cormacburke.me.ke

Chapter 3
1 After she was returned to her mother in law, Noemi said to her: My daughter, I will seek rest for you, and will provide that it may be well with you.
2 This Booz, with whose maids you were joined in the field, is our near kinsman, and behold this night he winnows barley in the threshing-floor.
3 Wash yourself therefore and anoint you, and put on your best garments, and go down to the barnfloor: but let not the man see you, till he shall have done eating and drinking.
4 And when he shall go to sleep, mark the place wherein he sleeps: and you shall go in, and lift up the clothes wherewith he is covered towards his feet, and shall lay yourself down there: and he will tell you what you must do.
5 She answered: Whatsoever you shall command, I will do.
6 And she went down to the barnfloor, and did all that her mother in law had bid her.
7 And when Booz had eaten, and drunk, and was merry, he went to sleep by the heap of sheaves, and she came softly and uncovering his feet, laid herself down.
8 And behold, when it was now midnight the man was afraid, and troubled: and he saw a woman lying at his feet,
9 And he said to her: Who are you? And she answered: I am Ruth your handmaid: spread your coverlet over your servant, for you are a near kinsman.
10 And he said: Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter, and your latter kindness has surpassed the former: because you have not followed young men either poor or rich.
11 Fear not therefore, but whatsoever you shall say to me I will do to you. For all the people that dwell within the gates of my city, know that you are a virtuous woman.
12 Neither do I deny myself to be near of kin, but there is another nearer than I.
13 Rest you this night: and when morning is come, if he will take you by the right of kindred, all is well: but if he will not, I will undoubtedly take you, as the Lord lives: sleep till the morning.
14 So she slept at his feet till the night was going off. And she arose before men could know one another, and Booz said: Beware lest any man know that you came hither.
15 And again he said: Spread your mantle, wherewith you are covered, and hold it with both hands. And when she spread it and held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it upon her. And she carried it and went into the city,
16 And came to her mother in law; who said to her: What have you done, daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
17 And she said: Behold he has given me six measures of barley: for he said: I will not have you return empty to your mother in law.
18 And Noemi said: Wait my daughter, till we see what end the thing will have. For the man will not rest until he have accomplished what he has said.