Take at once …: There is a contradiction in New Revised Standard Version between this and the instruction of the previous verse. How can Tobias at once return to his father and at the same time not go anywhere for two weeks? Presumably the author means that Tobias is to accept these goods and return home when the two weeks have passed. Something like “Later,” “Then” (Good News Translation), or “When you leave” (Contemporary English Version) works well.

To your father: Good News Translation has “to your parents” for a natural style in English. Translators will have to decide what is best in their own languages.

My wife and I is literal; Good News Translation prefers to have Raguel refer to his wife by name, but translators should do what is natural style in their own language.

Take courage … take courage: See the notes on 5.10; 7.16. For these two clauses Good News Translation has “Have no doubts about our love for you … You can be sure of that.” Good News Translation shifts from the literal meaning to the emotional justification for Tobias’s courage, the assurance that his parents-in-law love him; New English Bible is similar. Translators will do well to follow this approach.

We belong to you as well as to your wife: In Greek wife is literally “sister.” Wife, however, is the relationship meant. Good News Translation expresses the idea with the name “Sarah,” because the context makes it clear that she is Tobias’s wife.

For my child see 7.10.

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.