\id RUT  
\h Ruth 
\toc1 Ruth 
\toc2 Ruth 
\mt1 Ruth  
\c 1  
\s1 A Family Tragedy: Famine and Death  
\p
\v 1  \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w judges|strong="H8199"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w famine|strong="H7458"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w live|strong="H1481"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* resident \w foreigner|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* region \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w along|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* wife \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 2  (\w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* Elimelech, \w his|strong="H1961"\w* wife \w was|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 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 of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* clan \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Ephrath \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.) \w They|strong="H8033"\w* entered \w the|strong="H1961"\w* region \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* settled \w there|strong="H8033"\w*.  
\v 3  Sometime later \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*’s husband Elimelech \w died|strong="H4191"\w*, \w so|strong="H4191"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w her|strong="H1931"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* \w alone|strong="H7604"\w*.  
\v 4  \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w* sons \w married|strong="H3427"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* women. (\w One|strong="H5375"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Orpah|strong="H6204"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H5375"\w* \w other|strong="H8145"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*.) \w And|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w continued|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H8033"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w about|strong="H8033"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* Naomi’s \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w sons|strong="H3206"\w*, \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w* \w and|strong="H8147"\w* \w Kilion|strong="H3630"\w*, \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w*. \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* woman \w was|strong="H3206"\w* \w left|strong="H7604"\w* \w all|strong="H4191"\w* \w alone|strong="H7604"\w* – bereaved \w of|strong="H8147"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w children|strong="H3206"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w* husband!  
\v 6  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w decided|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* region \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, accompanied \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3068"\w* living \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* shown concern \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, reversing \w the|strong="H8085"\w* famine \w by|strong="H3068"\w* providing abundant crops.   
\s1 Ruth Returns with Naomi  
\p
\v 7  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H8147"\w* \w and|strong="H3063"\w* \w her|strong="H3318"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w began|strong="H3063"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w leave|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w she|strong="H8147"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w living|strong="H1870"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*,  
\v 8  \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w daughters-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, “Listen \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*! \w Each|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w should|strong="H3068"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* mother’s \w home|strong="H1004"\w*! \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w show|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* same kind \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w devotion|strong="H2617"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w shown|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w deceased|strong="H4191"\w* \w husbands|strong="H5973"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*!  
\v 9  \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* enable \w each|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w security|strong="H4496"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* new husband!” \w Then|strong="H5375"\w* she \w kissed|strong="H5401"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* goodbye \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w they|strong="H3068"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*.  
\v 10  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w*, “No! \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* replied, “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*, \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*! \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w no|strong="H1961"\w* \w reason|strong="H5973"\w* \w for|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Judah \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w*! \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w no|strong="H1961"\w* \w longer|strong="H5750"\w* capable \w of|strong="H1121"\w* giving birth \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w might|strong="H1121"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w husbands|strong="H5973"\w*!  
\v 12  \w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*, \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*! \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w too|strong="H1571"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w get|strong="H3212"\w* married \w again|strong="H7725"\w*. \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* thought \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w hope|strong="H8615"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* \w get|strong="H3212"\w* married \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* conceive \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*,  
\v 13  \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* want \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w wait|strong="H7663"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w old|strong="H1323"\w* \w enough|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w*! \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* \w remain|strong="H1961"\w* unmarried \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3318"\w*! \w No|strong="H1115"\w*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w daughters|strong="H1323"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* must \w not|strong="H1115"\w* return \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* intense suffering \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w too|strong="H4480"\w* \w much|strong="H3966"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w bear|strong="H3318"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* afflicting \w me|strong="H4480"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w Again|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H5375"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5375"\w* \w Orpah|strong="H6204"\w* \w kissed|strong="H5401"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* goodbye, \w but|strong="H5750"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w clung|strong="H1692"\w* tightly \w to|strong="H5375"\w* \w her|strong="H5375"\w*.  
