Ruth 4:4-6

Living Bible

⁴ I felt that I should speak to you about it so that you can buy it if you wish, with these respected men as witnesses. If you want it,^[a] let me know right away, for if you don’t take it, I will. You have the first right to purchase it and I am next.”

The man replied, “All right, I’ll buy it.”

⁵ Then Boaz told him, “Your purchase of the land from Naomi requires your marriage to Ruth so that she can have children to carry on her husband’s name and to inherit the land.”

⁶ “Then I can’t do it,” the man replied. “For her son would become an heir to my property too;^[b] you buy it.”