Study Desk

would you wait until they were grown? Would you not marry until then? No, my daughters. It is harder for me than for you. For the hand of the Lord is against me."

She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara. For the All-powerful has brought much trouble to me.

Boaz said to her, "I have heard about all you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth to come to a people you did not know before.

May the Lord reward you for your work. May full pay be given to you from the Lord, the God of Israel. It is under His wings that you have come to be safe."

Then Ruth said, "Sir, I have found favor in your eyes. For you have brought comfort and have been kind in speaking to your woman servant. And I am not like any of your other women servants."

Pull some grain out of the grain that has been gathered together and leave it for her to gather. And do not speak sharp words to her."

So she stayed close to those who worked for Boaz until the end of the time of gathering grain. And she lived with her mother-in-law.

Then Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, "My daughter, should I not look for a home for you, so all will be well with you?

He said, "Who are you?" She answered, "I am Ruth, your woman servant. Spread your covering over me. For you are of our family."

Now my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you whatever you ask. For all my people in the city know that you are a good woman.

Stay this night. In the morning, if he will have you for his own, let him take you. But if he does not want to have you, then I will take you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning."

So Ruth lay at his feet until morning. She got up before the people could see each other. For Boaz said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the grain-floor."

When she came to her mother-in-law, Naomi said, "How did it go, my daughter?" And Ruth told her all that the man had done for her.

She said, "He gave me these six jars full of grain. For he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law with empty hands.'"

Naomi said, "Wait until you know what is going to happen, my daughter. For the man will not rest until the thing is decided upon today."

I thought I should let you know about it. Buy it in front of those who are sitting here, and in front of the leaders of my people. If you will buy it, then buy it. But if not, tell me you do not want to buy it, so I may know. For you have the right to be the first one to buy it. And I am after you." The man said, "I will buy it."

Then the close in-law said, "I cannot buy it for myself because it might be that my own children would not be able to own my land later. Take it for yourself. I give you my right to buy it, for I cannot buy it."

So he said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he took off his shoe.

So Boaz took Ruth. She became his wife, and he went in to her. The Lord made it possible for her to have a child and she gave birth to a son.

May he bring you new life and strength while you are old. For your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him."