Tobit

Then Tobit called his son Tobias, and said to him, "My son, see to giving the wages to the man who went with you, and give him more."

Tobias said to him, "Father, how much wages shall I give him? It would not hurt me to give him half of the possessions which he brought with me,

because he has led me back to you in good health, and has cured my wife, and has brought the money for me, and has likewise cured you."

Then the old man said, "He deserves to receive half of everything he brought."

So he called the angel, and said to him, "Take half of everything which you have brought."

Then he called them both privately, and said to them, "Bless God, and give thanks to him, and honor him. Give thanks to him for the things which he has done for you in the sight of all that live. It is good to bless God and to exalt his name, and to proclaim the works of God with honor; do not be slow to give thanks to him.

It is good to guard the secret of a king, but it is honorable to reveal the works of God. Do good, and evil will not find you out.

Prayer is good with fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold.

Almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away all sin. Those who do almsgiving and righteousness will be filled with life,

but those who commit sin are enemies to their own lives.

Surely I will show you the whole truth, and I will not hide anything from you. I have already shown you, and said, 'It is good to guard the secret of a king, but it is honorable to reveal the works of God.'

Now, when you and Sarah prayed, it was I who brought the memorial of your prayer before the glory of the Lord. Likewise, when you buried the dead, I was with you.

When you did not delay to rise up and leave your dinner, so that you might go and bury the dead, I was sent to test your faith,

and at the same time, God sent me to heal you and your daughter-in-law Sarah.

I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, who present the prayers of the saints, and who stand in the presence of the glory of the Holy One."

Then they were both troubled, and they fell upon their faces, for they were afraid.

But he said to them, "Do not be afraid; peace be to you. Bless God forever.

For I have not come as a favor from you, but by the will of our God. Therefore bless him forever.

All these days I appeared to you, but I did not eat or drink, but you only saw a vision.

Now therefore give thanks to God, because I ascend to him who sent me. Write in a book all the things which have happened."

Then they stood up, but they saw him no more.

They confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and they declared that the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.