“Bless God, praise him, and magnify him, and praise him for all the things which he has done for you in the sight of all who live. It is good to praise God and exalt his name and to honorably show forth the works of God; therefore do not be negligent in praising him. [7] It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but it is honorable to reveal the works of God. Do what is good and no evil shall touch you.
Rafael refuses the gifts offered him.
(Giovanni Biliverti, 1585-1644, Palazzo Pitti, Florence)
[8] “Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold, [9] for alms can deliver from death and will purge away all sin. Those who practice almsgiving and righteousness shall be filled with life; [10] but those who sin are enemies to their own life.
[11] “Surely I will withhold nothing from you, for I said that it is good to keep close the secret of a king, but that it is honorable to reveal the works of God.
[12] “Now therefore, when you pray, and when Sarah your daughter-in-law prays, I will bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One. And when you buried the dead, I was with you likewise.
[13] “And when you didn’t delay to rise up and leave your dinner, to go and cover the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you.
[14] “And now God has sent me to heal you and Sarah your daughter-in-law.
“And when they arose, they saw him no more.”
(Rembrandt, 1606-1669, Musée du Louvre, Paris)
[15] “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, who present the prayers of the saints, and who go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.”