\v 15  \w So|strong="H7725"\w* Naomi said, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w sister-in-law|strong="H2994"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w returning|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* god. Follow \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w sister-in-law|strong="H2994"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H7725"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* replied,  
\q1 “Stop \w urging|strong="H6293"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w abandon|strong="H5800"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* wherever \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*.  
\q1 Wherever \w you|strong="H3588"\w* live, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* live.  
\q1 \w Your|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w become|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* God \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w become|strong="H7725"\w* \w my|strong="H7725"\w* God.   
\q1
\v 17  \w Wherever|strong="H8033"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w* – \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w buried|strong="H6912"\w*.  
\q1 \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w punish|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* severely \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H3068"\w* \w promise|strong="H3068"\w*!  
\q1 \w Only|strong="H3588"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w will|strong="H3068"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* able \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w separate|strong="H6504"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*!”   
\p
\v 18  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* Naomi \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* Ruth \w was|strong="H1931"\w* determined \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w*, \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w stopped|strong="H2308"\w* trying \w to|strong="H1696"\w* dissuade \w her|strong="H7200"\w*.  
\v 19  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* journeyed \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.  
\s1 \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* Ruth Arrive \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*  
\p \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w entered|strong="H5704"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w village|strong="H1949"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* excited \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* arrival. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* women \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w village|strong="H1949"\w* said, “\w Can|strong="H8147"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*?”  
\v 20  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* replied \w to|strong="H7121"\w* \w them|strong="H7121"\w*, “Don’t \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w* ‘\w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*’! \w Call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w* ‘\w Mara|strong="H4755"\w*’ \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* Sovereign \w One|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* treated \w me|strong="H7121"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w harshly|strong="H4843"\w*.  
\v 21  \w I|strong="H4100"\w* \w left|strong="H1980"\w* here \w full|strong="H4392"\w*, \w but|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* caused \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w empty-handed|strong="H7387"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H7489"\w* \w you|strong="H7725"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H7725"\w* ‘\w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*,’ seeing \w that|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* opposed \w me|strong="H7725"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* Sovereign \w One|strong="H3068"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* caused \w me|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w suffer|strong="H7489"\w*?”  
\v 22  \w So|strong="H7725"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w*, \w accompanied|strong="H5973"\w* \w by|strong="H4124"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w who|strong="H1992"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* region \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*. (Now \w they|strong="H1992"\w* arrived \w in|strong="H7725"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w at|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w beginning|strong="H8462"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*.)   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  Now \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w had|strong="H3045"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* relative \w on|strong="H8034"\w* \w her|strong="H3045"\w* husband’s side \w of|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*. \w He|strong="H3045"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wealthy|strong="H2428"\w*, \w prominent|strong="H2428"\w* \w man|strong="H1368"\w* \w from|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w clan|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H8034"\w* Elimelech.  
\v 2  One day \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* said \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H4994"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H4672"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w so|strong="H4672"\w* \w I|strong="H4672"\w* \w can|strong="H4994"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w grain|strong="H7641"\w* behind whoever \w permits|strong="H5869"\w* \w me|strong="H4994"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w do|strong="H5869"\w* \w so|strong="H4672"\w*.” \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* replied, “\w You|strong="H4672"\w* \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w my|strong="H4672"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.”  
\v 3  So Ruth \w went|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3212"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* behind \w the|strong="H3212"\w* harvesters. \w Now|strong="H3212"\w* she just \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* end \w up|strong="H3950"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3212"\w* \w portion|strong="H2513"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H3212"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* belonging \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, who \w was|strong="H4940"\w* \w from|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3212"\w* \w clan|strong="H4940"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* Elimelech.   
\s1 Boaz and Ruth Meet  
\p
\v 4  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w at|strong="H3068"\w* \w that|strong="H3068"\w* very moment, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* arrived \w from|strong="H3068"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w and|strong="H3068"\w* \w greeted|strong="H1288"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* harvesters, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*!” \w They|strong="H3068"\w* replied, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w*!”  
\v 5  \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* asked \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* harvesters, “\w To|strong="H5921"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* does \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* belong?”  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* harvesters \w replied|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w She|strong="H1931"\w*’s \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* region \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*.  
