Ruth 3

1Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, "My daughter, shouldn't I seek rest for you, so that it goes well for you?"

2Now, is not Boaz our kinsman, whose young women you were with? See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor.

3Wash yourself, anoint yourself, put your finest garments on, and go down to the threshing floor, but do not reveal yourself to the man until he finishes eating and drinking.

4When he lies down, mark the place where he will lie there, go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; he will tell you what you shall do.

5She said to her, "All that you say to me I will do."

6She went down to the threshing floor and did all that her mother-in-law had commanded her.

7Boaz ate and drank, his heart gladdened, and he went to lie down at the end of the heap. She came secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

8In the middle of the night, the man shuddered and turned, and there a woman lay at his feet.

9He said, "Who are you?" She said, "I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread the corner of your garment over your maidservant, for you are a kinsman-redeemer."

10He said, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter; you have excelled in kindness now more than at first, by not pursuing the young men, whether needy or wealthy.

11Now, my daughter, do not fear; I will do for you all that you say, for everyone at the gate of my people knows that you are a woman of valor.

12Now, truly, I am a redeemer, but there is also a redeemer nearer than I.

13Stay tonight, and in the morning, if he redeems you, well—let him redeem; but if he will not desire to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as Yahweh lives. Lie down until morning.

14She lay at his feet until morning, then arose before anyone could recognize his companion. He said, "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."

15He said, "Bring the shawl upon you and grasp it." She grasped it, and he measured six measures of barley, set it on her, and went into the city.

16She came to her mother-in-law, and she said, "Who are you, my daughter?" She told her everything that the man had done to her.

17She said, "He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said to me, 'Do not go empty to your mother-in-law.'"

18She said, "Stay, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest until he finishes the matter today."