1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his woman, and his two sons.^1:2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his woman Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah. And they came into the country of Moab and were there.^1:3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.^1:4 And they took themselves wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth^: and they lived there about 10 years.^1:5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.^1:6 Then she arose with her daughters in law so that she might return from the country of Moab^: because she had heard in the country of Moab how that YHWH had visited his people in giving them food.^1:7 Therefore she left from the place where she had been, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.^1:8 And Naomi said to her two daughters in law, go, return each to her mother's house^: YHWH deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.^1:9 YHWH grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice and wept.^1:10 And they said to her, surely we will return with you to your people.^1:11 And Naomi said, turn back my daughters; why do you go with me? are there yet to me sons in my bowels that they have been to you for husbands? ^1:12 Turn back my daughters, go your way; because I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also tonight, and should also bear sons;^1:13 For them do you wait until they grow up? for them do you shut yourselves up, not to be to a husband? No, my daughters, for more bitter to me than to you, for the hand of YHWH has gone out against me.^1:14 And they lifted up their voice and wept again^: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clung to her.^1:15 And she said, look, your sister in law has gone back to her people, and to her elohim^: now you return after your sister in law.^1:16 But Ruth replied, entreat me not to leave you or to return from following after you^: because wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge^: your people will be my people, and your Elohim my Elohim^:1:17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried^: YHWH do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.^1:18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she refrained speaking to her about it.^1:19 So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was murmuring about them, and they said, is this Naomi?^1:20 And she said to them, call me not Naomi, call me Mara^: for Shaddai has dealt very bitterly with me.^1:21 I went out full, and YHWH has brought me home again empty^: why then call me Naomi, seeing YHWH has testified against me, and Shaddai has afflicted me?^1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law with her, who returned out of the country of Moab^: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.^2:2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I will find favor. And she replied to her, go my daughter.^2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers^: and her fortune was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.^2:4 And see, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, YHWH be with you. And they answered him, YHWH bless you.^2:5 Then Boaz said to his slave that was set over the reapers, whose damsel is this? ^2:6 And the slave that was set over the reapers answered and said, it is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab^:2:7 And she said, I ask you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves^: so she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, that she remained a time in the house.^2:8 And Boaz said to Ruth, have you not heard my daughter? go not to glean in another field, and also, pass not over from this, and so you will stay close to my young women^:2:9 Let your eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go after them^: have I not charged the young men that they will not touch you? and when you are thirsty go to the vessels, and drink of what the young men have drawn.^2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground and replied to him, why have I found favor in your eyes so that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?^2:11 And Boaz answered and said to her, it has fully been shown me all that you have done to your mother in law since the death of your husband. And how you have left your dad and mother, and the land of your nativity, and are come to a people that you never knew before.^2:12 YHWH reward your work, and a full reward be given you of YHWH Elohim of Israel, under whose wings you have come to trust.^2:13 Then she replied, let me find favor in your sight, my master; because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken friendly to your handmaid, though I am not like one of your slave-girls.^2:14 And Boaz replied to her, at mealtime come here, and eat of the food, and dip your morsel in the vinegar. And she sits at the side of the reapers, and he reaches to her roasted corn, and she eats and is satisfied, and leaves.^2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men saying, let her glean even among the sheaves, and scorn her not^:2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls on purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.^2:17 So she gleaned in the field until sunset, and beat out what she had gleaned^: and it was about an ephah (3/5th bushel) of barley.^2:18 And she took it up, and went into the city^: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned^: and she brought forth, and gave to her what she had reserved after she was sufficed.^2:19 And her mother in law said to her, where have you gleaned today? and where did you accomplish this? blessed is he that did take knowledge of you. And she showed her mother in law with whom she had accomplished this and said, the man's name with whom I accomplished this today is Boaz.^2:20 Then Naomi said to her daughter in law, blessed is he of YHWH, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi replied to her, the man is near of kin to us, one of our next kinsmen.^2:21 Then Ruth the Moabitess replied, he said to me also, you will keep close by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.^2:22 And Naomi replied to Ruth her daughter in law, it is good my daughter that you go out with his slave- girls, that they meet you not in any other field.^2:23 So she kept close by the slave-girls of Boaz to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and lived with her mother in law.