\v 7  \w She|strong="H1242"\w* asked, ‘\w May|strong="H4994"\w* \w I|strong="H5704"\w* follow \w the|strong="H5704"\w* harvesters \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w among|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* bundles?’ \w Since|strong="H5704"\w* \w she|strong="H1242"\w* arrived \w she|strong="H1242"\w* \w has|strong="H2088"\w* \w been|strong="H4592"\w* working \w hard|strong="H1004"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w now|strong="H6258"\w* – except \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* resting hut \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w short|strong="H7114"\w* \w time|strong="H6258"\w*.”   
\p
\v 8  \w So|strong="H3541"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w said|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, “\w Listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w carefully|strong="H8085"\w*, \w my|strong="H8085"\w* dear! \w Do|strong="H8085"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* leave \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w in|strong="H8085"\w* \w another|strong="H2088"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w You|strong="H5973"\w* need \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w beyond|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* limits \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w You|strong="H5973"\w* \w may|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w beside|strong="H5973"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w female|strong="H1323"\w* workers.  
\v 9  \w Take|strong="H1980"\w* note \w of|strong="H3627"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* harvesting \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w follow|strong="H1980"\w* \w behind|strong="H1980"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* female workers. \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* tell \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w men|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w leave|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* alone. \w When|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w thirsty|strong="H6770"\w*, \w you|strong="H6680"\w* \w may|strong="H7704"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w water|strong="H7579"\w* \w jars|strong="H3627"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* some \w of|strong="H3627"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w water|strong="H7579"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w draw|strong="H7579"\w*.”   
\p
\v 10  \w Ruth|strong="H5234"\w* \w knelt|strong="H5234"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* forehead \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w ground|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* said \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H6440"\w* \w so|strong="H4672"\w* kind \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w so|strong="H4672"\w* \w attentive|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*, \w even|strong="H5869"\w* though \w I|strong="H5921"\w* am \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w foreigner|strong="H5237"\w*?”  
\v 11  \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*, “\w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w been|strong="H4194"\w* \w given|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w full|strong="H3605"\w* \w report|strong="H5046"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w following|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* husband – \w how|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w left|strong="H5800"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* father \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* mother, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w well|strong="H3045"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* homeland, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* live \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w previously|strong="H8543"\w*.  
\v 12  \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w reward|strong="H7999"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* efforts! \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w acts|strong="H6467"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* kindness \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w repaid|strong="H7999"\w* \w fully|strong="H8003"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w God|strong="H3068"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w from|strong="H3478"\w* whom \w you|strong="H5973"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w sought|strong="H2620"\w* \w protection|strong="H2620"\w*!”  
\v 13  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* really \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w being|strong="H1961"\w* kind \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, sir, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* reassured \w and|strong="H5869"\w* encouraged \w me|strong="H5921"\w*, \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servant|strong="H8198"\w*, \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H5869"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w servants|strong="H8198"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w Later|strong="H4480"\w* during \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w mealtime|strong="H6256"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* said \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w her|strong="H6642"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H5066"\w* \w here|strong="H1988"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w have|strong="H7646"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*! \w Dip|strong="H2881"\w* \w your|strong="H4480"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w vinegar|strong="H2558"\w*!” \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H6256"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w beside|strong="H6654"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* harvesters. \w Then|strong="H5066"\w* \w he|strong="H4480"\w* handed \w her|strong="H6642"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w roasted|strong="H7039"\w* \w grain|strong="H7039"\w*. \w She|strong="H6256"\w* ate \w until|strong="H3899"\w* \w she|strong="H6256"\w* \w was|strong="H3427"\w* \w full|strong="H7646"\w* \w and|strong="H3899"\w* \w saved|strong="H3498"\w* \w the|strong="H4480"\w* \w rest|strong="H3498"\w*.  
\v 15  \w When|strong="H1571"\w* \w she|strong="H1571"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w his|strong="H6680"\w* male \w servants|strong="H5288"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w among|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H6680"\w* bundles! Don’t chase \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w off|strong="H3637"\w*!  
