1
Then Toviyah answered Toviyt his father and said: “Father, I will do everything that you have commanded me.
2
But how shall I receive the silver? For I do not know Gavay’el, and he does not know me. What sign shall I give him so that he will recognize me and trust me and give me the silver? And I do not know the roads by which I should travel into Media.”
3
Then Toviyt his father answered him: “He gave me his written pledge, and I gave him mine. I divided it into two, and each of us took one part. And I placed his part with the silver. And now, see, twenty years have passed since I deposited that silver. Therefore, my son, seek for yourself a trustworthy ish who will go with you, and we shall pay him wages until you return. And receive the silver from Gavay’el.”
4
So Toviyah went out to seek an ish who knew the road and who would travel with him into Media. And he went out and found Rafa’el standing before him, but he did not know that he was a messenger of Elohim.
5
And Toviyah said to him: “From where are you, young ish?” And he said: “I am from the sons of Yisra’el, your brothers, and I have come here seeking work.” And Toviyah said to him: “Do you know the road that goes into Media?”
6
And he answered: “Yes. I have often been there, and I know all the roads well. I have gone many times into Media and lodged with Gavay’el our brother, who lives at Rages in Media. It is normally two full days’ journey from Ecbatana to Rages, for Rages lies in the mountains and Ecbatana in the plain.”
7
Then Toviyah said to him: “Wait for me, young ish, until I go in and tell my father. For I need you to travel with me, and I will pay you your wages.”
8
And he said: “See, I will wait. Only do not delay.”
9
And Toviyah went in and told Toviyt his father: “See, I have found an ish from among our brothers, the sons of Yisra’el.” And his father said to him: “Call the ish to me, that I may know from what house and tribe he comes, and whether he is trustworthy enough to travel with you, my son.”
10
So Toviyah went out and called him and said: “Young ish, my father calls you.” And he entered. And Toviyt greeted him first. And Rafa’el said: “May abundant joy be yours.” But Toviyt answered: “What joy remains for me? I am an ish without sight. I do not see the light of the heavens, but I lie in darkness like the dead who no longer behold the light. Though I live, I am among the dead. I hear the voice of Adam, but I do not see them.” And Rafa’el said to him: “Take courage. Your healing from Elohim is near. Take courage.” Then Toviyt said to him: “My son Toviyah desires to go into Media. Can you go with him and guide him? I will pay you your wages, brother.” And he answered: “I can go with him. I know all the roads. I have often gone into Media, crossed all its plains, and I know its mountains and all its roads.”
11
And Toviyt said to him: “Brother, from what family and from what tribe are you? Tell me, brother.”
12
And he answered: “Why do you need to know my tribe?” And Toviyt said: “I desire to know truly whose son you are and what your name is, brother.”
13
And he said: “I am Azaryah, son of Chananyah the great, one of your brothers.”
14
Then Toviyt said to him: “Come in blessing and in shalom, brother. Do not be angry with me because I sought to know your house and your family. You are my brother and from a good and noble house. For I knew Chananyah and Natan, the two sons of Shemayah the great. They went with me to Yerushalayim and bowed themselves there with me, and they did not wander into the error of our brothers. Your brothers are good men. You come from a good root. Come in shalom.”
15
And he continued: “I will give you a drachma each day as your wages, and whatever is needed for you just as for my son. Go with my son,
16
and I will add something to your wages.” And Rafa’el answered: “I will go with him. Do not fear. In shalom we shall depart, and in shalom we shall return to you, for the road is secure.”
17
Then Toviyt said: “Blessing be upon you, brother.” And he called his son and said to him: “My son, prepare what you need for the journey and go with your brother. And may Elohim who dwells in the heavens preserve you there and return you to me in shalom. And may His messenger accompany you and preserve you, my son.” And Toviyah went out to begin his journey, and he kissed his father and his mother. And Toviyt said to him: “Go in shalom.”
18
But his mother began to weep and said to Toviyt: “Why have you sent my child away? Is he not the staff of our hand as he goes in and out before us?
19
Let silver not be added to silver. Let it instead be a ransom for our son.
20
For what Yahuah has given us to live upon is enough for us.”
21
And Toviyt said to her: “Do not be anxious. Our son will depart in shalom and return to us in shalom, and your eyes shall see him on the day he returns to you in shalom.
22
Do not be anxious and do not fear for them, my sister. For a good messenger will accompany him, his journey shall prosper, and he shall return in shalom.” And she ceased weeping.