Ruth 3
3
1Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek a home for you, that it may be well with you? 2Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3Wash therefore and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” 5And she replied, “All that you say I will do.”
6So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had told her. 7And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! 9He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant; spread your skirt over your maidservant, for you are next of kin.” 10And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter; you have made this last kindness greater than the first, in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, do not fear, I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of worth. 12And now it is true that I am a near kinsman, yet there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will do the part of the next of kin for you, well; let him do it; but if he is not willing to do the part of the next of kin for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will do the part of the next of kin for you. Lie down until the morning.”
14So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15And he said, “Bring the mantle you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley, and laid it upon her; then she went into the city. 16And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17saying, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ” 18She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.”
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
Ruth 3
3
1After she was returned to her mother-in-law, Noemi said to her: My daughter, I will seek rest for thee, and will provide that it may be well with thee.
2This Booz, with whose maids thou wast joined in the field, is our near kinsman: and, behold, this night he winnoweth barley in the threshing-floor.
3Wash thyself therefore and anoint thee, and put on thy best garments, and go down to the barnfloor: but let not the man see thee, till he shall have done eating and drinking.
4And when he shall go to sleep, mark the place wherein he sleepeth. And thou shalt go in, and lift up the clothes wherewith he is covered towards his feet. And shalt lay thyself down there: and he will tell thee what thou must do.
5She answered: Whatsoever thou shalt command, I will do.
6And she went down to the barnfloor, and did all that her mother-in-law had bid her.
7And when Booz had eaten, and drunk, and was merry, he went to sleep by the heap of sheaves, and she came softly and uncovering his feet, laid herself down.
8And, behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet,
9And he said to her: Who art thou? And she answered: I am Ruth thy handmaid. Spread thy coverlet over thy servant, for thou art a near kinsman.
10And he said: Blessed art thou of the Lord, my daughter, and thy latter kindness has surpassed the former; because thou hast not followed young men either poor or rich.
11Fear not therefore, but whatsoever thou shalt say to me I will do to thee. For all the people that dwell within the gates of my city know that thou art a virtuous woman.
12Neither do I deny myself to be near of kin, but there is another nearer than I.
13Rest thou this night: and when morning is come, if he will take thee by the right of kindred, all is well. But if he will not, I will undoubtedly take thee, as the Lord liveth. Sleep till the morning.
14So she slept at his feet till the night was going off. And she arose before men could know one another, and Booz said: Beware lest any man know that thou camest hither.
15And again he said: Spread thy mantle, wherewith thou art covered, and hold it with both hands. And when she spread it and held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And she carried it and went into the city,
16And came to her mother-in-law; who said to her: What hast thou done, daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
17And she said: Behold, he hath given me six measures of barley; for he said: I will not have thee return empty to thy mother-in-law.
18And Noemi said: Wait my daughter, till we see what end the thing will have. For the man will not rest until he have accomplished what he hath said.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.