1Then Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, that you will be well provided for. 2And Boaz, with whose maidens you were working, is a relative of ours. He will be winnowing barley tonight in the threshing floor. 3Wash, anoint yourself with perfume, put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not let him know you are there, until he has finished eating and drinking. 4And when he lies down, note the place where he is lying. And then go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5And Ruth said to her, “I will do all whatever you tell me.” 6And so she went down to the threshing floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law told her. 7And when Boaz had finished eating and drinking, and was in good spirits, he went to lie down at the far end of the pile of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8And around midnight, the man stirred and turned himself; and discovered that a woman lay at his feet. 9And he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your handmaid. Spread your skirt over me; for you are a near relative.” 10And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter: for this kindness is greater than what you have shown earlier; because you have not pursued the young men, either poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do for you all that you require; for all the people of my city know that you are a virtuous woman. 12And while it is true that I am your near relative, there is yet a relative nearer than I. 13Stay here tonight; and in the morning, if he will perform the part of a relative for you, fine - let him do the relative's part. But if he will not do the that for you, then I will do the part of a relative for you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until the morning.” 14And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she arose before anyone could recognize one another. And he said, “No one must know that a woman came into the floor.” 15And he also said, “Bring that cloak you have on you, and hold it out.” And when she held it out, he measured six measures of barley, and gave that bundle to her; and she went into the city. 16And when she came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How have you fared, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17And she also said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said to me, ‘Do not go empty to your mother-in-law.’” 18Then Naomi said, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how this matter will turn out; for the man will not rest, until the matter is settled today.” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |