Young Ruth's promise to her elderly mother-in-law, Naomi:
"Do not ask me to leave you, or to return from following after you.
Where you go, I will go; and where you live, I will live.
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die, and there I shall be buried.
May the Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me."
Ruth: “Naomi, allow me to go to the fields, gather grain and find favor.”
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At the fields, owner Boaz said to the field workers: “May the Lord be with you.”
They answered: “May the Lord bless you.”
Boaz asked his servant: “Who is this young woman?”
Servant: “She is an immigrant, Ruth, who cares for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth asked to gather grain for them.”
Boaz told Ruth: “Do not gather elsewhere; stay here with my maids. I told the servants not to touch you. When thirsty, go to the water jars and drink.”
Ruth: “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should notice me, since I am a foreigner?”
Boaz: “May God reward you for caring for your mother-in-law, and may your wages be full, from the God of Israel, under whose wings you seek refuge.”
Ruth: “I have found favor in your sight, sir. I appreciate your kindness.”
Boaz: “Come here, Ruth, and eat.”
After lunch, Boaz told his workers, “Let Ruth harvest as you purposely pull out grain that she may gather, and do not criticize her.”
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Naomi: “Where did you work today? God bless those who notice and help you.”
Ruth: “The name of the man with whom I worked today is Boaz.”
Naomi: “May God bless Boaz for his kindness. He is a relative.”
Ruth: “Boaz said, ‘Stay close to my servants as they harvest.’”
Naomi: “It’s good, my daughter, that you are safe with Boaz’ maids in his fields."
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Ruth continued to work in Boaz’ fields and live with her mother-in-law.
Naomi: “My daughter, I seek the best for you. Dress well and visit the grain threshing floor; when Boaz lies down, uncover his feet and lie down at his feet. He will tell you what to do.”
Ruth: “As you say.”
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At the threshing floor, Boaz ate, drank, was merry, and rested at the bottom of a pile of grain. Ruth quietly uncovered his feet and lay down. At midnight, Boaz awoke finding Ruth at his feet.
Boaz: “Who are you?”
Ruth: “I am Ruth. Spread your covering over me, for you are a close relative.”
Boaz: “God bless you. You are kind by not pursuing young men, poor or rich. Do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for everyone knows that you are a woman of excellence. I am a close relative; however, there is one closer. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he loves you, good; let him love you. But if he does not, then I will love you, as the Lord lives. Stay until morning.”
Ruth lay at his feet until morning and rose before being recognized.
Boaz: “Let it not be known that Ruth came to the threshing floor.”
He filled her cloak with barley and sent her home.
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Naomi: “How did it go, my daughter?”
Ruth told her all that Boaz had done for her.
Naomi: “Wait, Ruth, until you know; for Boaz will settle it today.”
Boaz went to the city gate. He inquired of the other relative if he intended to purchase Naomi’s property and marry Ruth. He would not.
Boaz purchased the property and married Ruth.
The people and the elders: “We are witnesses. May the Lord bless Ruth. May you both achieve wealth and become famous. May your house be blessed with children.”
After Boaz and Ruth married, they had a son.
The women said to Naomi: “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a deliverer today. May his name become famous. May he be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age. Your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to your grandson, Obed.”
They named him Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David.
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