\id RUT - Copyright World Bible Translation Center 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008 
\ide UTF-8
\h Ruth 
\toc1 Ruth 
\toc2 Ruth 
\mt1 Ruth 
\c 1  
\s1 Famine in Judah 
\p
\v 1 \w Long|strong="H3117"\w* \w ago|strong="H3117"\w*, \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w judges|strong="H8199"\w* \w ruled|strong="H8199"\w*, \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w famine|strong="H7458"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* named Elimelech \w left|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* town \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H0776"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w*, \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* moved \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. 
\v 2 \w The|strong="H0935"\w* \w man’s|strong="H0376"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kilion|strong="H3630"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* Ephrathah family \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w The|strong="H0935"\w* family \w traveled|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* hill \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* stayed \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 Later, \w Naomi’s|strong="H5281"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w*, \w Elimelech|strong="H0458"\w*, \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w so|strong="H4191"\w* only \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w her|strong="H5281"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Her|strong="H0802"\w* sons \w married|strong="H0802"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w from|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* country \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4125"\w*. \w One|strong="H0259"\w* \w wife’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Orpah|strong="H6204"\w*, \w and|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w* \w wife’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*. \w They|strong="H8033"\w* \w lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4125"\w* \w about|strong="H8033"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*; 
\v 5 \w then|strong="H1571"\w* \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w* \w and|strong="H0376"\w* \w Kilion|strong="H3630"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*. \w So|strong="H1571"\w* Naomi \w was|strong="H0376"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* alone without \w her|strong="H0802"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w or|strong="H1571"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H3206"\w*. 
\s1 Naomi Goes Home 
\p
\v 6 \w While|strong="H1931"\w* Naomi \w was|strong="H3068"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* helped \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* Judah. \w So|strong="H5414"\w* Naomi \w decided|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* leave \w the|strong="H0853"\w* hill \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Her|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w also|strong="H3068"\w* \w decided|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. 
\v 7 \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w living|strong="H1870"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w started|strong="H1961"\w* walking \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, “\w Each|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* very kind \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* sons \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w now|strong="H0802"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* pray \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* kind \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\v 9 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w pray|strong="H5375"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* help \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* good \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.” Naomi \w kissed|strong="H5401"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w* daughters-in-law, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H0376"\w* \w all|strong="H0376"\w* started \w crying|strong="H1058"\w*. 
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* daughters \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* family.” 
\p
\v 11 \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “No, \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*, \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* homes. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*? \w I|strong="H0559"\w* can’t \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w any|strong="H0376"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w husbands|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\v 12 \w Go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*. \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w too|strong="H1571"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* new \w husband|strong="H0376"\w*. \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* married \w again|strong="H7725"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w help|strong="H1323"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w became|strong="H3205"\w* pregnant \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* two \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, 
\v 13 \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* wait \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w grew|strong="H1431"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H0376"\w* marry \w them|strong="H3318"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H4480"\w* \w make|strong="H1431"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* wait \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w long|strong="H5704"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w husbands|strong="H0376"\w*. \w That|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w make|strong="H1431"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* sad. \w And|strong="H3068"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* already sad \w enough|strong="H3966"\w*—\w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w* many \w things|strong="H1431"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*!” 
\p
\v 14 \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H5375"\w* \w cried|strong="H1058"\w* very much. \w Then|strong="H5375"\w* \w Orpah|strong="H6204"\w* \w kissed|strong="H5401"\w* Naomi goodbye, but \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* hugged \w her|strong="H5375"\w* \w and|strong="H6963"\w* \w stayed|strong="H5750"\w*. 
\p
\v 15 Naomi \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w sister-in-law|strong="H2994"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w gone|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* own \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* own \w gods|strong="H0430"\w*. \w You|strong="H7725"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* do \w the|strong="H0559"\w* same.” 
\p
\v 16 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* force \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w leave|strong="H5800"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*! \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* force \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* own \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Let|strong="H0408"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. \w Wherever|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w*, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Wherever|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* sleep, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* sleep. \w Your|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Your|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 17 \w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* ask \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* punish \w me|strong="H3254"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* don’t \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3541"\w* \w promise|strong="H3068"\w*: Only \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w separate|strong="H6504"\w* \w us|strong="H3588"\w*.”\f + \fr 1:17  \fk I ask … separate us \ft Literally, “May the LORD do this to me, and even more, unless death separates us!”\f* 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0834"\w* Homecoming 
\p
\v 18 Naomi \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H0553"\w* wanted very much \w to|strong="H0413"\w* go \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*. \w So|strong="H3588"\w* Naomi \w stopped|strong="H2308"\w* arguing \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\v 19 \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* Ruth \w traveled|strong="H0935"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* women \w entered|strong="H0935"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H5704"\w* excited. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Is|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*?” 
