(A)Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging: to confirm a transaction, the one drew off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was the manner of attesting in Israel. So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to (B)Chilion and to Mahlon. 10 Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, (C)to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. You are witnesses this day.” 11 Then all the people who were (D)at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, (E)who together (F)built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in (G)Ephrathah and (H)be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, (I)whom Tamar bore to Judah, because (J)of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Ruth and Boaz Marry

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, (K)and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 (L)Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without (M)a redeemer, and may his name (N)be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, (O)who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 17 (P)And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

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(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption(A) and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal(B) and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions(C) in Israel.)(D)

So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.(E)

Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses(F) that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite,(G) Mahlon’s widow, as my wife,(H) 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.(I) Today you are witnesses!(J)

11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate(K) said, “We are witnesses.(L) May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah,(M) who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah(N) and be famous in Bethlehem.(O) 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez,(P) whom Tamar(Q) bore to Judah.”

Naomi Gains a Son

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the Lord enabled her to conceive,(R) and she gave birth to a son.(S) 14 The women(T) said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord,(U) who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.(V) May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law,(W) who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons,(X) has given him birth.”

16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse,(Y) the father of David.(Z)

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