And it came to pass, in the days when the Judges administered justice, that there was a famine in the land, - and so a certain man went his way, out of Bethlehem-judah to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

And, the name of the man, was Elimelech, and, the name of his wife, Naomi, and, the name of his two sons, Mahlon and Chilion - Ephrathites out of Bethlehem-judah, - so they came into the country of Moab, and remained there.

And, they also, both, died, Mahlon and Chilion, - so the woman was bereft of her two sons, and of her husband.

So she went forth out of the dwelling-place where she had remained, and her two daughters-in-law with her, - and they went on the way, to return unto the land of Judah.

Go back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband, - If I should say, I have, hope, if I should, even to-night have a husband, and should, even bear sons,

where thou diest, I will die, and, there, will I be buried: So, let Yahweh do to me, and, so, let him add, if, death itself, part me and thee.

And, when she saw that, bravely determined, was she to go with her, she ceased entreating her.

So, they two, went their way, until they entered Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they entered Bethlehem, that all the city was moved concerning them, and the women said - Is this Naomi?

So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab, - and, they, entered Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Now, Naomi, had an acquaintance of her husband's, a man of great integrity, of the family of Elimelech, - whose name, was Boaz.

So she went her way, and came, and gleaned in the field, after the reapers, - and it happened to her, to light upon the portion of field-land belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

and she said - Let me glean, I pray thee, and gather among the sheaves, after the reapers; so she came in, and hath continued from that time, all the morning until just now, and hath not rested in the house, for a little.

And Boaz said to her at mealtime - Draw nigh hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. So she sat beside the reapers, and there was reached to her parched corn, and she did eat and was satisfied, and left thereof remaining.

So she gleaned in the field, until the evening, - and beat out that which she had gleaned, and there was about an ephah of barley.

And her mother-in-law said to her - In what place hast thou gleaned, today? and where hast thou wrought? May he that took notice of thee, be blessed! So she told her mother-in-law, with whom she had wrought, and said - The name of the man with whom I wrought today, is Boaz.

So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to glean, until the end of the barley harvest, and the wheat harvest, - and dwelt with her mother-in-law.

So she went down to the threshing-floor, - and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.

Now, therefore, my daughter, do not fear, whatsoever thou shalt say, I will do for thee, - for all the gate of my people doth know, that, a virtuous woman, thou art.

Tarry the night, and it shall be, in the morning, if he will act as kinsman to thee, well, let him so act, but, if he inclineth not to act as kinsman to thee, then will, I, so act to thee - by the life of Yahweh, - Lie still, until the morning.

So she lay at his feet, until the morning, and rose up before one could know his neighbour. And he said - Do not let it be known that a woman came into the threshing-floor.

And he said - Bring the cloak that is upon thee, and hold it. So she held it, - and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her, and he went into the city.

Now, Boaz, went up to the gate, and sat him down there, and lo! the kinsman, passing by, of whom Boaz had spoken, so he said - Turn aside! and sit down here, such a one! And he turned aside, and sat down.

Then said he to the kinsman, The parcel of land that was our brother Elimelech's, is to be disposed of by Naomi, who hath returned out of the country of Moab;

and, I, thought, I would unveil thine ear, saying - Take it over in presence of such as are here seated, and in presence of the elders of my people. If thou wilt act as kinsman, act as kinsman, but, if thou wilt not so act, only tell me - that I may know, for there is none who can set thee aside as kinsman, but, I, am after thee. And he said, I, will act as kinsman.

Then said the kinsman - I cannot act as kinsman for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance, - do, thou, for thyself act as kinsman in my right, for I cannot so redeem.

So the kinsman said unto Boaz, Take it over for thyself, - and he drew off his shoe.

Then said Boaz to the elders, and all the people - Witnesses, are ye to-day, that I have taken over all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's, and Mahlon's, - from the hand of Naomi:

So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in unto her, - and Yahweh granted her conception, and she bare a son.

So shall he become a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age, - for, thy daughter-in-law who loveth thee, hath borne him, even, she, who is better to thee than seven sons.

So Naomi took the boy, and laid him in her bosom, and she became his nurse.

And the women, her neighbours, gave him a name, saying, There is born a son to Naomi, - So they called his name Obed, he, was, the father of Jesse, the father of David.