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.

10 “Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so athat the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the 1court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”

11 All the people who were in the 1court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home alike Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve 2wealth in Ephrathah and 3become famous in Bethlehem.

12 “Moreover, may your house be like the house of aPerez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the 1offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman.”