Ruth 3-4
New American Standard Bible
Boaz Will Redeem Ruth
3 Then her mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek [a]security for you, that it may go well for you? 2 Now then, is Boaz not (A)our relative, with whose young women you were? Behold, he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not reveal yourself to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be when he lies down, that you shall [b]take notice of the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you should do.” 5 And she said to her, “(B)All that you say I will do.”
6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and (C)his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and [c]bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 So he said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth your slave. Now spread your garment over your slave, for you are a redeemer.” 10 Then he said, “(D)May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first, by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 So now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you say, for all [d]my people in the city know that you are (E)a woman of excellence. 12 But now, although it is true that I am a redeemer, yet there is also a redeemer more closely related than I. 13 Remain this night, and when morning comes, (F)if he will [e]redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to [f]redeem you, then I will redeem you, (G)as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and got up before one person could recognize another; and he said, “(H)Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 Again he said, “Give me the shawl that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then [g]she went into the city. 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “[h]How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She also said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’” 18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter [i]turns out; for the man will not rest until he has [j]settled it today.”
The Marriage of Ruth
4 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, (I)the redeemer of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Come over here, [k]friend, sit down here.” And he came over and sat down. 2 Then he took ten men of the (J)elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3 And he said to the redeemer, “Naomi, who has returned from the land of Moab, has to sell the plot of land (K)which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 So I thought that I would [l]inform you, saying, ‘(L)Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if [m]not, tell me so that I may know; for (M)there is no one except you to redeem it, and I am after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 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 (N)to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” 6 Then (O)the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, otherwise I would [n]jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, since I cannot redeem it.”
7 Now this was (P)the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the way of confirmation in Israel. 8 So the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal. 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. 10 Furthermore, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so (Q)that the name of the deceased will not be eliminated from his brothers or from the [o]court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” 11 And all the people who were [p]in the court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home (R)like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve [q]wealth in Ephrathah and [r]become famous in Bethlehem. 12 Moreover, may your house be like the house of (S)Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the [s]descendants whom the Lord will give you by this young woman.”
13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he had relations with her. And (T)the Lord [t]enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the (U)women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name [u]become famous in Israel. 15 May he also be to you one who restores life and sustains your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you [v](V)and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
The Line of David
16 Then Naomi took the child and [w]laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. 17 And the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
18 Now these are the generations of Perez: (W)Perez fathered Hezron, 19 Hezron fathered Ram, and Ram fathered Amminadab, 20 and Amminadab fathered Nahshon, and Nahshon fathered Salmon, 21 and Salmon fathered Boaz, and Boaz fathered Obed, 22 and Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.
Footnotes
- Ruth 3:1 Lit a resting place
- Ruth 3:4 Lit know
- Ruth 3:8 Or tossed around
- Ruth 3:11 Lit the gate of my people know
- Ruth 3:13 Or act as close relative to
- Ruth 3:13 Or act as close relative to
- Ruth 3:15 Many mss; MT he
- Ruth 3:16 Lit Who are you?
- Ruth 3:18 Lit falls
- Ruth 3:18 Lit finished the matter
- Ruth 4:1 Lit a certain one
- Ruth 4:4 Lit uncover your ear
- Ruth 4:4 Lit no one will redeem
- Ruth 4:6 Lit damage
- Ruth 4:10 Lit gate
- Ruth 4:11 Lit at the gate
- Ruth 4:11 Or power
- Ruth 4:11 Lit call the name in
- Ruth 4:12 Lit seed
- Ruth 4:13 Lit gave her conception
- Ruth 4:14 Lit be called in
- Ruth 4:15 Lit who
- Ruth 4:16 I.e., as her own
Ruth 3-4
New International Version
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
3 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi(A) said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home[a](B) for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative(C) of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor.(D) 3 Wash,(E) put on perfume,(F) and get dressed in your best clothes.(G) Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.(H) 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.”
5 “I will do whatever you say,”(I) Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor(J) and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits,(K) he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile.(L) Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!
9 “Who are you?” he asked.
“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment(M) over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[b](N) of our family.”
10 “The Lord bless you,(O) my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier:(P) You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.(Q) 12 Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family,(R) there is another who is more closely related than(S) I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer,(T) good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives(U) I will do it.(V) Lie here until morning.”
14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, “No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor.(W)”(X)
15 He also said, “Bring me the shawl(Y) you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he[c] went back to town.
16 When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “How did it go, my daughter?”
Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her 17 and added, “He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”
18 Then Naomi said, “Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”(Z)
Boaz Marries Ruth
4 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate(AA) and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer[d](AB) he had mentioned(AC) came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.
2 Boaz took ten of the elders(AD) of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so.(AE) 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek.(AF) 4 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[e] will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you,(AG) and I am next in line.”
“I will redeem it,” he said.
5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite,(AH) the[f] dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”(AI)
6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem(AJ) it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”(AK)
7 (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption(AL) and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal(AM) and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions(AN) in Israel.)(AO)
8 So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal.(AP)
9 Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses(AQ) that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelek, Kilion and Mahlon. 10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite,(AR) Mahlon’s widow, as my wife,(AS) 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.(AT) Today you are witnesses!(AU)”
11 Then the elders and all the people at the gate(AV) said, “We are witnesses.(AW) May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah,(AX) who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah(AY) and be famous in Bethlehem.(AZ) 12 Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez,(BA) whom Tamar(BB) 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,(BC) and she gave birth to a son.(BD) 14 The women(BE) said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord,(BF) who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.(BG) May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law,(BH) who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons,(BI) 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,(BJ) the father of David.(BK)
The Genealogy of David(BL)
18 This, then, is the family line of Perez(BM):
Footnotes
- Ruth 3:1 Hebrew find rest (see 1:9)
- Ruth 3:9 The Hebrew word for guardian-redeemer is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55); also in verses 12 and 13.
