Ruth Chapter 1

1In the time that the Judges ruled, there was a dearth in the land, and a man of Bethlehem Judah went for to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi, and the names of his two sons, Mahlon, and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah: and when they came into the land of Moab, they continued there.

3Then Elimelech the husband of Naomi died, and she remained with her two sons,

4Which took them wives of the Moabites: the one’s name was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

5And Mahlon and Chilion dieth also both twain: so the woman was left, destitute of her two sons, and of her husband.

6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, and returned from the country of Moab: for she had heard say in the country of Moab, that the Lord had visited his people, and given them bread.

7Wherefore she departed out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her, and they went on their way to return unto the land of Judah.

8Then Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you unto her own mother’s house: the Lord show favor unto you, as ye have done with the dead, and with me.

9The Lord grant you, that you may find rest, either of you in the house of her husband. And when she kissed them, they lift up their voice and wept.

10And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11But Naomi said, Turn again my daughters: for what cause will ye go with me? are there any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12Turn again my daughters: go your way: for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, and if I had an husband this night: yea, and if I had borne sons,

13Would ye tarry for them, till they were of age? would ye be deferred for them from taking of husbands? nay my daughters: for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

14Then they lift up their voice and wept again, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth abode still with her.

15And Naomi said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law.

16And Ruth answered, Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to depart from thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou dwellest, I will dwell: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death depart thee and me.

18When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left speaking unto her.

19So they went both until they came to Bethlehem: and when they were come to Bethlehem, it was noised of them through all the city, and they said, Is not this Naomi?

20And she answered them, Call me not Naomi, but call me Mara: for the Almighty hath given me much bitterness.

21I went out full, and the Lord hath caused me to return empty: why call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath humbled me, and the Almighty hath brought me unto adversity?

22So Naomi returned and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, when she came out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.