And he said to himself: The question Tobit asks himself is, of course, a literary device to inform the readers of his thinking. Tobit is in no doubt as to what he should do, and is certainly not asking for information. In languages where it appears strange to talk to yourself, translators may say “He thought to himself” or “He thought in his heart.”

Now I have asked for death: Good News Translation makes it clear that Tobit had asked God to let him die (see 3.6). Another way to express Now is “since,” and the whole clause, “Since I had asked God to let me die, I should….”

Why do I not call…?: Tobit is of course not asking anyone anything. He is deliberating with himself. Good News Translation expresses this as “I should call….”

About the money may be rendered “about the silver coins” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Tobit. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.