11 When 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 honor Raguel and his wife as long as they lived.[a]
The Homecoming
As they came near the city of Kaserin, just outside Nineveh, 2 Raphael said,
Tobias, you know the condition your father was in when we left him. 3 We should go on ahead of your wife and get the house ready before everyone else arrives. 4 Be sure to bring the fish's gall bladder with you.
So they went on ahead, and Tobias' dog ran along with[b] them.
5 Meanwhile, Anna sat looking down the road for her son. 6 Suddenly she saw him coming and she shouted out to Tobit,
Look! Our son is coming, and his friend is with him!
7 Before they reached Tobit, Raphael said to Tobias,
Your father will be able to see again. 8 Just 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.
9 Anna ran to her son, threw her arms around him, and exclaimed,
Now that I have seen you alive, my child, I can die in peace! And she wept for joy.
Tobit's Cure
10 Tobit got up and stumbled out through the entrance of the courtyard. 11 Tobias 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. 12-13 (A)Tobias then applied the gall, and beginning from the corners of Tobit's eyes, he peeled away the white film. 14 Tobit threw his arms around Tobias' neck and wept for joy. Then he exclaimed,
I can see you! My son, the light of my eyes!
Praise God. Praise him for his greatness.
Praise all his holy angels.
May he continue to bless us.
Praise all his angels forever.
15 He brought this illness upon me,
but now I can see my son Tobias!
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.
Sarah's Arrival
16 Tobit 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. 17 Tobit 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, daughter!
It was a day of great joy for all the Jews of Nineveh. 18 Tobit's nephews Ahikar and Nadab came by to share Tobit's happiness with him.
Footnotes
- Tobit 11:1 successful, and...lived; or successful. And Raguel made Tobias promise to honor him and Edna as long as they lived.
- Tobit 11:4 Tobias' dog...with; some manuscripts have the Lord accompanied.