4 “So I thought to 1inform you, saying, ‘aBuy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if 2not, tell me that I may know; for bthere is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order ato raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”

6 aThe 1closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would 2jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

7 Now this was athe custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

8 So the 1closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon.