Ruth 1:1-13 ▼

1 It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Kilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3 Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took for themselves wives from the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.

5 Mahlon and Kilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, |Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.| Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 They said to her, |No, but we will return with you to your people.|

11 Naomi said, |Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, 'I have hope,' if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;

13 would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.|