Both Good News Translation and New Revised Standard Version obscure the fact that Tobit uses the same clause when he starts talking to Anna, and again at the end of this verse: Do not worry … Say no more (New Revised Standard Version), “Calm down … stop worrying” (Good News Translation). Translators may follow either version, or may use the clause “Do not worry” twice.

The key expression good health appears three times in this verse and once again in verse 22; compare verses 14, 17. Of course, here Anna is more concerned with Tobias’s safety than with his health (the Greek word covers both senses). Good News Translation is on target with “safely” and “safe and sound.”

Sister is a term of endearment a man might use to his wife. See 8.4 and elsewhere in this book; compare also Song 4.9-12; 5.1.

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.