Tobit 5

How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.

King James Version

1Tobias then answered and said, Father, I will do all things which thou hast commanded me:

Then Tobias answered and said: Father, I will do all things which you have commanded me — the son's will set to obedience before the journey is understood.

2But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not?

But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not? — the honest limit confessed: willingness without a way.

3Then he gave him the handwriting, and said unto him, Seek thee a man which may go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages: and go and receive the money.

Then he gave him the handwriting, and said to him: Seek a man who may go with you, while I yet live, and I will give him wages; and go and receive the money — the token given, and the first step named: find a companion for the way.

4Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel.

Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael, who was an angel — the divine idea ministering between the higher and lower consciousness, found in the very act of seeking.

5But he knew not; and he said unto him, Canst thou go with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well?

But he knew him not; and he said to him: Can you go with me to Rages? And do you know those places well? — guidance received before it is recognised: the ministering idea met as a fellow-traveller.

6To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I know the way well: for I have lodged with our brother Gabael.

To whom the angel said: I will go with you, and I know the way well; for I have lodged with our brother Gabael — the guide who knows both the road and its end.

7Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father.

Then Tobias said to him: Tarry for me, till I tell my father — the son carrying the found companion back under the father's blessing.

8Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not. So he went in and said to his father, Behold, I have found one which will go with me. Then he said, Call him unto me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee.

Then he said to him: Go, and tarry not. So he went in and said to his father: Behold, I have found one who will go with me. Then he said: Call him to me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with you — the blind father examining by hearing what his eyes cannot see.

9So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another.

So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another — the meeting of the house and its unseen helper.

10Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what tribe and family thou art.

Then Tobit said to him: Brother, show me of what tribe and family you are — kinship asked first, as the order of the house requires.

11To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name.

To whom he said: Do you seek for a tribe or family, or a hired man to go with your son? Then Tobit said to him: I would know, brother, your kindred and name — the guide gently testing whether the house wants credentials or companionship.

12Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of thy brethren.

Then he said: I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of your brethren — the ministering idea clothing itself in a name and a lineage the house can receive.

13Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother, thou art of a good stock.

Then Tobit said: You are welcome, brother; be not angry with me, because I have enquired to know your tribe and your family; for you are my brother, of an honest and good stock: for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem — the established center of spiritual consciousness — to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits; and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren: my brother, you are of a good stock — recognition by shared worship: the stock proved by its journey to the center.

14But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son?

But tell me, what wages shall I give you? Will you a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to my own son? — the guide hired on a son's terms, not a stranger's.

15Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to thy wages.

Yea, moreover, if you return safe, I will add something to your wages — gratitude promised beyond the contract, before the journey begins.

16So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things far the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man’s dog with them.

So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias: Prepare yourself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things for the journey, his father said: Go with this man, and the Divine Mind, who dwells in heaven — the inner realm — prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man's dog with them — the blessing spoken over the departure; and even the faithful sense-companion goes along, unblessed and unrebuked.

17But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us?

But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit: Why have you sent away our son? Is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us? — the affection's grief naming the son as the house's support.

18Be not greedy to add money to money: but let it be as refuse in respect of our child.

Be not greedy to add money to money; but let it be as refuse in respect of our child — the mother weighing silver against the son, and finding the silver refuse.

19For that which the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us.

For that which the indwelling LORD has given us to live with suffices us — sufficiency confessed from the heart of the fear.

20Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him.

Then said Tobit to her: Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and your eyes shall see him — the father's faith answering the mother's tears with a promise.

21For the good angel will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe.

For the good angel will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe — the unseen companion named as the ground of the visible hope.

22Then she made an end of weeping.

Then she made an end of weeping — the affection resting, for now, on the word spoken over the journey.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.