1 In the time that the Judges [1]ruled, there was a dearth in the [2]land, and a man of Bethlehem [3]Judah went for to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the names of his two sons, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah: and when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there.
3 Then Elimelech the husband of Naomi died, and she remained with her two sons,
4 Which took them wives of the [4]Moabites: the one’s name was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion dieth also both twain: so the woman was left, destitute of her two sons, and of her husband.
Naomi Bids Her Daughters-in-Law Leave Her
6 ¶ Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, and returned from the country of Moab: for she had heard say in the country of Moab, that the Lord had [5]visited his people, and given them bread.
7 Wherefore she departed out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on their way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 Then Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you unto her own mother’s house: the Lord show favor unto you, as ye have done with the dead, and with me.
9 The Lord grant you, that you may find [6]rest, either of you in the house of her husband. And when she kissed them, they lift up their voice and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 But Naomi said, Turn again my daughters: for what cause will ye go with me? are there any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again my daughters: go your way: for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, and if I had an husband this night: yea, and if I had borne sons,
13 Would ye tarry for them, till they were of age? would ye be deferred for them from taking of husbands? nay my daughters: for it grieveth me [7]much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.
14 Then they lift up their voice and wept again, and Orpah [8]kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth abode still with her.
15 And Naomi said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: [9]return thou after thy sister-in-law.
Ruth Chooses to Remain with Naomi
16 And Ruth answered, Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to depart from thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou dwellest, I will dwell: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
17 ¶ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death depart thee and me.
18 ¶ When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left speaking unto her.
Ruth and Naomi Travel to Bethlehem
19 So they went both until they came to Bethlehem: and when they were come to Bethlehem, it was [10]noised of them through all the city, and they said, Is not this Naomi?
20 And she answered them, Call me not [11]Naomi, but call me [12]Mara: for the Almighty hath given me much bitterness.
21 I went out full, and the Lord hath caused me to return empty: why call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath humbled me, and the Almighty hath brought me unto adversity?
22 So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, when she came out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of [13]barley harvest.