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So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back each of you to your mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.(A) The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband.” Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud.(B) 10 They said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters. Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?(C) 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me.”(D) 14 Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

15 So she said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth said,

“Do not press me to leave you,
    to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
    where you lodge, I will lodge;
your people shall be my people
    and your God my God.(E)
17 Where you die, I will die,
    and there will I be buried.
May the Lord do thus to me,
    and more as well,
if even death parts me from you!”

18 When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.(F)

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With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home.(A) May the Lord show you kindness,(B) as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands(C) and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest(D) in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed(E) them goodbye and they wept aloud(F) 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

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?(G) 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up?(H) Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter(I) for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!(J)

14 At this they wept(K) aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law(L) goodbye,(M) but Ruth clung to her.(N)

15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law(O) is going back to her people and her gods.(P) Go back with her.”

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you(Q) or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,(R) and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people(S) and your God my God.(T) 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely,(U) if even death separates you and me.”(V) 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.(W)

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Request for Prayer

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you,(A) and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.[a](B) And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command.(C) May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 3.3 Or from evil

Request for Prayer

As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(A) pray for us(B) that the message of the Lord(C) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.(D) And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,(E) for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful,(F) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.(G) We have confidence(H) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts(I) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

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