Ruth 1:1–9

Naomi’s Family in Moab

1 During the time a of the judges, b there was a famine in the land. c A man left Bethlehem d e in Judah with his wife and two sons to live in the land of Moab for a while. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, f and his wife’s name was Naomi. g The names of his two sons were Mahlon h and Chilion. i They were Ephrathites j from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the land of Moab and settled there. 3 Naomi’s husband Elimelech died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 Her sons took Moabite women as their wives: one was named Orpah and the second was named Ruth. After they lived in Moab about 10 years, 5 both Mahlon and Chilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two children and without her husband.

Ruth’s Loyalty to Naomi

6 She and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab, because she had heard in Moab that the Lord had paid attention to His people’s need by providing them food. k 7 She left the place where she had been living, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law, and traveled along the road leading back to the land of Judah.

8 She said to them, “Each of you go back to your mother’s home. l May the Lord show faithful love to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. 9 May the Lord enable each of you to find security m in the house of your new husband.” She kissed them, and they wept loudly.