3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said to her, my daughter, will I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?^3:2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose slave-girls you have been? Look, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing-floor.^3:3 Wash therefore, and anoint yourself, and put your clothing on you, and get down to the floor^: but make not yourself known to the man, until he will have done eating and drinking.^3:4 And it will be, when he lies down, that you will mark the place where he will lie, and you will go in and uncover his feet, and lay down; and he will tell you what you will do.^3:5 And she replied to her, all that you say to me I will do.^3:6 And she went down to the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law instructed her.^3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn^: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid herself down.^3:8 And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself^: and behold, a woman lay at his feet.^3:9 And he said, who are you? and she answered, I am Ruth your handmaid^: spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid; because you are a near kinsman.^3:10 But he replied, blessed are you of YHWH, my daughter^: because you have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you followed not young men, whether poor or rich.^3:11 And now my daughter, fear not; I will do to you all that you require^: because all the city of my people do know that you are a virtuous woman.^3:12 And now it is true that I am your near kinsman^: however there is a kinsman nearer than I.^3:13 Remain here this night, and it will be in the morning that if he will perform to you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part^: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to you, then I will do the part of a kinsman to you, as YHWH lives^: lie down now until the morning.^3:14 And she lay at his feet until the morning^: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.^3:15 Also he said, bring the veil that you have upon you, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured 6 measures of barley, and laid it on her^: and she went into the city.^3:16 And when she came to her mother in law she said, who are you my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.^3:17 And she said, these 6 measures of barley he gave me; because he said to me, go not empty to your mother in law.^3:18 Then said she, sit still my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall^: because the man will not be at rest, until he has finished this thing today.

4:1 Then Boaz went up to the gate, and sat himself down there^: and see, the kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside and sat down.^4:2 And he took 10 men of the Elders of the city and said, sit down here. And they sat down.^4:3 And he said to the kinsman, Naomi, that has returned out of the country of Moab, sells a parcel of land that was our brother Elimelech's^:4:4 And I thought to advertise it to you saying, buy it before the inhabitants, and before the Elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it^: but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know^: because there is none to redeem it besides you; and I am after you. And he replied, I will redeem it.^4:5 Then Boaz said, that day you buy the field of the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.^4:6 Then the kinsman replied, I cannot redeem it for myself, unless I mar my own inheritance^: redeem yourself my right to yourself; because I cannot redeem it.^4:7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor^: and this was a testimony in Israel.^4:8 Therefore the kinsman said to Boaz, buy it for yourself. So he drew off his shoe.^4:9 And Boaz said to the Elders, and to all the people, you are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.^4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his kinsmen, and from the gate of his place^: you are witnesses this day.^4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the Elders replied, we are witnesses. YHWH make the woman that is come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, that two did build the House of Israel^: and do you worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem^:4:12 And let your house be like the House of Pharez, whom Tamar gendered to Judah, of the seed that YHWH will give you of this young woman.^4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his woman^: and when he loved her, YHWH gave her conception and she gendered a son.^4:14 And the women said to Naomi, blessed is YHWH that has not left you this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.^4:15 And he has been to you for a restorer of life, and for a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who has loved you - who is better to you than 7 sons - has borne him.^4:16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.^4:17 And the women her neighbors gave it a name saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed^: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.^4:18 Now these are the generations of Pharez^: Pharez gendered Hezron,^4:19 And Hezron gendered Ram, and Ram gendered Amminadab,^4:20 And Amminadab gendered Nahshon, and Nahshon gendered Salmon,^4:21 And Salmon gendered Boaz, and Boaz gendered Obed,^4:22 And Obed gendered Jesse, and Jesse gendered David.

Copyright 2001 Dallas E. James