Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?
1
Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, said to her, "My daughter, shouldn't I try to look for a home that would be good for you?
2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley tonight at the threshing floor.
2
Isn't Boaz, whose young women you've been working with, our relative? He will be separating the barley from its husks on the threshing floor tonight.
3 Wash thyself therefore and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor; but make not thyself known unto the man until he shall have done eating and drinking.
3
Freshen up, put on some perfume, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor. Don't let him know that you're there until he's finished eating and drinking.
4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie; and thou shalt go in and uncover his feet, and lay thee down, and he will tell thee what thou shalt do."
4
When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying. Then uncover his feet, and lie down there. He will make it clear what you must do."
5 And she said unto her, "All that thou sayest unto me I will do."
5
Ruth answered her, "I will do whatever you say."
6 And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.
6
Ruth went to the threshing floor and did exactly as her mother-in-law had directed her.
7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet and laid herself down.
7
Boaz had eaten and drunk to his heart's content, so he went and lay at the edge of a pile of grain. Then she went over to him secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.
8 And it came to pass at midnight that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.
8
At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet.
9 And he said, "Who art thou?" And she answered, "I am Ruth, thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid, for thou art a near kinsman."
9
"Who are you?" he asked. She answered, "I am Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative who can take care of me."
10 And he said, "Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter; for thou hast shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followed not young men, whether poor or rich.
10
Boaz replied, "May the LORD bless you, my daughter. This last kindness--that you didn't go after the younger men, whether rich or poor--is better than the first.
11 And now, my daughter, fear not. I will do for thee all that thou requirest, for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
11
Don't be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character.
12 And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman; however that be, there is a kinsman nearer than I.
12
It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I.
13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well. Let him do the kinsman's part. But if he will not do the part of a kinsman for thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman for thee, as the LORD liveth. Lie down until the morning."
13
Stay here tonight. In the morning if he will agree to take care of you, that is good. He can take care of you. But if he does not wish to take care of you, then, I solemnly swear, as the LORD lives, I will take care of you myself. Lie down until morning."
14 And she lay at his feet until the morning; and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, "Let it not be known that a woman came unto the floor."
14
So Ruth lay at his feet until morning. Then she got up early before anyone could be recognized. At that moment Boaz thought to himself, "I hope that no one will ever know that this woman came to the threshing floor."
15 Also he said, "Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; and she went into the city.
15
Then Boaz told Ruth, "Stretch out the cape you're wearing and hold it tight." So she held it tight while he measured out six measures of barley. Then he placed it on her [back] and went into the town.
16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Who art thou, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done to her.
16
When Ruth returned, her mother-in-law Naomi asked, "How did things go, my daughter?" Ruth told Naomi everything the man had done for her.
17 And she said, "These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, `Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law.'"
17
She said, "He gave me these six measures of barley and told me not to come back to you empty-handed."
18 Then said she, "Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall; for the man will not be in rest until he hath finished the thing this day."
18
Naomi replied, "Stay here, my daughter, until you know how it turns out. The man won't rest unless he settles this matter today."
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.