Ruth 3

1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not look for rest for you, so that it may be well with you? 2 And now — is not Boaz, whose young women you have been with, a man we know? Look, tonight he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor. [a] 3 So wash, and rub yourself with oil, and put on your clothes, and go up to the threshing floor. Do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished drinking and eating. 4 And when he lies down, mark the place where he lies; then go and uncover what is at his feet and lie down, and he will tell you what to do.” 5 And Ruth said to her, “Everything you say, I will do.”

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law had told her. 7 And Boaz ate, and his heart was glad, and he came to lie down at the share of the heap of grain. And she came in secret and uncovered what was at his feet. [b] 8 And in the middle of the night the man was startled and shaken — and there was a woman lying at his feet. 9 And he said, “Who are you?” And she said, “I am Ruth your slave. Spread your wing over your slave, because you are a near relative.”

10 And Boaz said, “You are blessed by the Lord God, my daughter, because you have made your last mercy greater than the first, in not going after young men, whether needy or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not be afraid. Everything you say, I will do for you; for the whole tribe of my people knows that you are a woman of strength, 12 and that I am truly a near relative — and yet there is a near relative closer than I am. 13 Spend the night here, and in the morning, if he will act as the near relative for you — good, let him act. But if he is not willing to act as the near relative for you, then I will act as the near relative for you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning.”

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she got up before one man could recognize another; and Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he said to her, “Bring the wrap you have on.” And she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley and set them on her; and she went into the city. [c]

16 And Ruth came in to her mother-in-law, and she said, “Who are you, my daughter?” And Ruth told her everything the man had done for her. [d] 17 And she said to her, “He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said to me, ‘Do not go in to your mother-in-law empty.’” 18 And Naomi said, “Stay where you are, my daughter, until you know how the matter will not fall through; for the man will not rest until he has finished the matter today.” [e]