Tobit 11

₁When Tobias left, he was as happy as could be. He praised the Lord of heaven and earth, the King of all the world, because his journey had been so successful, and he promised to honour Raguel and his wife as long as they lived.

As they came near the city of Kaserin, just outside Nineveh, ₂Raphael said, “Tobias, you know the condition your father was in when we left him. ₃We should go on ahead of your wife and get the house ready before everyone else arrives. ₄Be sure to bring the fish's gall-bladder with you.” So they went on ahead, and Tobias' dog ran along with them.

₅Meanwhile, Anna sat looking down the road for her son. ₆Suddenly she saw him coming and shouted out to Tobit, “Look! Our son is coming, and his friend is with him!”

₇Before they reached Tobit, Raphael said to Tobias, “Your father will be able to see again. ₈Just put the fish's gall-bladder on his eyes like a plaster. The medicine will make the white film shrivel up so that you can peel it off, and your father will then regain his eyesight.”

₉Anna ran to her son, threw her arms round him, and exclaimed, “Now that I have seen you alive, my child, I can die in peace!” And she wept for joy.

₁₀Tobit got up and stumbled out through the entrance of the courtyard. ₁₁Tobias went up to him, holding the fish's gall-bladder in his hand. He blew on his father's eyes and steadied him. “Don't worry now, father,” he said. _12-13Tobias then applied the gall, and beginning from the corners of Tobit's eyes, he peeled away the white film. ₁₄Tobit threw his arms round Tobias' neck and wept for joy. Then he exclaimed, “I can see you! My son, the light of my eyes!

Then Tobias went happily into the house, praising God at the top of his voice. He told his father how successful he had been, that he had not only brought back the money, but had married Raguel's daughter Sarah, who was on her way and would soon arrive.

₁₆Tobit was excited and praised God as he went out to meet his son's bride at the city gate. When the people of Nineveh saw him, they were amazed, because he was walking on his own, with no one leading him by the hand. ₁₇Tobit praised God and told everyone how God in his mercy had restored his sight.

When Tobit met Sarah, he greeted her, “Welcome, daughter! Praise God for bringing you to us, my daughter. May God bless your father, as well as you and my son Tobias. Welcome to your new home. May you always be blessed with good health and happiness. Come in, my daughter!”

It was a day of great joy for all the Jews of Nineveh. ₁₈Tobit's nephews Ahikar and Nadab called in to share Tobit's happiness with him.