1 N aomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to Ruth, My daughter, shall I not seek rest or a home for you, that you may prosper?

2 N ow isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.

And now is not Boaz, with whose maidens you were, our relative? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

3 T herefore 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.

Wash and anoint yourself therefore, 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.

4 I t 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 lay down. Then he will tell you what to do.”

But when he lies down, notice the place where he lies; then go and uncover his feet and lie down. And he will tell you what to do.

5 S he said to her, “All that you say, I will do.”

And Ruth said to her, All that you say to me I will do.

6 S he went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her.

So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had told her.

7 W hen 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 laid down.

And 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 came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down.

8 A t midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.

At midnight the man was startled, and he turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!

9 H e 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.”

And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread your wing over your maidservant, for you are a next of kin.

10 H e 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.

And he said, Blessed be you of the Lord, my daughter. For you have made this last loving-kindness greater than the former, for you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

11 N ow, 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.

And now, my daughter, fear not. I will do for you all you require, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of strength (worth, bravery, capability).

12 N ow it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I.

It is true that I am your near kinsman; however, there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13 S tay 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.”

Remain tonight, and in the morning if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good; let him do it. But if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you, then, as the Lord lives, I will do the part of a kinsman for you. Lie down until the morning.

14 S he 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.”

And she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another; for he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.

15 H e 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.

Also he said, Bring the mantle you are wearing and hold it. So held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and laid it on her. And she went into the town.

16 W hen 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.

And when she came home, her mother-in-law said, How have you fared, my daughter? And Ruth told her all that the man had done for her.

17 S he said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”

And she said, He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said to me, Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law.

18 T hen she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he finishes the matter today.