Naomi Becomes a Widow
(1 Timothy 5:3–16)

1In the time that the Iudges ruled, there was a dearth in the lande, and a man of Beth-lehem Iudah went for to soiourne in the countrey of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sonnes. 2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi: and the names of his two sonnes, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem Iudah: and when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there. 3Then Elimelech the husbande of Naomi died, and she remayned with her two sonnes, 4Which tooke them wiues of the Moabites: the ones name was Orpah, & the name of ye other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten yeeres. 5And Mahlon and Chilion dyed also both twaine: so the woman was left destitute of her two sonnes, and of her husband.

Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi

6Then she arose with her daughters in law, and returned from the countrey of Moab: for she had heard say in the countrey of Moab, that the Lord had visited his people, and giuen them bread. 7Wherefore shee departed out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her, and they went on their way to returne vnto the land of Iudah. 8Then Naomi saide vnto her two daughters in lawe, Goe, returne eche of you vnto her owne mothers house: the Lord shew fauour vnto you, as ye haue done with the dead, and with me. 9The Lorde graunt you, that you may finde rest, either of you in the house of her husbande; when she kissed them, they lift vp their voice and wept. 10And they saide vnto her, Surely we will returne with thee vnto thy people. 11But Naomi saide, Turne againe, my daughters: for what cause will you go with me? are there any mo sonnes in my wombe, that they may bee your husbands? 12Turne againe, my daughters: go your way: for I am too olde to haue an husband. If I should say, I haue hope, and if I had an husbad this night: yea, if I had borne sonnes, 13Would yee tarie for them, till they were of age? would ye be deferred for them from taking of husbands? nay my daughters: for it grieueth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lorde is gone out against me.

14Then they lift vp their voyce and wept againe, and Orpah kissed her mother in lawe, but Ruth abode still with her.

15And Naomi said, Beholde, thy sister in law is gone backe vnto her people and vnto her gods: returne thou after thy sister in lawe. 16And Ruth answered, Intreate mee not to leaue thee, nor to depart from thee: for whither thou goest, I will goe: and where thou dwellest, I will dwell: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. 17Where 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. 18Whe she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left speaking vnto her.

The Return to Bethlehem

19So they went both vntill they came to Beth-lehem: and when they were come to Beth-lehem, it was noysed of them through all the citie, and they said, Is not this Naomi? 20And she answered them, Call me not Naomi, but call me Mara: for the Almightie hath giuen me much bitternes. 21I went out full, and the Lorde hath caused me to returne emptie: why call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath humbled me, and the Almightie hath brought me vnto aduersitie?

22So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitesse her daughter in law with her, when she came out of the countrey of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barly haruest.