8 At midnight, Boaz was startled, turned over, and there lying at his feet was a woman! 9 So he asked, “Who are you?”

“I am Ruth, your servant,” she replied. “Take me under your wing,* a for you are a family redeemer.”b

10 Then he said, “May the Lord bless you,c my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before,C because you have not pursued younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 Now don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you say,D since all the people in my townE know that you are a woman of noble character.d 12 Yes, it is true that I am a family redeemer, but there is a redeemer closer than I am. 13 Stay here tonight, and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, that’s good.e Let him redeem you. But if he doesn’t want to redeem you, as the Lord lives,f I will. Now lie down until morning.”

14 So she lay down at his feet until morning but got up while it was still dark.F Then Boaz said, “Don’t let it be known that aG woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he told Ruth, “Bring the shawl you’re wearing and hold it out.” When she held it out, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl, and sheH went into the town.