18 Vol. LVIII, No. 1 Magnificat this spectacle, they shed tears of tenderness. After these first outpourings, Raguel gave orders to prepare the feast. When everything was ready, he invited his guests to sit down at table. But taking the floor, Tobias said to him: “I will neither eat nor drink at your table before you grant my request and promise to give your daughter Sarah to me in marriage.” Raguel remained silent, as if struck with amazement. Remembering Sarah’s seven fiancés, he hesitated to answer. Could he expose his young relative to almost certain death? Fortunately, the Angel cut short his perplexities: “Do not be afraid to give your daughter to this young man, for he is a friend of God: she must belong to him, and this is why the others perished.” So they drew up the deed and the protocols of the marriage, and they all celebrated the wedding feast, wholeheartedly praising God. Raguel’s happiness was so great that he gave Tobias half of his possessions, assuring him of the other half after he and his wife had passed away. Such generous advances made it virtually impossible for young Tobias to resist the promptings of his father-in-law, who implored him to stay in his house for two more weeks. Nevertheless, while he owed Raguel a great deal, he owed even more to his father and his mother, whom the slightest delay would cast into mortal worry. To obey their orders, he would have to continue his journey to Rages in Medea in order to reclaim the ten talents lent to Gabelus. In this uncertainty, he asked his guide to go himself to give Gabelus his bond and ask him to come and take part in his wedding celebration. The Angel departed, received the money and returned with Gabelus. At the sight of his benefactor’s son, Gabelus was moved to tears, and he exclaimed: “May the God of Israel fill you with His favors, for you are the son of a great and good man. May you see your children and your children’s children to the third and fourth generation! May your race be blessed, favored by the God of Israel who reigns forever and ever!” All those present answered, “Amen!” Gabelus was honored, all the joy of the wedding feast was renewed, a joy always balanced by fear of the Lord, whom all the guests faithfully worshiped. Return of the son Healing of the father When the fifteen days were over, they still wanted to detain young Tobias, but he answered, “I know that my father and mother are counting the days, and that they are anxiously waiting for my return.” So Raguel gave him his daughter, and with her, half of all that he had in servants, flocks, and other possessions. Sarah’s father and mother then gave their daughter a farewell kiss and let her go, but not without telling her again to honor her parents-in-law, to love her husband, to administer her house well and to remain unblemished in the eyes of everyone. The caravan set off. The journey was long. They were driving many flocks and herds which they could only follow slowly. The Angel said to Tobias: “You know what condition you left your parents in. If you will, let us go on ahead. Your wife, servants, flocks, herds and baggage will follow us, and we will announce their arrival. Take what is left of Departure of Tobias and Sarah for Nineveh
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