(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

Now this was the manner in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was a testimony in Israel.

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, “Buy it for thyself.” So he drew off his shoe.

And Boaz said unto the elders and unto all the people, “Ye 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 wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren and from the gate of his place. Ye are witnesses this day.”

11 And all the people who were at the gate and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who hath come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel; and do thou worthily in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem.

12 And let thy house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee by this young woman.”

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