- Ruth 3:15 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac she
- Ruth 4:1 The Hebrew word for guardian-redeemer is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55); also in verses 3, 6, 8 and 14.
- Ruth 4:4 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts he
- Ruth 4:5 Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew (see also Septuagint) Naomi and from Ruth the Moabite, you acquire the
- Ruth 4:20 A few Hebrew manuscripts, some Septuagint manuscripts and Vulgate (see also verse 21 and Septuagint of 1 Chron. 2:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Salma
Acts 28
New American Standard Bible
Safe at Malta
28 When (A)they had been brought safely through, (B)then we found out that (C)the island was called [a]Malta. 2 (D)The [b]natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and (E)took us all in because of the rain that had started and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out [c]because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When (F)the [d]natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “(G)Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, [e]justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However, [f](H)Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 Now they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and (I)began to say that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighboring parts of that place were lands belonging to the [g]leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us warmly for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with a recurring fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after he (J)prayed, he (K)laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and being cured. 10 They also showed us many honors, and when we were about to set sail, they [h]supplied us with [i]everything we needed.
Paul Arrives in Rome
11 After three months we set sail on (L)an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had [j]the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind came up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 [k]There we found some (M)brothers and sisters, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and that is how we came to Rome. 15 And from there the (N)brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the [l]Market of Appius and the [m]Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 When we entered Rome, Paul was (O)allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17 After three days [n]Paul called together those who were (P)the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “(Q)Brothers, (R)though I had done nothing against our people or (S)the customs of our [o]fathers, yet I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 And when they had (T)examined me, they (U)were willing to release me because there were (V)no grounds [p]for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews [q]objected, I was forced to (W)appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I [r]requested to see you and to speak with you, since I am wearing (X)this chain for (Y)the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor has any of (Z)the brothers come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what [s]your views are; for regarding this (AA)sect, it is known to us that (AB)it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 When they had set a day for [t]Paul, people came to him at (AC)his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly (AD)testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, (AE)from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 (AF)Some were being persuaded by the things said by Paul, but others would not believe. 25 And when they disagreed with one another, they began leaving after Paul said one parting statement: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying,
‘(AG)Go to this people and say,
“[u](AH)You will keep on hearing, and will not understand;
And [v]you will keep on seeing, and will not perceive;
27 (AI)For the hearts of this people have become [w]insensitive,
And with their ears they [x]hardly hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.”’
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that (AJ)this salvation of God has been sent (AK)to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”[y]
30 Now Paul stayed two full years [z]in his own rented lodging and welcomed all who came to him, 31 [aa](AL)preaching the kingdom of God and teaching things about the Lord Jesus Christ (AM)with all openness, unhindered.
Footnotes
- Acts 28:1 Or Melita
- Acts 28:2 Gr barbaroi, referring to people who did not speak Greek
- Acts 28:3 Or from the heat
- Acts 28:4 See note v 2
- Acts 28:4 Or Justice; i.e., the personification of a goddess
- Acts 28:5 Lit he
- Acts 28:7 Prob. the Roman governor of the island
- Acts 28:10 Or put on board
- Acts 28:10 Lit the things pertaining to the needs
- Acts 28:11 Gr Dioscuri; i.e., Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus
- Acts 28:14 Lit Where
- Acts 28:15 Lat Appii Forum, a station about 43 miles or 69.2 km from Rome
- Acts 28:15 Lat Tres Tabernae, a station about 33 miles or 53.1 km from Rome
- Acts 28:17 Lit he
- Acts 28:17 Or forefathers
- Acts 28:18 Lit of death in me
- Acts 28:19 Lit spoke against
- Acts 28:20 Or invited you to see me and speak with me
- Acts 28:22 Lit you think
- Acts 28:23 Lit him
- Acts 28:26 Lit with a hearing you will hear
- Acts 28:26 Lit seeing you will see
- Acts 28:27 Lit dull
- Acts 28:27 Or are hard of hearing
- Acts 28:28 Late mss add as v 29: When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
- Acts 28:30 Or at his own expense
- Acts 28:31 Or proclaiming
Acts 28
New International Version
Paul Ashore on Malta
28 Once safely on shore, we(A) found out that the island(B) was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(C) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(D) 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(E) 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(F)
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(G) placed his hands on him(H) and healed him.(I) 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(J) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(K) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(L) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(M) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(N)
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(O) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(P) although I have done nothing against our people(Q) or against the customs of our ancestors,(R) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(S) and wanted to release me,(T) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(U) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(V) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(W) that I am bound with this chain.”(X)
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(Y) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(Z)
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,(AA) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets(AB) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.(AC) 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.(AD) 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said(AE) through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;(AF)
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](AG)
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation(AH) has been sent to the Gentiles,(AI) and they will listen!” [29] [b]
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God(AJ) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness(AK) and without hindrance!
Footnotes
- Acts 28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.
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