1
And the young man went out, and the messenger went with him. And the dog went out with them and traveled beside them. And they journeyed until the first night, and camped beside the river Chiddeqel.
2
And the young man went down to wash his feet in the river. And a great fish leaped up from the water and sought to swallow his foot. And he cried out.
3
But the messenger said to the young man: “Seize the fish! Hold it firmly!” And the young man seized the fish and drew it up onto the land.
4
Then the messenger said to him: “Cut open the fish, and take out its heart, its liver, and its gall, and keep them with you. But throw away the entrails.”
5
And the young man did as the messenger commanded him. And they roasted some of the fish and ate it. And they salted what remained and carried it with them. Then the two continued their journey together until they drew near to Media.
6
And Toviyah asked the messenger: “Brother Azaryah, what healing is there in the heart, the liver, and the gall of the fish?”
7
And he answered: “As for the heart and the liver of the fish, if an evil ruach or a demon troubles an ish or ishah, you shall burn these before them, and the affliction shall flee from them and shall no longer remain with them.
8
And as for the gall, you shall anoint the eyes of an Adam upon which white films have formed, then blow upon them, and the eyes shall be healed.”
9
And when they entered Media and were drawing near to Ecbatana,
10
Rafa’el said to the young man: “Brother Toviyah.” And he answered: “See, here I am.” And Rafa’el said: “Tonight we must lodge with Re’u’el. He is your kinsman. And he has a daughter whose name is Sarah.
11
He has neither son nor daughter except Sarah alone. And you are nearer to her than any other ish, and you have the right to receive her as ishah. And you also have the right to inherit the possessions of her father. The young woman is wise, courageous, and exceedingly beautiful, and her father is a good ish.”
12
And he continued: “It is right for you to take her. Listen to me, brother. Tonight I will speak with her father concerning the young woman, that we may secure her for you as ishah. And when we return from Rages, we shall celebrate the marriage. For I know that Re’u’el cannot withhold her from you or give her to another ish without becoming liable according to the Torah of Mosheh, because he knows that the Inheritance belongs to you before any other ish. And now, brother, listen to me, and tonight we shall speak concerning the young woman.”
13
But Toviyah answered Rafa’el: “Brother Azaryah, I have heard that she has already been given to seven husbands, and that each of them died in the bridal chamber.
14
And I am the only son of my father. I am afraid that if I go in to her, I also shall die as those before me. For a demon loves her and harms no one except those who seek to approach her. And now I fear that I may die and bring the life of my father and my mother down to Sheol in sorrow because of me. And they have no other son to bury them.”
15
But the messenger said to him: “Do you not remember the words your father commanded you— that you should take an ishah from the house of your father? Now therefore listen to me, brother. Do not concern yourself with this demon, and take her. For I know that tonight she shall be given to you as ishah.
16
And when you enter the bridal chamber, take some of the heart and liver of the fish and place them upon the burning incense. And the smell shall rise,
17
and the demon shall smell it and flee, and he shall never again appear around her. And when you are about to come together with her, both of you rise first and pray. Cry out to the Master of the heavens that mercy and deliverance may come upon you. Do not fear, for she was appointed for you from ancient days, and you shall deliver her. She shall go with you, and I know that from her you shall have children, and they shall be to you as brothers. Do not be anxious.”
18
And when Toviyah heard the words of Rafa’el, and heard that Sarah was his sister from the seed of his father’s house, his being became strongly joined to her, and his heart could no longer be separated from her.