Tobit chapter 12
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] They offer Raphael a generous gift. Raphael reveals his true identity.
The Book of Tobit is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
THEY OFFER RAPHAEL A GENEROUS GIFT
VERSE 1. And Tobit called his son Tobias, and said to him, “See, my child, that the man which went with you have his wages, and you must give him more.”
you must give him more. Some people imagine that the people in the Old Testament were greedy.
But this verse is a great example of how generous they are.
VERSE 2. And he said to him, “Father, it is no harm to me to give him the half of those things which I have brought;
VERSE 3. for he has led me for you in safety, and he cured my wife, and brought my money, and likewise cured you.”
VERSE 4. The old man said, “It is due to him.”
VERSE 5. And he called the angel, and said to him, “Take half of all that you all have brought.”
Take half of all that you all have brought. Look at their great generosity.
They freely agree to give away half their fortune, and that to a stranger!
VERSE 6. Then he called them both privately, and said to them, “Bless God, and give him thanks, and magnify him, and give him thanks in the sight of all that live, for the things which he has done with you. It is good to bless God and exalt his name, showing forth with honor the works of God. Don’t be slack to give him thanks.
Don’t be slack to give him thanks. Amen!
VERSE 7. It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God. Do good, and evil won’t find you.
VERSE 8. Good is prayer with fasting, alms, and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Tobit and from the entire Bible.
Good is prayer with fasting. The NAB translation puts it this way:
Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness.
Charity is even more important than prayer or fasting! It is better to give alms than to lay up gold. It is better to give money to the poor than to save it up.
To fast is to abstain from eating. And possibly drinking. Or to follow a restricted diet. It is a wonderful companion during special times in our lives. Read more »
VERSE 9. Alms delivers from death, and it purges away all sin. Those who give alms and do righteousness will be filled with life;
Alms delivers from death. That is, giving to the poor expiates sin.
VERSE 10. but those who sin are enemies to their own life.
RAPHAEL REVEALS HIS TRUE IDENTITY
VERSE 11. Surely I will keep nothing closed from you. I have said, ‘It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God.’
VERSE 12. And now, when you prayed, and Sarah your daughter-in-law, I brought the memorial of your prayer before the Holy One. When you buried the dead, I was with you likewise.
VERSE 13. And when you didn’t delay to rise up, and leave your dinner, that you might go and cover the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me. I was with you.
VERSE 14. And now God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law.
VERSE 15. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and go in before the glory of the Holy One.”
one of the seven holy angels. The Bible alludes to seven archangels. Of those, three are named. Who are they? Read more »
VERSE 16. And they were both troubled, and fell upon their faces; for they were afraid.
VERSE 17. And he said to them, “Don’t be afraid. You will all have peace; but bless God forever.
VERSE 18. For I came not of any favor of my own, but by the will of your God. Therefore bless him forever.
VERSE 19. All these days I appeared to you. I didn’t eat or drink, but you all saw a vision.
VERSE 20. Now give God thanks, because I ascend to him that sent me. Write in a book all the things which have been done.”
VERSE 21. Then they rose up, and saw him no more.
VERSE 22. They confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.
TOBIT
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Tobit recommends fasting, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.