to lodge at Raguel's house, to demand Sara to wife, and v. 16. 17. instructed him, against whom devils have power. Sixthly, they expel devils from persons, and places, ch. 8. v. 3. Raphael took and bound the devil Asmodeus in the desert of higher Egypt. Seventhly, they deliver men from dangers and evils, c. 6. v. 3. as when the great fish assaulted Tobias, and Sara from molestation, and slander, and old Tobias from blindness, chap. 3. v. 10, ch. 11. v. 8, ch. 12. v. 14. Eighthly, when it redoundeth to the honour and more service of God, and good of the soul, Angels procure riches, and worldly commodities, ch. 12. v. 3. Young Tobias gratefully confessed the great benefits received by his guide, concluding generally, by him we are replenished (saith he) with all good things. Ninthly, good Angels also prove men, for their more merit, so the Angel witnesseth ch. 12. v. 13. Because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary, that tentation should prove thee. Tenthly, and finally (for we remit the reader to larger documents of others) after proof of patience, fortitude, and other virtues, holy Angels comfort good men; so Raphael encouraged old Tobias, saying, ch. 5. v. 13. his blindness should shortly be cured, ch. 12. v. 22. showed him how grateful his prayers with tears and works of mercy were in God's sight. He comforted Raguel and his family by bringing young Tobias to their house, ch. 7. v. 5. Much more, ch. 8. v. 16. both them and all Tobias his family, by driving away the devil; and lastly by revealing himself unto them. So holy Angels, especially the proper guardian patrons of every one, are always ready to help men; guard them, exhort them to good, do instruct them, do expel evil spirits, and deliver men from many evils and dangers, do procure them temporal commodities, prove their virtues, offer their prayers and good works, assist them all their lives, and at their deaths, then also bring their souls to the Judgement seat, and (if they die in good state) to eternal joy and glory, whereof the ancient fathers' writings are full. S. Gregory the great in his Dialogue, li. 4. c. 58. S. Athanasius li. de communi essentia. S. Chrysostom ho. 3. in Epist. ad Coloss. li. 6. de sacerdotio. Gregorius Turonensis li. de gloria Martyrum, et Confessorum. S. Augustine Epist. ad probam. c. 9. Epist. 68. ad fratres in eremo. li. 11. c. 31. civit. et octoginta trium. qq. q. 79. Our Saviour himself testifieth that Angels rejoice at the conversion of a sinner, Luke 15. and therefore, they know and have care of men's states in this life, and finally Angels carried the soul of poor Lazarus into Abraham's bosom, Luke 16.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.