So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. When Boaz had eaten and drunk and (A)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. And it happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and [a]bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 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, “(B)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 [b]my people in the city know that you are (C)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, (D)if he will [c]redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to [d]redeem you, then I will redeem you, (E)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, “(F)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 [e]she went into the city.

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:8 Or tossed around
  2. Ruth 3:11 Lit the gate of my people know
  3. Ruth 3:13 Or act as close relative to
  4. Ruth 3:13 Or act as close relative to
  5. Ruth 3:15 Many mss; MT he

So she went out to the threshing floor and did precisely what her mother-in-law had advised.

Ruth’s Meeting with Boaz

After Boaz had finished eating and drinking to his heart’s content, he went over and lay down next to the pile of threshed grain. Ruth[a] came in quietly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. In the middle of the night, Boaz[b] was startled awake and turned over in surprise to see a woman lying at his feet.

He asked her, “Who are you?”

She answered, “I’m only Ruth, your servant. Spread the edge[c] of your garment over your servant, because you are my related redeemer.”

10 He replied, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You’ve added to the gracious love you’ve already demonstrated[d] by not pursuing younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I’ll do for you everything that you have asked, since all of my people in town are aware that you’re a virtuous[e] woman. 12 It’s true that I’m your related redeemer, but there is another related redeemer even closer than I. 13 Stay the night, and if he fulfills his duty as your related redeemer in the morning, that will be acceptable. But if he isn’t inclined to do so,[f] then, as the Lord lives, I will act as your related redeemer myself. So lie down until morning.”

14 So she lay down at his feet until dawn approached, then got up while it was still difficult for anyone to be recognized. Then he told her, “It shouldn’t be known that a woman has come to the threshing floor.” 15 So he said, “Take your cloak and hold it out.” She did so, and he measured out six units[g] of barley and placed them in a sack[h] on her. Then she left for town.

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:7 Lit. She
  2. Ruth 3:8 Lit. the man
  3. Ruth 3:9 Or wing; cf. 2:12
  4. Ruth 3:10 Lit. You’ve showed more gracious love in the latter end than in the beginning
  5. Ruth 3:11 The Heb. word for virtuous is identical to the word for of considerable wealth in 2:1
  6. Ruth 3:13 I.e. act as related redeemer
  7. Ruth 3:15 The Heb. lacks units
  8. Ruth 3:15 The Heb. lacks in a sack