Chapter 3
1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her , " My daughter , shall I not seek rest for you , that it may be well with you ?
2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman , with whose maidens you were ? Behold , he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor .
3 Therefore wash yourself , anoint yourself , get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor ; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking .
4 It shall be , when he lies down , that you shall note the place where he is lying . Then you shall go in , uncover his feet , and lie down . Then he will tell you what to do ."
5 She said to her , " All that you say, I will do ."
6 She went down to the threshing floor , and did everything that her mother-in-law told her .
7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk , and his heart was merry , he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain . She came softly , uncovered his feet , and lay down .
8 At midnight , the man was startled and turned himself; and behold , a woman lay at his feet .
9 He said, " Who are you ?" She answered, " I am Ruth your servant. Therefore spread the corner of your garment over your servant; for you are a near kinsman ."
10 He said, " You are blessed by the LORD , my daughter . You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning , because you didn’t follow young men , whether poor or rich .
11 Now , my daughter , don’t be afraid . I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman .
12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman . However , there is a kinsman nearer than I .
13 Stay this night , and in the morning , if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman , good . Let him do the kinsman ’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you , then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you , as the LORD lives . Lie down until the morning ."
14 She lay at his feet until the morning , then she rose up before one could discern another . For he said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor ."
15 He said, " Bring the mantle that is on you , and hold it ." She held it ; and he measured six measures of barley , and laid it on her ; then he went into the city .
16 When she came to her mother-in-law , she said, " How did it go, my daughter ?" She told her all that the man had done for her .
17 She said, " He gave me these six measures of barley ; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law .’"
18 Then she said , " Wait , my daughter , until you know what will happen ; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today ."