\p
\v 20 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H0408"\w*, “\w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*\f + \fr 1:20  \fk Naomi \ft This name means “Happy” or “Pleasant.”\f*; \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* Marah.\f + \fr 1:20  \fk Marah \ft This name means “Bitter” or “Sad.”\f* Use \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w name|strong="H0559"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0559"\w* All-Powerful \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H4843"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* life \w very|strong="H3966"\w* sad. 
\v 21 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* everything \w I|strong="H0589"\w* wanted \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w left|strong="H1980"\w*, \w but|strong="H6030"\w* \w now|strong="H0589"\w*, \w the|strong="H0589"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* brings \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w nothing|strong="H7387"\w*. \w The|strong="H0589"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w made|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* sad, \w so|strong="H1980"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* ‘Happy’\f + \fr 1:21  \fk Happy \ft This is the meaning of the name Naomi.\f*? \w God|strong="H3068"\w* All-Powerful \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w given|strong="H7121"\w* \w much|strong="H4100"\w* trouble \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*.” 
\p
\v 22 \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w her|strong="H0935"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w*, \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* hill \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w These|strong="H1992"\w* two women \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w at|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w beginning|strong="H8462"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*. 
\c 2  
\s1 Ruth Meets Boaz 
\p
\v 1 \w There|strong="H3045"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H0376"\w* rich \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w living|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H0376"\w* Bethlehem. \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Naomi’s|strong="H5281"\w* close \w relatives|strong="H4940"\w*\f + \fr 2:1  \fk close relatives \ft If a man died without children, one of his close relatives would take the dead man’s wife so that she could have children. He would care for this family, but this family and their property would not belong to him. They would all be in the dead man’s name.\f* \w from|strong="H0376"\w* Elimelech’s \w family|strong="H4940"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 \w One|strong="H0834"\w* day \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w*, \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w think|strong="H5869"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w go|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*. Maybe \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* someone \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H4994"\w* kind \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w grain|strong="H7641"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* leave \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H0310"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*.” 
\p \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “Fine, \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w go|strong="H4994"\w* ahead.” 
\p
\v 3 \w So|strong="H0834"\w* Ruth \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* workers \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* cutting \w the|strong="H0834"\w* grain \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* grain \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w left|strong="H0935"\w*.\f + \fr 2:3  \ft There was a law that a farmer must leave some grain in his field during harvest, so poor people and travelers could find something to eat. See Leviticus 19:9; 23:22.\f* \w It|strong="H0310"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* part \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, \w the|strong="H0834"\w* man \w from|strong="H0935"\w* Elimelech’s \w family|strong="H4940"\w*. 
\p
\v 4 Later, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* field \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w greeted|strong="H1288"\w* \w his|strong="H3068"\w* workers. \w He|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H1288"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*!” 
\p \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* workers \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*!” 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w spoke|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w was|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* workers. \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Whose|strong="H4310"\w* \w girl|strong="H5291"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w that|strong="H0559"\w*?” 
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. 
\v 7 \w She|strong="H0310"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w early|strong="H1242"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w if|strong="H0227"\w* \w she|strong="H0310"\w* \w could|strong="H2088"\w* \w follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* workers \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w gather|strong="H0622"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* grain \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w left|strong="H0935"\w* \w on|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* ground. \w She|strong="H0310"\w* rested \w only|strong="H5704"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* short \w time|strong="H6258"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w shelter|strong="H1004"\w*.”\f + \fr 2:7  \fk She … shelter \ft Or “That is her house over there.”\f* 
\p
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w*, child. \w Stay|strong="H1692"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w yourself|strong="H0413"\w*. \w There|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* need \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w any|strong="H1571"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w Continue|strong="H5674"\w* \w following|strong="H0312"\w* behind \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* workers. 
