Raphael Reveals His Identity
Tobit 12, verse 1. Tobit summoned his son Tobias and said to him, “My son, see to the wages of the man who went with you, and we must add to them.” Tobit 12, verse 2. He replied to him, “My father, it is no harm for me to give him half of what I brought. Tobit 12, verse 3. For he brought me safely to you, healed my wife, and brought me the silver. Likewise he healed you.” Tobit 12, verse 4. The elderly man replied, “He more than earned it.” Tobit 12, verse 5. So he called the angel and said to him, “Take half of everything you brought.” Tobit 12, verse 6. Then Raphael secretly called the two of them, and said to them, “Bless God and give Him thanks. Ascribe greatness to Him and give thanks in the presence of all the living for what He has done for you. It is good to bless God and to exalt His name. Make known the words of God's works honorably and do not delay to give thanks to Him. Tobit 12, verse 7. It is noble to keep hidden the secret of a king, but glorious to unveil the works of God. Do good, and evil will not find you. Tobit 12, verse 8. Prayer is good with fasting, almsgiving, and righteousness. A few prayers with righteousness are better than many with wrongdoing. It is better to do almsgiving than to lay up gold. Tobit 12, verse 9. For almsgiving rescues one from death, and it will wash away every sin. Those who do almsgiving and are righteous will be full of life. Tobit 12, verse 10. But those who sin are enemies of their own life. Tobit 12, verse 11. “I will not hide anything from you. Indeed, I did say that it is good to conceal the secret of a king, but to reveal gloriously the works of God. Tobit 12, verse 12. Now when you and your daughter-in-law Sarah prayed, I brought the remembrance of your prayer before the Holy One. When you also buried the dead, I was likewise present with you. Tobit 12, verse 13. Then too, when you did not hesitate to stand up and leave your dinner so as to depart and care for the dead, your doing what is good did not escape me; but I was with you. Tobit 12, verse 14. Now God sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law. Tobit 12, verse 15. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who report the prayers of the saints and who enter before the glory of the Holy One.” Tobit 12, verse 16. The two of them were troubled and fell upon their faces, for they were afraid. Tobit 12, verse 17. But he said to them, “Do not be afraid, for peace shall be with you. But bless God forever. Tobit 12, verse 18. For I did not come of my own good will, but rather by the will of our God. Therefore bless Him forever. Tobit 12, verse 19. All these days I appeared to you I did not eat or drink; but you were seeing a vision. Tobit 12, verse 20. Now give thanks to God, because I am ascending to Him who sent me. Write in a book everything that was accomplished.” Tobit 12, verse 21. Then they stood up, but no longer saw him. Tobit 12, verse 22. They acknowledged the great and wondrous works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.