1NOW it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Beth-lehem of Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2And the name of the man was Elimeleck, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons Malion and Calion, Ephrathites from Beth-lehem of Judah. And they came to the land of Moab to sojourn there. 3And Elimeleck the husband of Naomi died; and she was left with her two sons. 4And they took them wives of the Moabite women; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years. 5And Malion and Calion, her two sons, died; and the woman was bereft of her husband and her two sons.

6Then she started with her daughters-in-law to return from the land of Moab; for she had heard in the land of Moab that the LORD had visited his people in giving them food. 7So she went forth out of the place where they sojourned, along with her two daughters-in-law, to return and go to the land of Judah. 8And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Return, go back to your own country and to the house of your kinsmen; may the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with me and with both of my sons who now are dead. 9The LORD grant you favor so that you may find rest in the house of your parents. Then she kissed them: and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10And they said to her, No, we will return with you to your land and to your people. 11But Naomi said to them, Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Will I bear sons again that they may be your husbands? 12Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, and even if I should have a husband, and should also bear sons; 13Would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you stay for them from having husbands? No, my daughters; for I am greatly grieved for your sakes, and it grieves me more than it does you, because the hand of the LORD is gone forth against me.

14And they lifted up their voices again and wept; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, and turned back and went away; but Ruth clung to her.

15And her mother-in-law said to her, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her kinsmen; return also after your sister-in-law. 16And Ruth said to her, Far be it from me to return from following after you, and to leave you; for where you go, I will go; and where you dwell, I will dwell; your people shall be my people, and your God my God: 17Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried; may the LORD do so to me, and more also, if even death can separate me from you. 18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, then she ceased from urging her to go back.

19So they went together until they came to Beth-lehem of Judah. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, the whole city rejoiced over them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20And she said to them, Do not call me Naomi, but call me Bitter of Soul; for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. 21For I went forth from here full, and the LORD has brought me back empty; why then call me Naomi, seeing the LORD has humbled me, and has sorely afflicted me?

22So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, for she was wholeheartedly willing to return with her, and they came from the land of Moab at the beginning of the barley harvest.