\v 9 \w Watch|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* cut \w the|strong="H0853"\w* grain \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w follow|strong="H0310"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* warned \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w bother|strong="H5060"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*, \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w same|strong="H0853"\w* \w water|strong="H7579"\w* jug \w my|strong="H0834"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w from|strong="H1980"\w*.” 
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H5234"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* very \w low|strong="H0776"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w ground|strong="H0776"\w*. \w She|strong="H6440"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* Boaz, “\w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w a|strong="H4672"\w* \w foreigner|strong="H5237"\w*, \w so|strong="H6440"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* surprised \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w even|strong="H0776"\w* \w noticed|strong="H5869"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.” 
\p
\v 11 \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w about|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w help|strong="H6030"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* given \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* Naomi. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* helped \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w husband|strong="H0376"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*. \w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H0376"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w came|strong="H0413"\w* here \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w came|strong="H0413"\w* here \w with|strong="H0854"\w* Naomi. 
\v 12 \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w reward|strong="H7999"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* all \w the|strong="H0834"\w* good \w things|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w*. \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w*, \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w pay|strong="H7999"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w full|strong="H8003"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* safety,\f + \fr 2:12  \fk You have … for safety \ft Literally, “You have come under his wings for safety.”\f* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* protect \w you|strong="H0834"\w*.” 
\p
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* Ruth \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0595"\w* hope \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w can|strong="H5869"\w* \w continue|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w please|strong="H0595"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w sir|strong="H0113"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* very kind. \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w only|strong="H0259"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w servants|strong="H8198"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* kind words \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w comforted|strong="H5162"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.” 
\p
\v 14 \w At|strong="H3427"\w* mealtime, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* Ruth, “\w Come|strong="H5066"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w our|strong="H4480"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w*. \w Here|strong="H1988"\w*, \w dip|strong="H2881"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w our|strong="H4480"\w* \w vinegar|strong="H2558"\w*.” 
\p \w So|strong="H4480"\w* Ruth \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H7646"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* workers. \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0398"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w roasted|strong="H7039"\w* \w grain|strong="H7039"\w*. Ruth \w ate|strong="H0398"\w* until \w she|strong="H6256"\w* \w was|strong="H3427"\w* \w full|strong="H7646"\w*, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* \w was|strong="H3427"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w*. 
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* Ruth \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H6965"\w* back \w to|strong="H0559"\w* work. 
\p \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w his|strong="H6680"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* Ruth \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w around|strong="H0996"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* piles \w of|strong="H0559"\w* grain. \w Don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w stop|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H0996"\w*. 
\v 16 \w And|strong="H1571"\w* make \w her|strong="H1571"\w* work easier \w by|strong="H1571"\w* dropping \w some|strong="H4480"\w* full heads \w of|strong="H4480"\w* grain \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w*. \w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w that|strong="H4480"\w* grain. \w Don’t|strong="H3808"\w* tell \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w to|strong="H4480"\w* \w stop|strong="H3808"\w*.” 
\s1 Naomi Hears \w About|strong="H4480"\w* Boaz 
\p
\v 17 Ruth \w worked|strong="H5704"\w* \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* separated \w the|strong="H0853"\w* grain \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* chaff. \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* one-half \w bushel|strong="H0374"\w*\f + \fr 2:17  \fk one-half bushel \ft Literally, “one ephah” (22 l).\f* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*. 
\v 18 Ruth \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* grain \w into|strong="H0935"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* food \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w left|strong="H3498"\w* \w from|strong="H0935"\w* lunch. 
\p
\v 19 \w Her|strong="H5046"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w*, “\w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w all|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* grain? \w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* work? \w Bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w noticed|strong="H5234"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*.” 
\p \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H5234"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w worked|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w worked|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*.” 
\p
\v 20 \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0559"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w him|strong="H0854"\w*! \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w continued|strong="H0559"\w* showing \w his|strong="H3068"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w well|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*.” \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0559"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, “Boaz \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w relatives|strong="H1350"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* protectors.\f + \fr 2:20  \fk protectors \ft Or “redeemers,” those who cared for and protected the family of a dead relative. Often they bought back (redeemed) the poor relatives from slavery, making them free again.\f*” 
\p
\v 21 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “Boaz \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w come|strong="H3615"\w* \w back|strong="H0413"\w* \w and|strong="H5288"\w* continue working. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* work \w closely|strong="H1692"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w*.” 