\v 16  \w Make|strong="H7997"\w* sure \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w pull|strong="H7997"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* ears \w of|strong="H4480"\w* grain \w for|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w and|strong="H1571"\w* drop \w them|strong="H4480"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H1571"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* \w them|strong="H4480"\w* \w up|strong="H3950"\w*. Don’t tell \w her|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H4480"\w*!”  
\v 17  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H6153"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H6153"\w* \w threshed|strong="H2251"\w* what \w she|strong="H6153"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w*, \w it|strong="H1961"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* thirty \w pounds|strong="H8184"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*!   
\s1 Ruth Returns to Naomi  
\p
\v 18  \w She|strong="H5892"\w* \w carried|strong="H5375"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w back|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*, \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* how \w much|strong="H3498"\w* grain \w she|strong="H5892"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3950"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* Ruth \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* roasted grain \w she|strong="H5892"\w* \w had|strong="H5414"\w* \w saved|strong="H3498"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* mealtime.  
\v 19  \w Her|strong="H5046"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* asked \w her|strong="H5046"\w*, “Where \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w gather|strong="H3950"\w* grain \w today|strong="H3117"\w*? Where \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w work|strong="H6213"\w*? \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w took|strong="H1961"\w* \w notice|strong="H5234"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w rewarded|strong="H1288"\w*!” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H5234"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* whom \w she|strong="H5973"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w worked|strong="H6213"\w*. \w She|strong="H5973"\w* said, “\w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* man \w with|strong="H5973"\w* whom \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w worked|strong="H6213"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*.”  
\v 20  \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w her|strong="H3618"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w because|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w shown|strong="H5800"\w* \w loyalty|strong="H2617"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w on|strong="H3068"\w* behalf \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w*!” \w Then|strong="H3068"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* said \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w her|strong="H3618"\w*, “\w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w close|strong="H7138"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* ours; \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* guardian.”  
\v 21  \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* replied, “\w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* told \w me|strong="H5973"\w*, ‘\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H5288"\w* \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w beside|strong="H5973"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w finished|strong="H3615"\w* \w gathering|strong="H1692"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*!’”  
\v 22  \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w then|strong="H3318"\w* \w said|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w her|strong="H3318"\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 my|strong="H3318"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* work \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w female|strong="H1323"\w* servants. \w That|strong="H3588"\w* way \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* harmed, \w which|strong="H7704"\w* could \w happen|strong="H6293"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w another|strong="H3808"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w*.”  
\v 23  \w So|strong="H3427"\w* Ruth \w worked|strong="H5704"\w* \w beside|strong="H5704"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*’s \w female|strong="H5291"\w* servants, \w gathering|strong="H1692"\w* \w grain|strong="H2406"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w end|strong="H3615"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* well \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w wheat|strong="H2406"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7105"\w*. \w After|strong="H5704"\w* \w that|strong="H5704"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* \w stayed|strong="H3427"\w* home \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w her|strong="H5291"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  \w At|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* time, \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, \w her|strong="H3190"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*, said \w to|strong="H1245"\w* \w her|strong="H3190"\w*, “\w My|strong="H1245"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w I|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w find|strong="H1245"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* home \w for|strong="H1245"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* secure.  
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, \w with|strong="H1961"\w* whose \w female|strong="H5291"\w* servants \w you|strong="H3808"\w* worked, \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w our|strong="H1961"\w* close relative. \w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w winnowing|strong="H2219"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*.  
\v 3  \w So|strong="H7760"\w* \w bathe|strong="H7364"\w* \w yourself|strong="H5921"\w*, rub \w on|strong="H5921"\w* some perfumed oil, \w and|strong="H3381"\w* \w get|strong="H7760"\w* dressed \w up|strong="H7760"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3045"\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="H5921"\w* don’t \w let|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w man|strong="H3045"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w*’re \w there|strong="H3045"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w finishes|strong="H3615"\w* \w his|strong="H7760"\w* meal.  
