Tobias anointeth his father’s eyes with the fish’s gall, and he
recovereth his sight.
11:1. And as they were returning they came to Charan, which is in the
midway to Ninive, the eleventh day.
11:2. And the angel said: Brother Tobias, thou knowest how thou didst
leave thy father.
11:3. If it please thee therefore, let us go before, and let the family
follow softly after us, together with thy wife, and with the beasts.
11:4. And as this their going pleased him, Raphael said to Tobias: Take
with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary. So Tobias
took some of that gall and departed.
11:5. But Anna sat beside the way daily, on the top of a hill, from
whence she might see afar off.
11:6. And while she watched his coming from that place, she saw him
afar off, and presently perceived it was her son coming: and returning
she told her husband, saying: Behold thy son cometh.
11:7. And Raphael said to Tobias: As soon as thou shalt come into thy
house, forthwith adore the Lord thy God: and giving thanks to him, go
to thy father, and kiss him.
11:8. And immediately anoint his eyes with this gall of the fish, which
thou carriest with thee. For be assured that his eyes shall be
presently opened, and thy father shall see the light of heaven, and
shall rejoice in the sight of thee.
11:9. Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before,
and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning
and wagging his tail.
The dog, etc.... This may seem a very minute circumstance to be
recorded in sacred history: but as we learn from our Saviour, St. Matt.
5.18, there are iotas and tittles in the word of God: that is to say,
things that appear minute, but which have indeed a deep and mysterious
meaning in them.
11:10. And his father that was blind, rising up, began to run stumbling
with his feet: and giving a servant his hand, went to meet his son.
11:11. And receiving him kissed him, as did also his wife, and they
began to weep for joy.
11:12. And when they had adored God, and given him thanks, they sat
down together.
11:13. Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his
father’s eyes.
11:14. And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come
out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg.
11:15. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and
immediately he recovered his sight.
11:16. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew
him.
11:17. And Tobias said: I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because
thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me and behold I see Tobias
my son.
11:18. And after seven days Sara his son’s wife and all the family
arrived safe, and the cattle, and the camels, and an abundance of money
of his wife’s: and that money also which he had received of Gabelus,
11:19. And he told his parents all the benefits of God, which he had
done to him by the man that conducted him.
11:20. And Achior and Nabath the kinsmen of Tobias came, rejoicing for
Tobias, and congratulating with him for all the good things that God
had done for him.
11:21. And for seven days they feasted and rejoiced all with great joy.