The Archangel Raphael bindeth the devil – Book of Tobias, chapter 8

Tobias burneth part of the fish’s liver, and Raphael bindeth the devil. Tobias and Sara pray.

[1] And after they had supped, they brought in the young man to her. [2] And Tobias remembering the angel’s word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon burning coals. [3] Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt. [4] Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God today, and tomorrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. [5] For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.

[6] So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them, [7] And Tobias said: Lord God of our father, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all thy creatures that are in them, bless thee. [8] Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper. [9] And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever. [10] Sara also said: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.

[11] And it came to pass about the cockcrowing, Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave. [12] For he said: Lest perhaps it may have happened to him, in like manner as it did to the other seven husbands, that went in unto her. [13] And when they had prepared the pit, Raguel went back to his wife, and said to her: [14] Send one of thy maids, and let her see if he be dead, that I may bury him before it be day. [15] So she sent one of her maidservants, who went into the chamber, and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.

[16] And returning she brought the good news: and Raguel and Anna his wife blessed the Lord, [17] And said: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected. [18] For thou hast shewn thy mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us. [19] And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know, that thou alone art God in all the earth. [20] And immediately Raguel commanded his servants, to fill up the pit they had made, before it was day.

[21] And he spoke to his wife to make ready a feast, and prepare all kind of provisions that are necessary for such as go a journey. [22] He caused also two fat kine, and four wethers to be killed, and a banquet to be prepared for all his neighbours, and all his friends. [23] And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks. [24] And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made him a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.