So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and (A)his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. (B)Spread your wings[a] over your servant, for you are (C)a redeemer.” 10 And he said, (D)“May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than (E)the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are (F)a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am (G)a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will (H)redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, (I)as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:9 Compare 2:12; the word for wings can also mean corners of a garment

So she went down to the threshing floor, and she did everything just as her mother-in-law had ordered.

Boaz ate and drank, and he was in a good mood. He went over to lie down by the edge of the grain pile. Then she quietly approached, uncovered his legs, and lay down. During the middle of the night, the man shuddered and turned over—and there was a woman lying at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked.

She replied, “I’m Ruth your servant. Spread out your robe[a] over your servant, because you are a redeemer.”

10 He said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter! You have acted even more faithfully than you did at first. You haven’t gone after rich or poor young men. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I’ll do for you everything you are asking. Indeed, my people—all who are at the gate—know that you are a woman of worth. 12 Now, although it’s certainly true that I’m a redeemer, there’s a redeemer who is a closer relative than I am. 13 Stay the night. And in the morning, if he’ll redeem you—good, let him redeem. But if he doesn’t want to redeem you, then—as the Lord lives—I myself will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until morning. Then she got up before one person could recognize another, for he had said, “No one should know that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He said, “Bring the cloak that you have on and hold it out.” She held it out, and he measured out six measures of barley and placed it upon her. Then she[b] went into town.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:9 Or wing; cf 2:12; Ps 91:4
  2. Ruth 3:15 MT he; other Heb sources, Syr, Vulg she