\v 4  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* gets \w ready|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w*, \w take|strong="H6213"\w* careful \w notice|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w lies|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1540"\w*, \w uncover|strong="H1540"\w* \w his|strong="H3045"\w* legs, \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w beside|strong="H4772"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w should|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\v 5  Ruth replied \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Naomi, “\w I|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\s1 Ruth Visits Boaz  
\p
\v 6  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* she \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="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w had|strong="H6680"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 7  \w When|strong="H7901"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w had|strong="H1162"\w* finished \w his|strong="H1540"\w* meal \w and|strong="H8354"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* feeling \w satisfied|strong="H3190"\w*, \w he|strong="H8354"\w* \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w at|strong="H7097"\w* \w the|strong="H1540"\w* far \w end|strong="H7097"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H1540"\w* \w grain|strong="H6194"\w* \w heap|strong="H6194"\w*. Then Ruth crept \w up|strong="H8354"\w* \w quietly|strong="H3909"\w*, \w uncovered|strong="H1540"\w* \w his|strong="H1540"\w* legs, \w and|strong="H8354"\w* \w lay|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w beside|strong="H4772"\w* \w him|strong="H7097"\w*.  
\v 8  \w In|strong="H7901"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w middle|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w he|strong="H2677"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w startled|strong="H2729"\w* \w and|strong="H3915"\w* \w turned|strong="H1961"\w* over. \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H2677"\w* \w saw|strong="H2009"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w lying|strong="H7901"\w* \w beside|strong="H4772"\w* \w him|strong="H2729"\w*!  
\v 9  \w He|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w are|strong="H4310"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*?” \w She|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w*, \w your|strong="H5921"\w* servant. \w Marry|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* servant, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H4310"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* guardian \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* family interests.”  
\v 10  \w He|strong="H3068"\w* said, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H1288"\w* \w be|strong="H3068"\w* \w rewarded|strong="H1288"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd*, \w my|strong="H3068"\w* dear! \w This|strong="H3068"\w* act \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w devotion|strong="H2617"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* greater \w than|strong="H4480"\w* what \w you|strong="H1288"\w* \w did|strong="H3068"\w* \w before|strong="H4480"\w*. \w For|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H1288"\w* \w have|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H1115"\w* sought \w to|strong="H3212"\w* marry \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w young|strong="H1115"\w* \w men|strong="H6223"\w*, \w whether|strong="H4480"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w or|strong="H4480"\w* \w poor|strong="H1800"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* dear, don’t \w worry|strong="H3372"\w*! \w I|strong="H3588"\w* intend \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* propose, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* village \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w worthy|strong="H2428"\w* \w woman|strong="H1323"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w yes|strong="H3588"\w*, \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* true \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* guardian, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w another|strong="H1571"\w* guardian \w who|strong="H7138"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w closer|strong="H7138"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w am|strong="H3426"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Remain|strong="H1961"\w* \w here|strong="H5704"\w* \w tonight|strong="H3915"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* agrees \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w*, \w fine|strong="H2896"\w*, \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w him|strong="H2896"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w do|strong="H3068"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w*, \w I|strong="H5704"\w* \w promise|strong="H1350"\w*, \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w surely|strong="H1961"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w marry|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H5704"\w*. \w Sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w here|strong="H5704"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*.”  
\v 14  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w slept|strong="H7901"\w* \w beside|strong="H5704"\w* \w him|strong="H3045"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*. \w She|strong="H3588"\w* woke \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1242"\w* \w still|strong="H7901"\w* dark. Boaz \w thought|strong="H3045"\w*, “\w No|strong="H3045"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* must \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman visited \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w threshing|strong="H1637"\w* \w floor|strong="H1637"\w*.”  
\v 15  Then \w he|strong="H5921"\w* said, “\w Hold|strong="H7896"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* shawl \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H5892"\w* wearing \w and|strong="H5892"\w* grip \w it|strong="H5921"\w* tightly.” \w As|strong="H5892"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* held \w it|strong="H5921"\w* tightly, \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w measured|strong="H4058"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w sixty|strong="H8337"\w* \w pounds|strong="H8184"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w barley|strong="H8184"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* shawl \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w put|strong="H7896"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* shoulders. Then \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w went|strong="H5892"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*,  
\v 16  \w and|strong="H6213"\w* she returned \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*.  
