1 Now Boazwent up to the gate and satdownthere, and behold, 1the closerelative of whomBoazspoke was passing by, so he said, "Turnaside, friend*, sitdownhere." And he turnedaside and satdown.
2
He tooktenmen of the 2elders of the city and said, "Sitdownhere." So they satdown.
3
Then he said to the closestrelative, "Naomi, who has comeback from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land3which belonged to our brotherElimelech.
4
"So I thought to inform* you, saying, '4Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for 5there is noone but you to redeem it, and I am after you.' " And he said, "I will redeem it."
5
Then Boazsaid, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquireRuth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order 6to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance."
6
7The closestrelativesaid, "I cannot*redeem it for myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot*redeem it."
7
Now this was 8the custom in formertimes in Israelconcerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirmanymatter: a manremoved his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.
8
So the closestrelativesaid to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he removed his sandal.
9
Then Boazsaid to the elders and all the people, "You are witnessestoday that I have bought from the hand of Naomiall that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.
10
"Moreover, I have acquiredRuth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so 9that the name of the deceased will not be cutoff from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnessestoday."
11
All the peoplewho were in the court, and the elders, said, "We are witnesses. May the LORDmake the woman who is coming into your home10like Rachel and Leah, both of whombuilt the house of Israel; and may you achievewealth in Ephrathah and becomefamous* in Bethlehem.
12
"Moreover, may your house be like the house of 11PerezwhomTamarbore to Judah, through the offspringwhich the LORD will give you by thisyoungwoman."