1 N ow it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons.

2 A nd the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

The man’s name was Elimelech and his wife’s name was Naomi and his two sons were named Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem of Judah. They went to the country of Moab and continued there.

3 A nd Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

But Elimelech, who Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.

4 A nd they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

And they took wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They dwelt there about ten years;

5 A nd Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

And Mahlon and Chilion died also, both of them, so the woman was bereft of her two sons and her husband.

6 T hen she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in Moab how the Lord had visited His people in giving them food.

7 W herefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

So she left the place where she was, her two daughters-in-law with her, and they started on the way back to Judah.

8 A nd Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 T he Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

The Lord grant that you may find a home and rest, each in the house of her husband! Then she kissed them and they wept aloud.

10 A nd they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

And they said to her, No, we will return with you to your people.

11 A nd Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

But Naomi said, Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that may become your husbands?

12 T urn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

Turn back, my daughters, go; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband tonight and should bear sons,

13 w ould ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

Would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; it is far more bitter for me than for you that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

14 A nd they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

Then they wept aloud again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15 A nd she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

And Naomi said, See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.

16 A nd Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

And Ruth said, Urge me not to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

17 w here thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts me from you.

18 W hen she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said no more.

19 S o they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

So they both went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred about them, and said, Is this Naomi?

20 A nd she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

And she said to them, Call me not Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

I went out full, but the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?

22 S o Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.