Ruth 4
The Nearer Kinsman Would Not; the Next One Did
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Boaz Brings the Matter to the Gate
4:1Boaz went up to the gate and sat there. Look, the near kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken was passing by. Boaz said to him, “Turn aside and sit here, unnamed one.” He turned aside and sat down.
4:2Boaz took ten men from the city’s elders and said, “Sit here.” They sat down.
4:3Boaz said to the near kinsman, “The portion of the field that belongs to our brother Abimelech, which has been given to Naomi who is returning from the field of Moab—
4:4I thought I should uncover your ear, saying, ‘Acquire it before those seated here and before my people’s elders.’ If you will act as next of kin, do so; but if you will not act as next of kin, tell me, and I shall know, for there is no one besides you to act as next of kin, and I come after you.” He said, “I am the one; I will act as next of kin.”
The Nearer Kinsman Gives Up His Right
4:5Boaz said, “On the day you acquire the field from Naomi’s hand and from Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s wife, you must also acquire her herself, so as to raise up the dead man’s name upon his inheritance.”
4:6The near kinsman said, “I shall not be able to act as next of kin for myself, lest I ruin my inheritance. Exercise for yourself my right as next of kin, for I shall not be able to do it.”
4:7This was the ordinance formerly in Israel concerning the right of next of kin and exchange, to establish every matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to his neighbor who was exercising his kinship right. This was testimony in Israel.
4:8The near kinsman said to Boaz, “Acquire my kinship right for yourself.” He removed his sandal and gave it to him.
Boaz Takes Ruth as His Wife
4:9Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have acquired from Naomi’s hand everything belonging to Abimelech and everything belonging to Chilion and Mahlon.
4:10I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, Mahlon’s wife, as my wife, to raise up the dead man’s name upon his inheritance, and the dead man’s name shall not be destroyed from among his brothers and from the tribe of his people. You are witnesses today.”
4:11All the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses.” The elders said, “May the Lord make your wife who is entering your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built Israel’s house and established strength in Ephrathah, and there shall be a name in Bethlehem.
4:12May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring the Lord will give you from this young woman.”
A Son Born to Naomi
4:13Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. He went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.
4:14The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you without the near kinsman today, and may he call your name in Israel.
4:15He shall be to you one who restores life and nourishes your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loved you has borne him, and she is better to you than seven sons.”
4:16Naomi took the child, placed him in her bosom, and became his nurse.
4:17The neighboring women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They called his name Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.
The Generations of Perez
4:18These are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
4:19Hezron begat Arran, and Arran begat Amminadab,
4:20Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salman,
4:21Salman begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,
4:22Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V2 · working draft awaiting specialist review.