⁷Boaz had eaten and drunk to his heart’s content, so he went and lay at the edge of a pile of grain. Then she went over to him secretly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.

⁸At midnight the man was shivering. When he turned over, he was surprised to see a woman lying at his feet. ⁹“Who are you?” he asked.

She answered, “I am Ruth. Spread the corner of your garment over me because you are a close relative who can take care of me.”

¹⁰Boaz replied, “May the Lord bless you, my daughter. This last kindness—that you didn’t go after the younger men, whether rich or poor—is better than the first. ¹¹Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character. ¹²It is true that I am a close relative of yours, but there is a relative closer than I. ¹³Stay here tonight. In the morning if he will agree to take care of you, that is good. He can take care of you. But if he does not wish to take care of you, then, I solemnly swear, as the Lord lives, I will take care of you myself. Lie down until morning.”

Ruth Returns to Bethlehem

¹⁴So Ruth lay at his feet until morning. Then she got up early before anyone could be recognized. At that moment Boaz thought to himself, “I hope that no one will ever know that this woman came to the threshing floor.”

¹⁵Then Boaz told Ruth, “Stretch out the cape you’re wearing and hold it tight.” So she held it tight while he measured out six measures of barley. Then he placed it on her ⸤back⸥ and went into the town.

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