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She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her. When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and laid down. At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. He said, “Who are you?”

She answered, “I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman.”

10 He said, “You are blessed by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until the morning.”

14 She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.

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And she went down to the threshing floor and did all that her mother-in-law had instructed her. And Boaz ate and drank until his heart was merry[a] and then he came to lie at the end of the grain heap. And she came in quietly and uncovered[b] his feet and lay down. And it happened in the middle of the night the man was startled and he reached out and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. And he said, “Who are you?” And she said, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your garment[c] over your servant because you are a redeemer.” 10 And he said, “You are blessed by Yahweh my daughter. You did better in this last kindness than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And so then my daughter, do not be afraid. All that you ask I will do for you, for the entire assembly of my people knows that you are a worthy woman. 12 Now truly I am a redeemer, but there is also a redeemer of a closer relationship than me. 13 Stay tonight,[d] and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good; but if he is not willing to redeem, then as Yahweh lives,[e] I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until morning and got up before anyone could recognize each other.[f] And he said, “It must not be known that you[g] came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the cloak that is on you and hold it out.”[h] And she held it out and he measured six measures of barley and put it on her cloak. Then she went into the city.

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:7 Literally “good”
  2. Ruth 3:7 Literally “opened”
  3. Ruth 3:9 Literally “your wing”
  4. Ruth 3:13 Literally “Spend the night tonight”
  5. Ruth 3:13 Literally “the life of Yahweh”
  6. Ruth 3:14 Literally “a man could recognize his friend”
  7. Ruth 3:14 Literally “the woman”
  8. Ruth 3:15 Literally “hold on her”