Ruth 2:1–13

Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz

2Naomi had a relative named Boaz, a rich and influential man who belonged to the family of her husband Elimelech. ^2*One day Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields to gather the corn that the harvest workers leave. I am sure to find someone who will let me work with him.”

Naomi answered, “Go ahead, my daughter.”

³So Ruth went out to the fields and walked behind the workers, picking up the corn which they left. It so happened that she was in a field that belonged to Boaz.

⁴Some time later Boaz himself arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the workers. “The Lord be with you!” he said.

“The Lord bless you!” they answered.

⁵Boaz asked the man in charge, “Who is that young woman?” ⁶The man answered, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. ⁷She asked me to let her follow the workers and pick up the corn. She has been working since early morning and has just now stopped to rest for a while under the shelter.”

⁸Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Let me give you some advice. Don’t pick up corn anywhere except in this field. Work with the women here; ⁹watch them to see where they are reaping and stay with them. I have ordered my men not to molest you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and drink from the water jars that they have filled.”

¹⁰Ruth bowed down with her face touching the ground, and said to Boaz, “Why should you be so concerned about me? Why should you be so kind to a foreigner?”

¹¹Boaz answered, “I have heard about everything that you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband died. I know how you left your father and mother and your own country and how you came to live among a people you had never known before. ¹²May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May you have a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, to whom you have come for protection!”

¹³Ruth answered, “You are very kind^f to me, sir. You have made me feel better by speaking gently to me, even though I am not the equal of one of your servants.”