\p
\v 22 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, “\w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* continue working \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* servants. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* work \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w another|strong="H0312"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*, some man \w might|strong="H1323"\w* hurt \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.” 
\v 23 \w So|strong="H3427"\w* Ruth continued working \w closely|strong="H1692"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* servants \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*. \w She|strong="H5704"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w* \w grain|strong="H2406"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w was|strong="H5291"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w*. \w She|strong="H5704"\w* also \w worked|strong="H5704"\w* \w there|strong="H3427"\w* through \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w end|strong="H3615"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*. Ruth continued \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w her|strong="H5704"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* Naomi. 
\c 3  
\s1 The Threshing Floor 
\p
\v 1 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, Ruth’s \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*, \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w My|strong="H1245"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, maybe \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* \w find|strong="H1245"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* husband \w and|strong="H1323"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* home \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. \w That|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w our|strong="H1961"\w* close relative.\f + \fr 3:2  \fk close relative, protector \ft A close relative who could marry Ruth so that she could have children. This man would care for this family, but this family and their property would not belong to him. They would belong to Ruth’s dead husband. Also in 3:9, 12; 4:1, 3, 6.\f* \w You|strong="H0834"\w* worked \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* servants. \w Tonight|strong="H3915"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* working \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Go|strong="H3381"\w* \w wash|strong="H7364"\w* \w yourself|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* get dressed. \w Put|strong="H7760"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* nice dress, \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w go|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*. \w But|strong="H0376"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w let|strong="H0408"\w* Boaz \w see|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w has|strong="H0376"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w eating|strong="H0398"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* dinner. 
\v 4 \w After|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* eats, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w rest|strong="H7901"\w*. \w Watch|strong="H3045"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w lies|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w*. \w Go|strong="H0935"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w lift|strong="H1540"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* cover \w off|strong="H1540"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w feet|strong="H4772"\w*.\f + \fr 3:4  \fk lift the cover off his feet \ft Literally, “uncover his legs.” This showed that Ruth was asking Boaz to be her protector.\f* \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w with|strong="H0935"\w* Boaz. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* marriage.” 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* Ruth \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*.” 
\p
\v 6 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* Ruth \w went|strong="H3381"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w* \w and|strong="H3381"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. 
\v 7 \w After|strong="H7097"\w* \w eating|strong="H0398"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w drinking|strong="H8354"\w*, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w very|strong="H3190"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H3190"\w*. \w He|strong="H0935"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* near \w the|strong="H0935"\w* pile \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w grain|strong="H6194"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* Ruth \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w* \w very|strong="H3190"\w* \w quietly|strong="H3909"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w lifted|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* cover \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H0935"\w* \w feet|strong="H4772"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w by|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H0935"\w* \w feet|strong="H4772"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w About|strong="H1961"\w* midnight, Boaz rolled over \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w and|strong="H0376"\w* woke \w up|strong="H1961"\w*. \w He|strong="H0376"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* very surprised. \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w lying|strong="H7901"\w* near \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w feet|strong="H4772"\w*. 
\v 9 Boaz \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w are|strong="H4310"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*?” 
\p \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H0519"\w* girl. \w Spread|strong="H6566"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* cover \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*.\f + \fr 3:9  \fk Spread your cover over me \ft Or “Spread your wing over me.” This showed that Ruth was asking for help and protection. See Ruth 2:12.\f* \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H4310"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* protector.” 
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H0859"\w* Boaz \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*, \w young|strong="H0970"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0859"\w* \w been|strong="H3068"\w* \w very|strong="H3190"\w* kind \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*. \w Your|strong="H3068"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* greater \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* showed \w to|strong="H0559"\w* Naomi \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7223"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* could \w have|strong="H0859"\w* looked \w for|strong="H0518"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w young|strong="H0970"\w* \w man|strong="H0970"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* marry, \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w poor|strong="H1800"\w*. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* did \w not|strong="H1115"\w*. 
\v 11 \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, young \w woman|strong="H0802"\w*, \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H0802"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w town|strong="H8179"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w very|strong="H6258"\w* good \w woman|strong="H0802"\w*. 
\v 12 \w And|strong="H1571"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w true|strong="H0551"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w close|strong="H7138"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* man \w who|strong="H7138"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w closer|strong="H7138"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w to|strong="H4480"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am|strong="H0595"\w*. 
