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because Raguel thought, "Tobias will probably die too, and people will laugh and make fun of us."
11
When they finished digging the grave, Raguel went back into the house and said to his wife,
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"Send one of the servant women to find out if Tobias is still alive. If he isn't, then we will bury him before anyone finds out."
13
They then sent a servant woman to take a lamp and see if he was still alive. As she opened the door, she could see that both of them were sound asleep.
14
So she went back and told Raguel and Edna that Tobias was alive and unharmed.
15
Then Raguel praised the God of heaven: "You are worthy of our praise, O God. May your people praise you forever, may they praise you with pure hearts.
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I praise you because you have made me glad; you have been merciful to us, and my worst fears did not come true.
17
You deserve our praise, O Lord; you were merciful to this young couple, the only children of their parents. Now, grant them your mercy and protection. Let them live out their lives in happiness and love."
18
Then Raguel ordered his servants to fill in the grave before dawn.
19
Raguel told his wife to bake enough bread for a big feast. Then he went out to the herd and brought back two oxen and four rams, which he ordered his servants to slaughter in preparation for the wedding feast.
20
He called for Tobias and vowed that he would not let him leave for two weeks. "Stay, and we will eat and drink together," he said. "It will do my daughter good after her terrible suffering.
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