⁹ But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother.

⁵ Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us^[a]?^(A)

¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(A) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

³ At one time^(A) we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(A) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^(B)

¹⁰ I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite,^(A) Mahlon’s widow, as my wife,^(B) 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.^(C) Today you are witnesses!^(D)”

⁶ The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.^(A)

¹¹ But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?^(A)