Ruth 4:1-6

International Standard Version

Boaz Acts to Fulfill His Responsibilities

4 Meanwhile, Boaz approached the city gate^[a] and sat down there. Just then, the very same related redeemer whom Boaz had mentioned came by, so Boaz^[b] called out to him, “Come over and sit down here, my friend!” So the man came over and sat down.

² Boaz^[c] selected ten of the town elders and spoke to them, “Sit down here.” So they sat down ³ and Boaz^[d] addressed the related redeemer directly: “A portion of a field belonging to our relative Elimelech is up for sale by Naomi, who recently returned from the country of Moab. ⁴ So I thought to myself I ought to tell you that you must make a public purchase of this before the town residents and the elders of my people. So if you intend to act as the related redeemer, then do so.^[e] But if not, let me know, because except for you—and I after you—there is no one to fulfill the duties of a related redeemer.”

The man responded, “I will act as related redeemer.”

A Complication Arises and is Resolved

⁵ Boaz continued, “On the very day you obtain the field from Naomi,^[f] I’ll be obtaining^[g] Ruth the Moabite woman, the widow of the late heir,^[h] so the family name may be continued^[i] as an inheritance.”

⁶ At this, the nearer related redeemer replied, “Then I am unable to act as related redeemer, because that would complicate my own inheritance. You act instead as the related redeemer, because I cannot do so.”^[j]