6
He replied, "Yes, I have been there many times; I'm familiar with all the roads and know them well. Often I have gone to Media and have spent the night with Gabael, our relative, who lives in Ecbatana of Media. It is a good two days' journey from Ecbatana to Rages, because it is located in a mountainous area while Ecbatana lies in the midst of a plain."
7
Tobias said to him, "Wait here for me, young man, until I go and report this to my father, because I need you to go with me, and I'll pay your wages."
8
Raphael replied, "All right, I'll wait. But don't delay!"
9
So Tobias went in and reported to his father Tobit, saying, "Wow, I've found a man from among our relatives the Israelites." Tobit said to Tobias, "Call the man in to me, my son, so that I learn who his family is, from which tribe he is, and whether he can be trusted to go with you."
10
So Tobias went out, called Raphael, and said to him, "Young man, my father is calling for you." Raphael went in, and Tobit was the first to greet him. Raphael said, "May joy be yours!" Tobit responded, "What joy can there still be for me? My eyes are useless, and I can't see the light of heaven. Instead, I lie in darkness just like the dead who no longer see the light. I live among the dead, hearing the sound of human beings without seeing them." Raphael said to him, "Take heart! The time is near when God will heal you. Take heart!" Then Tobit said to him, "My son Tobias wants to go to Media. Brother, can you accompany and guide him? I will pay your wages." Raphael said to him, "I'm able to go with him, for I know all the roads and have often traveled to Media and have passed through all its plains. So I'm familiar with its mountains and all its roads."