1
Meanwhile Toviyt his father was counting every day. And when the days of the journey had been completed and they had not returned,
2
he said: “Perhaps they have been delayed there. Or perhaps Gavay’el has died, and there is no ish to give them the silver.”
3
And he began to grieve greatly.
4
And Channah his ishah said: “My child has perished and is no longer among the living. For he has delayed.” And she began to weep and lament over her son, saying:
5
“Woe to me, my child! Why did I send you away— you, the light of my eyes?”
6
But Toviyt said to her: “Be silent. Do not be anxious, my sister. He is well. Something has delayed them there. And the ish who went with him is trustworthy and is one of our brothers. Do not grieve for him. He will soon be here.”
7
But she answered him: “Be silent. Do not deceive me. My child has perished.” And every day she went out and watched the road by which her son had departed. And she trusted no one’s eyes but her own. And when the sun went down, she would return inside, and throughout every night she wept and lamented and could not sleep.
8
Now when the fourteen days of the wedding feast that Re’u’el had sworn to celebrate for his daughter had been completed, Toviyah came to him and said: “Send me away, for I know that my father and my mother no longer believe that they will see me again. And now, father, I ask you to send me away that I may return to my father. I have already told you how I left him.”
9
But Re’u’el said to Toviyah: “Remain, my child. Remain with me, and I will send messengers to your father Toviyt and they shall tell him concerning you.” But Toviyah said: “No. Rather, send me away to my father.”
10
Then Re’u’el arose and gave Sarah his ishah to him, and half of all his possessions— servants and maidservants, cattle and sheep, donkeys and camels, garments, silver, and household vessels.
11
And he sent them away in shalom. And embracing Toviyah, he said to him: “Go in shalom, my child. May the Master of the heavens prosper you and Sarah your ishah. And may I see children from you before I die.”
12
And he said to Sarah his daughter: “Honor your father-in-law and your mother-in-law, for from now on they are your parents just as those who gave you birth. Go in shalom, my daughter. May I hear a good report concerning you all the days of my life.” And he kissed them and sent them away.
13
And Ednah said to Toviyah: “My beloved child and brother, may Yahuah of the heavens bring you back safely, and may I live long enough to see your children and the children of Sarah my daughter before I die. Before Yahuah I entrust my daughter to you. Do not grieve her all the days of your life. Go in shalom, my child. From now on I am your mother, and Sarah is your sister. May we all prosper together all the days of our lives.” And she kissed them both and sent them away in shalom.
14
And Toviyah departed from Re’u’el in shalom, rejoicing and blessing Yahuah, Master of the heavens and the earth, King over all, because He had prospered his journey. And Re’u’el said to him: “May you be granted to honor them all the days of their lives.”