Chapter 3
Naomi instructs Ruth
3:1 Then Naomi her mother in law said to her, Daughter, must I seek a home for you, where you may be happy? Now there is our kinsman Boaz, whos girls you were close to. He will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor.
3:3 So bathe, anoint yourself, dress up and go down to the threshing floor. But make not yourself known to the man, until he has finished eating and drinking.
3:4 When he lies down, note the place where he lies down, and you go over, and uncover his feet, and lie down. he will tell you what you are to do.
3:5 And she said to her, I will do eveything you tell me.
3:6 ¶ And she went down to the floor, and did just as that her mother in law had instructed her.
3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and in a cheerful mood, he went to lie down beside the grainpile. Then she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and lay down.
Boaz admits kinship
3:8 ¶ In the middle of the night, that the man was startled, and pulled back- there was a woman laying at his feet!
3:9 And he said, Who are you? And she answered, I am Ruth your handmaid. spread your robe over your handmaid, for you are a redeeming kinsman.
3:10 He exclaimed, Blessed be you of the Lord, my daughter. Your latest deed of loyalty is greater than the first, in that you have not turned to younger men, whether poor or rich.
3:11 And now, my daughter, have no fear. I will do in your behalf whatever you ask, for all the elders of my town know what a fine woman you are .
3:12 But while it is true that I am a redeeming kinsman: there is another kinsman closer than I.
3:13 Stay for the night. Then in the morning, if he will act as a redeemer, good! let him redeem. But if he does not want ro act as a redeemer for you, I will do so myself, as the Lord lives! Lie down until the morning.
Boaz's gift to Ruth
3:14 ¶ So she lay at his feet until morning: She rose up before one could distinguish another. for he thought, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threashing floor.
3:15 Also he said, Hold out the shawl you are wearing, she held it while he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her back. When she got back to the town,
3:16 She came to her mother in law, who asked, How is it with you, daughter? She told her all that the man had done for her,
3:17 And she said, He gave me these six measures of barley, saying to me, Do not go not empty handed to your mother in law.
3:18 And Naomi said, Stay here, daughter, till you learn how the matter turns out. For the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.
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