\s1 Ruth Returns \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Naomi  
\p \w When|strong="H6213"\w* Ruth returned \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w*, Naomi asked, “\w How|strong="H4310"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* turn \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*, \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*?” Ruth \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H6213"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 17  \w She|strong="H3588"\w* said, “\w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* these \w sixty|strong="H8337"\w* \w pounds|strong="H8184"\w* of \w barley|strong="H8184"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* said \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘Do \w not|strong="H5414"\w* go \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w mother-in-law|strong="H2545"\w* \w empty-handed|strong="H7387"\w*.’”  
\v 18  \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* Naomi \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Stay|strong="H3427"\w* \w put|strong="H3615"\w*, \w my|strong="H3045"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w turns|strong="H5307"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w man|strong="H5307"\w* \w will|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rest|strong="H8252"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* \w taken|strong="H3427"\w* \w care|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*.”   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H2009"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w went|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* village \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w along|strong="H5674"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* guardian whom \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w had|strong="H1162"\w* \w mentioned|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* Ruth! \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Come|strong="H5927"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*, ‘John Doe’!” \w So|strong="H5927"\w* \w he|strong="H8033"\w* \w came|strong="H5927"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 2  Boaz chose \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* village \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H5892"\w* said, “\w Sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H6311"\w*!” \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w they|strong="H3947"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w*.  
\v 3  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* Boaz said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* guardian, “\w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, \w who|strong="H4376"\w* \w has|strong="H4124"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* region \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4124"\w*, \w is|strong="H4124"\w* \w selling|strong="H4376"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w portion|strong="H2513"\w* \w of|strong="H7704"\w* \w land|strong="H7704"\w* \w that|strong="H7725"\w* belongs \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w our|strong="H7725"\w* \w relative|strong="H1350"\w* Elimelech.  
\v 4  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am legally \w informing|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*: \w Acquire|strong="H7069"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w before|strong="H5048"\w* \w those|strong="H3427"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w here|strong="H1350"\w* \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w before|strong="H5048"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w of|strong="H3427"\w* \w my|strong="H3045"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*! \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w want|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1540"\w* exercise \w your|strong="H3045"\w* \w right|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H1540"\w* \w redeem|strong="H1350"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*, \w then|strong="H3588"\w* do \w so|strong="H3808"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w*, \w then|strong="H3588"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w me|strong="H5046"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* possess \w the|strong="H3588"\w* first option \w to|strong="H1540"\w* \w redeem|strong="H1350"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*; \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w next|strong="H1350"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* line \w after|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.” \w He|strong="H3588"\w* replied, “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w redeem|strong="H1350"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* said, “\w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w acquire|strong="H7069"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w field|strong="H7704"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w also|strong="H8034"\w* \w acquire|strong="H7069"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* wife \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w our|strong="H5921"\w* \w deceased|strong="H4191"\w* \w relative|strong="H7069"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w order|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* preserve \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w family|strong="H4191"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w raising|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* descendant \w who|strong="H4125"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w inherit|strong="H5159"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w property|strong="H5159"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* guardian said, “\w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w unable|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w redeem|strong="H1350"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* would \w ruin|strong="H7843"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* own \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w* \w in|strong="H5159"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w case|strong="H3588"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H3201"\w* exercise \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w redemption|strong="H1353"\w* option, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w unable|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w redeem|strong="H1350"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.”  
\v 7  (\w Now|strong="H5414"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w used|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* customary \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* finalize \w a|strong="H3068"\w* transaction \w involving|strong="H5921"\w* \w redemption|strong="H1353"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*: \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H3478"\w* \w remove|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w sandal|strong="H5275"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w* party. \w This|strong="H2063"\w* \w was|strong="H3478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* legally binding \w act|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.)  
