The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Ruth 03
1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her,
“My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you,
that it may be well with you?
2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with
whose maidens you were? Behold, he
will be winnowing barley tonight on the
threshing floor.
3 Therefore wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the
threshing floor; but don’t make yourself
known to the man until he has finished
eating and drinking.
4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you
shall note the place where he is lying. Then
you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie
down. Then he will tell you what to do.”
5 She said to her, “All that you say, I will
do.”
6 She went down to the threshing floor,
and did everything that her mother-in-law
told her.
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and
his heart was merry, he went to lie down
at the end of the heap of grain. She came
softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 At midnight, the man was startled and
turned himself; and behold, a woman lay
at his feet.
9 He said, “Who are you?”
She answered, “I am Ruth your servant.
Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near
kinsman.”
10 He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more
kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young
men, whether poor or rich.
11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I
will do to you all that you say; for all the
city of my people knows that you are a
worthy woman.
12 Now itis true thatI amanear kinsman.
However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
13 Stay this night, and in the morning,
if he will perform for you the part of a
kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s
duty. But if he will not do the duty of a
kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of
a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives. Lie
down until the morning.”
14 She lay at his feet until the morning,
then she rose up before one could discern
another. For he said, “Let it not be known
that the woman came to the threshing
floor.”
15 He said, “Bring the mantle that is on
you, and hold it.” She held it; and he
measured six measures of barley, and laid
it on her; then he went into the city.
16 When she came to her mother-in-law,
she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”
She told her all that the man had done
for her.
17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty
to your mother-in-law.’ ”
18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter,
until you know what will happen; for the
man will not rest until he has settled this
today.”