(A)Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel.

Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, (B)that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from [a]his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.”

11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. (C)The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who (D)built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in (E)Ephrathah and be famous in (F)Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of (G)Perez, (H)whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of (I)the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 4:10 Probably his civic office

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