Ruth 3

1A few days later Naomi said to Ruth: My daughter, I must find a husband and a home so that you will be provided for.

2Naomi said to Ruth: You have been working with the women who work for Boaz. Boaz is in our family. Tonight he will separate the barley at the threshing floor.

3Wash yourself and put on perfume. Put on your best clothes and go to the threshing floor. Stay out of the man's sight. Wait until Boaz has finished eating and drinking.

4After Boaz eats, he will lie down to rest. Watch where he lies down. Go there and lift the cover off his feet. Lie down at his feet. When Boaz wakes up, he will tell you what to do.

5Ruth said to Naomi: I will do everything you say to do.

6Then Ruth went to the threshing-floor, and she did what Naomi, her mother-in-law, told her to do.

7Boaz finished his food and drink, and he was happy. He lay down next to the heap of grain. Then Ruth went to him very quietly. She lifted the cover from his feet and lay down.

8About midnight, Boaz rolled over in his sleep and woke up. He was very afraid because there was a woman lying near his feet.

9Boaz said: Who are you? Ruth answered: I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your cover over me, because you are a close relative.

10Boaz said: May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have been very kind to me. Your kindness now is greater than at the beginning. You did not go after young men, whether poor or rich.

11And now, young woman, you must not be afraid. I will do what you ask me. All the men in this town know that you are a good woman.

12And it is true that I, Boaz, am a close relative. But there is a man who is a closer relative to you than I am.

13Boaz told Ruth: Stay here tonight. In the morning we will see if he will help you. If he decides to help you, that is fine. If he refuses, I promise you this. As surely as the LORD lives, I will redeem you myself. Now lie down here until morning.

14So Ruth lay near Boaz's feet until morning. She got up before anyone could recognize another person. Boaz said: No one must know that a woman was here at the threshing floor.

15Then Boaz said: Bring me the cloak you are wearing, and hold it open. Ruth held her cloak open. Boaz measured out 6 measures of barley and put it on Ruth's back. Then she went to the city.

16When Ruth came home to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked Ruth: Is that you, my daughter? Ruth told Naomi what Boaz had done for her.

17And Ruth said: Boaz also gave me all this barley and he said: When you go back to Naomi, you must give her this barley. Your hands must not be empty.

18Naomi said: Ruth, be patient until we hear what happens. Boaz will not rest until he has finished doing what he should do. We will know what will happen before the day is ended.