Chapter 7

1And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy.

2And Raguel looking upon Tobias, said to Anna his wife: How like is this young man to my cousin?

3And when he had spoken these words, he said: Whence are ye young men our brethren?

4But they said: We are of the tribe of Nephtali, of the captiveof Ninive.

5And Raguel said to them: Do you know Tobias my brother? And they said: We know him.

6And when he was speaking many good things of him, the angel said to Raguel: Tobias concerning whom thou inquirest is this young man’s father.

7And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears, and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.

8And Anna his wife, and Sara their daughter wept.

9And after they had spoken, Raguel commanded a sheep to be killed, and a feast to be prepared. And when he desired them to sit down to dinner,

10Tobias said: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter.

11Now when Raguel heard this he was afraid, knowing what had happened to those seven husbands, that went in unto her: and he began to fear lest it might happen to him also in like manner: and as he was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition,

12The angel said to him: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her.

13Then Raguel said: I doubt not but God hath regarded my prayers and tears in his sight.

14And I believe he hath therefore made you come to me, that this maid might be married to one of her own kindred, according to the law of Moses: and now doubt not but I will give her to thee.

15And taking the right hand of his daughter, he gave it into the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfill his blessing in you.

16And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage.

17And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.

18And Raguel called to him Anna his wife, and bade her prepare another chamber.

19And she brought Sara her daughter in thither, and she wept.

20And she said to her: Be of good cheer, my daughter: the Lord of heaven give thee joy for the trouble thou hast undergone.