took Moabitish women. One was named Arpa, and the other Ruth. And when they had dwelt there about ten years,

And Mahlon and Chilion died, both of them; and the woman was left unto both the sons, and to her husband.

And she arose with her two cords, and departed out of the land of Moab: for she had heard in the land of Moab that the LORD had visited his people, and given them bread.

And she went out of the place where she was, and her two cords with her. And she went by the way, that she might return into the land of Judah,

And she said unto her two cords, Go and return, every one to her mother’s house: the LORD
have mercy on you, as ye have had mercy on the dead, and on me.

The LORD grant that ye may find rest, every one in her husband’s house. And kissed them.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept.

And said unto her, We will go with thee unto thy people.

And Naomi said, Return, my daughters; why will ye go with me? How can I have children in my womb to be your husbands?

Return, my daughters, and go; for I am now too old to take a husband. And if I say, It is to be hoped that I shall take a husband this night, and bring forth children, 13. How can ye wait till they be grown up? How will ye pardon, that ye should not take men?
Not so, my daughters: for I am very sorry for you, because the hand of the LORD is gone out upon me.

And they lifted up their voice, and wept more. And Arpah kissed her sister in law: but Ruth abode with her.

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is turned unto her people, and unto her God: turn thou also after thy sister in law.

And Ruth said, Speak not to me, that I should leave thee, and turn from thee. Whither thou goest, I will go: whither thou stayest, I will stay. Thy people are my people, and thy God is my God.

Where thou diest, there die I also; there will I be buried also. The LORD do this for me, and this for me: Death shall separate me from thee.

And when she saw that she was minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her of it.

So the two went together until they came to Bethlehem. And when they were come to Bethlehem, all the city was moved about them, saying, Is this Naomi?

And she said unto them: Call me not Naomi, but Mara: for the Almighty hath greatly grieved me.

I went out full, but the LORD brought me home empty. Why then call ye me Naomi, when the LORD hath humbled me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

And it came to pass about the time of the barley harvest, that Naomi and Ruth the Moabitess, her wife, returned from the land of Moab unto Bethlehem.
(Ruth)
Chapter 2
Ruth picks up ears of corn in Boaz’s field.

There was also a man, the friend of Naomi, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz; he was a goodly man.

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me go into the field, and glean ears of corn, after him that I find grace in. And she said unto her, Go thy way, my daughter.

And she went, and came, and gleaned after the reapers in the field. And it came to pass, that the same field was Boaz’s, who was of the family of Elimelech.

And, behold, Boaz came even from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered: The LORD bless thee.

And Boaz said unto his lad that was set over the reapers, Whose is the damsel?

And the lad that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the damsel the Moabitess, which came again with Naomi out of the country of Moab.

For she said, Let me glean, I pray thee, and gather me among the sheaves after the reapers: and she came and stood there from the morning until now, and tarried a little at home.

And Boaz said unto Ruth, Hearest thou, my daughter? Thou shalt not go to glean another field; neither go thou hence, but keep thee with my damsels;

And, behold, where they cut in the field, go after them. I have commanded my son that no man should touch thee. And if thou thirst, go to the vessel, and drink where my servants draw.

And she fell on her face, and worshipped the earth, and said unto him, Wherefore have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest know me, which am a stranger?

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It is told me all that thou hast done unto thy wife after the death of thy husband, that thou hast left thy father, and thy mother, and thy country, and hast gone unto a people which thou knewest not before.

The LORD repay thee for thy deed: and let thy reward be perfect with the LORD God of Israel, unto whom thou camest, that thou mayest have confidence under his wings.

And she said, Let me find grace in thine eyes, my lord: for thou hast comforted me, and hast spoken kindly unto thine handmaid, when I am not as one of thy handmaids.

And Boaz said unto her, When it is time to eat, come hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat down by the side of the reapers. And he put singing before her: and she did eat, and was filled, and left over.

And when she arose to read, Boaz commanded his lads, saying, Let her also read among the sheaves, and shame her not.

And of the heaps also let it remain, and let it lie, that they may gather it up; and let no man reproach them for it.

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that which she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

And she took it up, and came into the city. And her sister in law saw it, what she had read.
And she drew out, and gave her that which was left her, whereof she was filled.

And her husband’s wife said unto her, Where hast thou read this day, and where hast thou wrought? Blessed is he that knoweth thee. And she told her husband’s wife with whom she had wrought, saying, The man with whom I wrought this day is called Boaz.

And Naomi said unto her cord, Blessed be he unto the LORD, for he hath not left his mercy, both on the living, and on the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is ours, and he is our inheritance.

And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said also this unto me, Thou shalt cleave unto my lads, until they have reaped all for me.

And Naomi said unto Ruth her cord, It is better, my daughter, that thou go out with his damsels, lest any man spoil thee in another field.

So she went to the damsels of Boaz, and read until the harvest of barley and wheat was ended. And she came again to her wife in law.
(Ruth)
Chapter 3
Ruth gets good notice about future marriage.

And Naomi her sister in law said unto her, My daughter, I will give thee rest, and it shall be well with thee.

Now Boaz our friend, where thou hast been with the damsel, winnoweth barley in his threshingfloor this night.

Bathe thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put on thy garment, and go down into the threshingfloor, that no man may know thee, till they have eaten and drunk wholly.

And when he lieth down, mark the place where he lieth down; and come and uncover at his feet, and lie down, and he shall tell thee what thou shalt do.

And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.

And she went down to the threshingfloor, and did according to all that her sister in law had commanded.

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, his heart was merry; and he came and lay behind an almond. And she came softly, and uncovered at his feet, and lay down.

And it came to pass, when midnight was come, that the man was afraid and shaken: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

And he said, Who art thou? And she answered: I am Ruth thy handmaid. Spread thy wing over thy handmaid, for thou art the heir.

And he said, Blessed art thou unto the LORD, my daughter. Thou hast done a better mercy afterward than thou didst before, in that thou hast not gone after the young men, rich or poor.

Now, my daughter, fear not. All that thou sayest I will do unto thee: for all the city of my people know that thou art a virtuous woman.

Well, it is true that I am the heir; but there is one nearer than I.

Stay the night. Tomorrow, if he take thee, well; but if he desire not to take thee, I will take thee, as the LORD liveth. Sleep till to morrow.

And she slept at his feet until the morning. And she arose before any man knew another: and he thought that no man might know that a woman was come into the threshingfloor.

And she said, Bring forth the cloak that thou hast on, and shut it. And she shut it. And he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And he came into the city.

And she came to her husband’s wife, and she said,