Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman.

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son.

14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

16 And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

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(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption(A) and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal(B) and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions(C) in Israel.)(D)

So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.(E)

Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses(F) that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite,(G) Mahlon’s widow, as my wife,(H) in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from his hometown.(I) Today you are witnesses!(J)

11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate(K) said, “We are witnesses.(L) May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah,(M) who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah(N) and be famous in Bethlehem.(O) 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez,(P) whom Tamar(Q) bore to Judah.”

Naomi Gains a Son

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive,(R) and she gave birth to a son.(S) 14 The women(T) said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord,(U) who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.(V) May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law,(W) who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons,(X) has given him birth.”

16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse,(Y) the father of David.(Z)

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