¶ So she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.

And when Boaz had eaten and drunken, and [a]cheered his heart, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn, and she came softly, and uncovered the place of his feet, and lay down.

And at midnight the man was afraid [b]and caught hold: and lo, a woman lay at his feet.

Then he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore the wing of thy garment over thine handmaid: for thou art the kinsman.

10 Then he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: thou hast [c]showed more goodness in the latter end, than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, were they poor or rich.

11 And now, my daughter, fear not: I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

12 And now, it is true that I am thy kinsman, howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.

13 Tarry tonight, and when morning is come, if he [d]will do the duty of a kinsman unto thee, well, let him do the kinsman’s duty: but if he will not do the kinsman’s part, then will I do the duty of a kinsman, as the Lord liveth: sleep until the morning.

14 ¶ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she arose before one could know another: for he said, Let no man know, that a woman came into the floor.

15 Also he said, Bring the [e]sheet that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid them on her, and she went into the city.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:7 That is, had refreshed himself among his servants.
  2. Ruth 3:8 Or, turned himself from one side to another.
  3. Ruth 3:10 Thou showest thyself from time to time more virtuous.
  4. Ruth 3:13 If he will take thee to be his wife by the title of affinity, according to God’s law, Deut. 25:5.
  5. Ruth 3:15 Or, mantle.

Bible Gateway Recommends