\v 8  \w So|strong="H1350"\w* \w the|strong="H7069"\w* guardian said \w to|strong="H1350"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, “\w You|strong="H1350"\w* may \w acquire|strong="H7069"\w* \w it|strong="H1350"\w*,” \w and|strong="H5275"\w* \w he|strong="H7069"\w* \w removed|strong="H8025"\w* \w his|strong="H8025"\w* \w sandal|strong="H5275"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Then|strong="H3588"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* said \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w acquired|strong="H7069"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H3027"\w* Elimelech, \w Kilion|strong="H3630"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w*.  
\v 10  \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w acquired|strong="H7069"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Moabite|strong="H4125"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* wife \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mahlon|strong="H4248"\w*, \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* wife \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w raise|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* descendant \w who|strong="H4125"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w inherit|strong="H5159"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w property|strong="H5159"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w deceased|strong="H4191"\w* \w might|strong="H4725"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w disappear|strong="H3772"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w among|strong="H5973"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* relatives \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H3772"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* village. \w You|strong="H5921"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*.”  
\v 11  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H3478"\w* \w at|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w elders|strong="H2205"\w* replied, “\w We|strong="H6213"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w witnesses|strong="H5707"\w*. \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w woman|strong="H8034"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3068"\w* entering \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w like|strong="H1004"\w* \w Rachel|strong="H7354"\w* \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w Leah|strong="H3812"\w*, \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*! \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* prosper \w in|strong="H3478"\w* Ephrathah \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w become|strong="H7121"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w*.  
\v 12  \w May|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w* – whom \w Tamar|strong="H8559"\w* \w bore|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w* – \w through|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w by|strong="H3068"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*.”   
\s1 A Grandson is Born to Naomi  
\p
\v 13  \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w Ruth|strong="H7327"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H3068"\w* \w sexual|strong="H3947"\w* relations \w with|strong="H3068"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w enabled|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w conceive|strong="H2032"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* she \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3068"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 14  \w The|strong="H3068"\w* village women \w said|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3478"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*, “\w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w the|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w Lord|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w praised|strong="H1288"\w* \w because|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w has|strong="H3068"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w left|strong="H7673"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* guardian \w today|strong="H3117"\w*! \w May|strong="H3068"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w become|strong="H7121"\w* \w famous|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H3478"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*!  
\v 15  \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* encourage \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w provide|strong="H3557"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w old|strong="H1121"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w your|strong="H7725"\w* \w daughter-in-law|strong="H3618"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* loves \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w given|strong="H3205"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*!”  
\v 16  \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w child|strong="H3206"\w* \w and|strong="H3947"\w* \w placed|strong="H3947"\w* \w him|strong="H3947"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w lap|strong="H2436"\w*; she \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* caregiver.  
\v 17  \w The|strong="H3205"\w* \w neighbor|strong="H7934"\w* \w women|strong="H7934"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w*, saying, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w has|strong="H3205"\w* been \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w Naomi|strong="H5281"\w*.” \w They|strong="H1931"\w* \w named|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w*. \w Now|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w became|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w* – \w David|strong="H1732"\w*’s \w father|strong="H3205"\w*!   
\s1 Epilogue: Obed in the Genealogy of David  
\p
\v 18  These are \w the|strong="H3205"\w* descendants \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w*: \w Perez|strong="H6557"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Hezron|strong="H2696"\w*,  
\v 19  \w Hezron|strong="H2696"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Ram|strong="H7410"\w*, \w Ram|strong="H7410"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Amminadab|strong="H5992"\w*,  
\v 20  \w Amminadab|strong="H5992"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Nachshon|strong="H5177"\w*, \w Nachshon|strong="H5177"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* Salmah,  
\v 21  \w Salmon|strong="H8012"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w*, \w Boaz|strong="H1162"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w*,  
\v 22  \w Obed|strong="H5744"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w*, \w and|strong="H1732"\w* \w Jesse|strong="H3448"\w* \w was|strong="H1732"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3205"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*.   