Ruth Chapter 3

Ruth 3 — English translation

Translation: THE JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition. Verse numbers match the Hebrew text below.

1. 1Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “Daughter, I must seek a home for you, where you may be happy.
2. 2Now there is our kinsman Boaz, whose girls you were close to. He will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor tonight.
3. 3So bathe, anoint yourself, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor. But do not disclose yourself to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.
4. 4When he lies down, note the place where he lies down, and go over and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what you are to do.”
5. 5She replied, “I will do everything you tell me.”
6. 6She went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her.
7. 7Boaz ate and drank, and in a cheerful mood went to lie down beside the grainpile. Then she went over stealthily and uncovered his feet and lay down.
8. 8In the middle of the night, the man gave a start and pulled back—there was a woman lying at his feet!
9. 9“Who are you?” he asked. And she replied, “I am your handmaid Ruth. Spread your robe over your handmaid, for you are a redeeming kinsman.”
10. 10He exclaimed, “Be blessed of G OD , daughter! Your latest deed of loyalty is greater than the first, in that you have not turned to younger men, whether poor or rich.
11. 11And now, daughter, have no fear. I will do in your behalf whatever you ask, for all the elders of my town know what a fine woman you are.
12. 12But while it is true I am a redeeming kinsman, there is another redeemer closer than I.
13. 13Stay for the night. Then in the morning, if he will act as a redeemer, good! Let him redeem. But if he does not want to act as redeemer for you, I will do so myself, as G OD lives! Lie down until morning.”
14. 14So she lay at his feet until dawn. She rose before one person could distinguish another, for he thought, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”
15. 15And he said, “Hold out the shawl you are wearing.” She held it while he measured out six measures of barley, and he put it on her back. When she got back to the town,
16. 16she came to her mother-in-law, who asked, “How is it with you, daughter?” She told her all that the man had done for her;
17. 17and she added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying to me, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18. 18And Naomi said, “Stay here, daughter, till you learn how the matter turns out. For the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.”

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