\v 13 \w Stay|strong="H3885"\w* \w here|strong="H1350"\w* \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w*. \w In|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w we|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w see|strong="H0518"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w he|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* help\f + \fr 3:13  \fk help \ft Or “redeem.” This meant the close relative would care for and protect the dead man’s family and property, but that property would not be his.\f* \w you|strong="H0518"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w he|strong="H0518"\w* decides \w to|strong="H5704"\w* help \w you|strong="H0518"\w*, \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w fine|strong="H1961"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w he|strong="H0518"\w* refuses \w to|strong="H5704"\w* help, \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w promise|strong="H3068"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w surely|strong="H0518"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* marry \w you|strong="H0518"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w buy|strong="H1350"\w* \w back|strong="H1350"\w* Elimelech’s land \w for|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0518"\w*.\f + \fr 3:13  \fk I will marry … you \ft Literally, “I will redeem you.”\f* \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w here|strong="H1350"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*.” 
\p
\v 14 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H5234"\w* \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w near|strong="H5704"\w* Boaz’s \w feet|strong="H4772"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0376"\w* \w still|strong="H7901"\w* dark, \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0376"\w* light enough \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w recognize|strong="H5234"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w*. 
\p Boaz \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w*, “\w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w keep|strong="H0935"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* secret \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* here \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H0935"\w* \w last|strong="H6965"\w* night.” 
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* coat. \w Now|strong="H0935"\w*, \w hold|strong="H0270"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* open.” 
\p \w So|strong="H0834"\w* Ruth \w held|strong="H0270"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* coat open, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* Boaz \w measured|strong="H4058"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* bushel \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*\f + \fr 3:15  \fk bushel of barley \ft Literally, “six \+add measures \+add*of barley.”\f* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* gift \w to|strong="H0559"\w* Naomi, \w her|strong="H5921"\w* mother-in-law. Boaz \w then|strong="H0935"\w* wrapped \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* Ruth’s coat, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w put|strong="H0935"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. 
\p
\v 16 Ruth \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* home \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*, Naomi. Naomi \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* door \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, “Who’s \w there|strong="H3605"\w*?” 
\p Ruth \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w telling|strong="H5046"\w* Naomi \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* Boaz \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 17 \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “Boaz \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w this|strong="H0428"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w as|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w gift|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* must \w not|strong="H0408"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* home \w without|strong="H7387"\w* \w bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w gift|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.” 
\p
\v 18 Naomi \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w be|strong="H3808"\w* patient \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* hear \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w happens|strong="H3117"\w*. Boaz \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* doing \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H0376"\w* \w do|strong="H0518"\w*. \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w happen|strong="H1697"\w* \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w ended|strong="H3615"\w*.” 
\c 4  
\s1 Boaz and Naomi’s Close Relative 
\p
\v 1 \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w place|strong="H8033"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* gather \w near|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* until \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w close|strong="H1350"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* Ruth \w about|strong="H8033"\w* \w passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w by|strong="H3427"\w*. \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w called|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*, friend.” 
\p
\v 2 Boaz also gathered \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w He|strong="H0376"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w them|strong="H3947"\w*, “\w Sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*!” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H0376"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* Boaz \w spoke|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Naomi’s|strong="H5281"\w* \w close|strong="H1350"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* hill \w country|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* wants \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w sell|strong="H4376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w our|strong="H0834"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w Elimelech|strong="H0458"\w*. 
\v 4 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w decided|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w about|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w front|strong="H5048"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w living|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H1350"\w* \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w front|strong="H5048"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w pay|strong="H0241"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* widow \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* land \w and|strong="H3045"\w* keep \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* family, \w then|strong="H0310"\w* \w pay|strong="H0241"\w* \w her|strong="H1540"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* land, \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w next|strong="H1350"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* family \w who|strong="H0369"\w* \w has|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* right \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* land \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w her|strong="H1540"\w*, \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w*.” 
\p Naomi’s \w closest|strong="H1350"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* land \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w her|strong="H1540"\w*.” 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “If \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w also|strong="H3117"\w* \w marry|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w man’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w*, \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w first|strong="H3117"\w* child \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w get|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w stay|strong="H0854"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w man’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w family|strong="H4191"\w*.” 
