Study Desk

Then they cried again in loud voices. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law. But Ruth held on to her.

But Ruth said, "Do not beg me to leave you or turn away from following you. I will go where you go. I will live where you live. Your people will be my people. And your God will be my God.

I will die where you die, and there I will be buried. So may the Lord do the same to me, and worse, if anything but death takes me from you."

When Naomi saw that Ruth would do nothing but go with her, she said no more to her.

I went out full. But the Lord has made me return empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has spoken against me. The All-powerful has allowed me to suffer."

Then Boaz said to Ruth, "Be careful to listen, my daughter. Do not go to gather grain in another field. Do not leave this one. But stay here with my women who gather grain.

So wash yourself. Pour oil on yourself and wear your best clothes. Then go down to the grain-floor. But do not let the man know who you are until he has finished eating and drinking.

It is true that I am of your family. But there is one closer than I.

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."

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."

He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah. The name of the other was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

But he would give twice as much to Hannah, for he loved Hannah. But the Lord had made it so she could not have children.

Then she made a promise and said, "O Lord of All, be sure to look on the trouble of Your woman servant, and remember me. Do not forget Your woman servant, but give me a son. If You will, then I will give him to the Lord all his life. And no hair will ever be cut from his head."

Hannah was speaking in her heart. Her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she had drunk too much.

But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.

But Hannah did not go. For she said to her husband, "I will not go up until the child no longer needs to be nursed. Then I will bring him before the Lord, to stay there forever."

The bows of the powerful are broken. But the weak are dressed in strength.

Those who were full go out to work for bread. But those who were hungry are filled. She who could not give birth has given birth to seven. But she who has many children has become weak.

He watches over the steps of His good people. But the sinful ones will be made quiet in darkness. For a man will not win by strength.

Elkanah went home to Ramah. But the boy served the Lord with Eli the religious leader.