Open English Translation TOB Chapter 8

8 When they’d finished their supper, they brought Toviyah in to her. 2 But as he went, he remembered Refael’s (Raphael’s) words, and took the ashes of the incense, and put the heart and the liver of the fish on them, and made smoke with them. 3 When the demon smelled that smell, it fled into the uppermost parts of Mitsrayim (Egypt), and the messenger bound him. 4 But after they were both shut in together, Toviyah rose up from the bed, and said, “Sister, arise, and let’s pray that the master may have mercy on us.” 5 And Toviyah began to say, “Blessed are you, Oh God of our fathers, and blessed is your holy and glorious name forever. Let the heavens bless you, and all your creatures. 6 You made Adam, and gave him Havah (Eve) his wife for a helper and support. From them came the seed of men. You said, it isn’t good that the man should be alone. Let’s make him a helper like him. 7 And now, Oh master, I take not this my sister for lust, but in truth. Command that I may find mercy and grow old with her.”

8 She said with him, “Amen.” And they both slept that night.

9 Re’uel arose, and went and dug a grave, 10 saying, “In case he should also die.” 11 And Re’uel came into his house, 12 and said to Edna his wife, “Send one of the female servants, and let them see if he’s alive. If not, we’ll bury him, and no man will know it.”

13 So the maidservant opened the door, and went in, and found them both sleeping, 14 and came out, and told them that he was alive.

15 Then Re’uel blessed God, saying, “Blessed are you, Oh God, with all pure and holy blessing! Let your saints bless you, and all your creatures! Let all your messengers and your elect bless you forever! 16 Blessed are you, because you’ve made me glad; and it hasn’t happened to me as I suspected; but you have dealt with us according to your great mercy. 17 Blessed are you, because you’ve had mercy on two that were the only begotten children of their parents. Show them mercy, Oh master. Fulfil their life in health with gladness and mercy.

18 He commanded his servants to fill the grave. 19 He kept the wedding feast for them fourteen days. 20 Before the days of the wedding feast were finished, Re’uel sware to him, that he shouldn’t depart till the fourteen days of the wedding feast were fulfilled; 21 and that then he should take half of his goods, and go in safety to his father; and the rest, he said, when my wife and I die.