Ruth Visits Boaz

3:6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had instructed her to do.19 3:7 When Boaz had finished his meal and was feeling satisfied, he lay down to sleep at the far end of the grain heap.20 Then Ruth21 crept up quietly,22 uncovered his legs,23 and lay down beside him.24 3:8 In the middle of the night he was startled25 and turned over.26 Now27 he saw a woman28 lying beside him!29 3:9 He said, “Who are you?”30 She replied, “I am Ruth, your servant.31 Marry your servant,32 for you are a guardian of the family interests.”33 3:10 He said, “May you be rewarded34 by the Lord, my dear!35 This act of devotion36 is greater than what you did before.37 For you have not sought to marry38 one of the young men, whether rich or poor.39 3:11 Now, my dear, don’t worry!40 I intend to do for you everything you propose,41 for everyone in the village42 knows that you are a worthy woman.43 3:12 Now yes, it is true that44 I am a guardian,45 but there is another guardian who is a closer relative than I am. 3:13 Remain here tonight. Then in the morning, if he agrees to marry you,46 fine,47 let him do so.48 But if he does not want to do so, I promise, as surely as the Lord lives, to marry you.49 Sleep here until morning.”50 3:14 So she slept beside him51 until morning. She woke up while it was still dark.52 Boaz thought,53 “No one must know that a woman visited the threshing floor.”54 3:15 Then he said, “Hold out the shawl55 you are wearing56 and grip it tightly.” As she held it tightly, he measured out about sixty pounds57 of barley into the shawl and put it on her shoulders. Then he58 went into town, 3:16 and she returned to her mother-in-law.