So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had commanded her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and (A)his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came softly and uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet! He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. (B)Spread your wings[a] over your servant, for you are (C)a redeemer.” 10 And he said, (D)“May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than (E)the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are (F)a worthy woman. 12 And now it is true that I am (G)a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. 13 Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will (H)redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, (I)as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until the morning, but arose before one could recognize another. And he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said, “Bring the garment you are wearing and hold it out.” So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and put it on her. Then she went into the city.

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Notas al pie

  1. Ruth 3:9 Compare 2:12; the word for wings can also mean corners of a garment

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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Notas al pie

  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