Ruth 3

Naomi Makes Plans for Ruth

¹One day, Naomi said to Ruth:

⁵Ruth answered, “I'll do whatever you say.”

⁶She went out to the place where Boaz was working and did what Naomi had told her.

⁷After Boaz finished eating and drinking and was feeling happy, he went over and fell asleep near the pile of grain. Ruth slipped over quietly. She lifted the cover and lay down near his feet.

⁸In the middle of the night, Boaz suddenly woke up and was shocked to see a woman lying at his feet.

⁹“Who are you?” he asked.

“Sir, I am Ruth,” she answered, “and you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me. So spread the edge of your cover over me.”

¹⁰Boaz replied:

¹⁴Ruth lay down again, but she got up before daylight, because Boaz did not want anyone to know she had been there.

¹⁵Then he told her to spread out her cape. And he filled it with grain and placed it on her shoulder.

When Ruth got back to town,

¹⁶Naomi asked her what had happened, and Ruth told her everything.[#3.15,16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and two ancient translations; most Hebrew manuscripts]

¹⁷She also said, “Boaz gave me this grain, because he didn't want me to come back without something for you.”

¹⁸Naomi replied, “Just be patient and don't worry about what will happen. He won't rest until everything is settled today!”