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Verse 4
Theosis · English Bible
Tobit

Tobit 12

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1Then Tobit called his son Tobias, and said unto him, My son, see that the man have his wages, which went with thee, and thou must give him more. 2And Tobias said unto him, O father, it is no harm to me to give him half of those things which I have brought: 3for he hath brought me again to thee in safety, and made whole my wife, and brought me the money, and likewise healed thee. 4Then the old man said, It is due unto him. 5So he called the angel, and he said unto him, Take half of all that ye have brought, and go away in safety. 6Then he took them both apart, and said unto them, Bless God, praise him, and magnify him, and praise him for the things which he hath done unto you in the sight of all that live. It is good to praise God, and exalt his name, and honourably to shew forth the works of God; therefore be not slack to praise him. 7It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but it is honourable to reveal the works of God. Do that which is good, and no evil shall touch you. 8Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold: 9for alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life: 10but they that sin are enemies to their own life. 11Surely I will keep close nothing from you. For I said, It was good to keep close the secret of a king, but that it was honourable to reveal the works of God. 12Now therefore, when thou didst pray, and Sara thy daughter in law, I did bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One: and when thou didst bury the dead, I was with thee likewise. 13And when thou didst not delay to rise up, and leave thy dinner, to go and cover the dead, thy good deed was not hid from me: but I was with thee. 14And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy daughter in law. 15I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One. 16Then they were both troubled, and fell upon their faces: for they feared. 17But he said unto them, Fear not, for it shall go well with you; praise God therefore. 18For not of any favour of mine, but by the will of our God I came; wherefore praise him for ever. 19All these days I did appear unto you; but I did neither eat nor drink, but ye did see a vision. 20Now therefore give God thanks: for I go up to him that sent me; but write all things which are done in a book. 21And when they arose, they saw him no more. 22Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared unto them.

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Tobit 12:4

Dimitri of Rostov

Dimitri of Rostov17th century

The venerable Tobiah, filled with joy in his later years and having regained his sight, beheld the light of heaven along with the radiant presence of his beloved son and daughter-in-law, Sarah, who had brought great wealth. He turned to his son and inquired, "What can we offer this righteous man who has journeyed with you?" Young Tobiah replied, "Father, what can we possibly give him in return, and how can we adequately compensate him for all his kindness? He accompanied me and returned me in health. He provided me with a wife and freed her from the tormenting spirit. He rescued me from the belly of the fish and restored your sight to see the light of heaven. He has enriched us with countless blessings. What honorable tribute can we provide for all he has done?" Beloved, we are aware, at least in part, of the many blessings our guardian angels bestow upon us in accordance with God's will. What thanks can we offer them before the Lord? What worthy gift can we give in appreciation of their kindness? Let us dedicate ourselves to them, be their humble servants, and strive to fulfill their wishes in all aspects of life. Let us heed their call whenever they inspire us with thoughts of righteousness, embracing their commands and avoiding any actions that might drive them away through sinful behavior. The pure and holy angels desire to dwell among the righteous. "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1) and place our trust under their protective wings. Holy Archangel Michael and the assembly of angels, shield us in the day of our struggles, both seen and unseen! Surround us with the protection of your wings and dispel every adversary and foe! Amen.