So I thought to [a]inform you, saying, ‘(A)Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if [b]not, tell me that I may know; for (B)there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order (C)to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” (D)The [c]closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would [d]jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 4:4 Lit uncover your ear
  2. Ruth 4:4 Lit no one will redeem
  3. Ruth 4:6 Lit redeemer
  4. Ruth 4:6 Lit ruin

I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you[a] will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you,(A) and I am next in line.”

“I will redeem it,” he said.

Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite,(B) the[b] dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”(C)

At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem(D) it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 4:4 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts he
  2. Ruth 4:5 Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew (see also Septuagint) Naomi and from Ruth the Moabite, you acquire the