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w close|strong="H1350"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w buy|strong="H1350"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w*. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3201"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w might|strong="H6435"\w* lose \w my|strong="H3588"\w* own \w land|strong="H5159"\w*. \w So|strong="H6435"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H3201"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w buy|strong="H1350"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H5159"\w*.” 
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* Boaz \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w show|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* serious. \w During|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w when|strong="H0376"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w bought|strong="H5414"\w* property, \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w person|strong="H0376"\w* \w took|strong="H5414"\w* \w off|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w sandal|strong="H5275"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w* \w person|strong="H0376"\w*. \w This|strong="H2063"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w like|strong="H3478"\w* signing \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w agreement|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 8 \w So|strong="H1350"\w* \w when|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w close|strong="H1350"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, “\w You|strong="H1350"\w* \w buy|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* land,” \w he|strong="H0559"\w* took off \w his|strong="H8025"\w* \w sandal|strong="H5275"\w* \w and|strong="H0559"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w it|strong="H1350"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*.\f + \fr 4:8  \fk and gave it to Boaz \ft This is from the ancient Greek version.\f* 
\p
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* am \w buying|strong="H7069"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Elimelech|strong="H0458"\w*, \w Kilion|strong="H3630"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w*. 
\v 10 \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w take|strong="H6965"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w man’s|strong="H0802"\w* \w property|strong="H5159"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w continue|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* belong \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w family|strong="H4191"\w*. \w And|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w always|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* remembered \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w family|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w hometown|strong="H4725"\w*. \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3117"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* am doing \w today|strong="H3117"\w*.” 
\p
\v 11 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* near \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H8179"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w We|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* bless \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w coming|strong="H0935"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w Rachel|strong="H7354"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Leah|strong="H3812"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ones \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* many \w children|strong="H1129"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w strong|strong="H2428"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w may|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w become|strong="H7121"\w* \w powerful|strong="H2428"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Ephrathah|strong="H0672"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*! 
\v 12 \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* bless \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* many \w children|strong="H2233"\w* \w through|strong="H4480"\w* Ruth. \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* great \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w*,\f + \fr 4:12  \fk Perez \ft One of Boaz’s ancestors.\f* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* son \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w bore|strong="H3205"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.” 
\p
\v 13 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w allowed|strong="H5414"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* pregnant, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* she \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 14 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w there|strong="H3068"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, “\w Praise|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w LORD|strong="H3068"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w child|strong="H7121"\w*.\f + \fr 4:14  \fk child \ft Literally, “protector” or “redeemer.” This might refer to Boaz, or the women might have used this name for the baby because he would be the one to care for Naomi and her family and to carry on the name of Elimelech.\f* \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w become|strong="H7121"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. 
\v 15 \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w make|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w alive|strong="H5315"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* care \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w age|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Your|strong="H0834"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w made|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w bore|strong="H3205"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w child|strong="H1121"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w loves|strong="H0157"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.” 
\p
\v 16 \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w boy|strong="H3206"\w*, \w held|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w in|strong="H0539"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w arms|strong="H2436"\w*, \w and|strong="H0853"\w* cared \w for|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\v 17 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w neighbors|strong="H7934"\w* \w gave|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* boy \w his|strong="H1732"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*. \w These|strong="H1931"\w* \w women|strong="H7934"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w has|strong="H0001"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* now!”\f + \fr 4:17  \fk Naomi … now \ft Literally, “A son was born for Naomi.”\f* \w They|strong="H0559"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w*. \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w Family|strong="H0001"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ruth \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Boaz 
\p
\v 18 \w This|strong="H0428"\w* \w is|strong="H0428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* family \w history|strong="H8435"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w*: 
\b
\li1 \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Hezron|strong="H2696"\w*. 
\li1
\v 19 \w Hezron|strong="H2696"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Ram|strong="H7410"\w*. 
\li1 \w Ram|strong="H7410"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Amminadab|strong="H5992"\w*. 
\li1
\v 20 \w Amminadab|strong="H5992"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Nahshon|strong="H5177"\w*. 
\li1 \w Nahshon|strong="H5177"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Salmon|strong="H8009"\w*. 
\li1
\v 21 \w Salmon|strong="H8012"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*. 
\li1 \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w*. 
\li1
\v 22 \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w*. 
\li1 \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*. 