Ruth 4:1-6

Amplified Bible

The Marriage of Ruth

4 Then Boaz went up to the city gate [where business and legal matters were settled] and sat down, and then the close relative (redeemer) of whom Boaz had spoken came by. He said to him, “Come over here, ^[a]friend, and sit down.” So he came and sat down. ² Then Boaz took ten men from the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” And they sat down. ³ He said to the closest relative (redeemer), “Naomi, who has returned from the country of Moab, must sell the plot of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. ⁴ So I thought to let you hear of it, saying, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, then tell me, so that I may know; for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I am [next of kin] after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” ⁵ Then Boaz said, “The day that you buy the field from Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, to restore the name of the deceased to his inheritance.” ⁶ The closest relative (redeemer) said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because [by marrying a Moabitess] I would ^[b]jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption (purchase) yourself, because I cannot redeem it.”^(A)