overseer replied: “This is Ruth who came with Noemi from the land of Moab; and she desires leave to glean the ears of com that remain, following the steps of the reapers. She hath been in the field from morning till now[1], and hath not gone home for a moment.”
Then Booz addressed Ruth very kindly, and said: “Hear me, daughter: Keep with my maids and follow where they reap. I have charged my young men not to molest thee, and if thou art thirsty, go to the vessels and drink of the waters whereof the servants drink, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar.” Full of gratitude for these kind words, Ruth bent down before Booz, and asked how it came that she, a woman of another country, should find favour in his sight.
Booz told her that all she had done for her mother-in-law since the death of her husband had been related to him. He prayed: “Mayest thou receive a full reward of the Lord, under whose wings thou art fled.” He then privately told the reapers: “Let fall some of your handfuls of purpose, that she may gather them without shame.” She gleaned therefore in the field till evening, and then beat out with a rod what she had gleaned, which was an ephi: that is three bushels. Grateful for the kindness shown her, she returned to her mother-in-law, carrying with her the barley she had threshed, and the leavings of the meal that had been given her. Noemi was astonished and asked: “Where hast thou gleaned to-day, and what hast thou wrought? Blessed be he that hath had pity on thee.” Ruth told the man’s name, that he was called Booz.
Next day she returned to the field of Booz and continued to glean after the reapers, till all the barley was laid up in the barns. Some time after Booz said to Ruth: “My daughter, all the people that dwell within the gates of my city know that thou art a virtuous woman.” So he married her. Then the ancients came and said to Booz: “May this woman be an example of virtue in Ephrata, and may she have a famous name in Bethlehem.” The Lord blessed their union and gave them a son whom they called Obed. Then Noemi, full of joy, taking the child, laid it
- ↑ Front morning till now . She was, therefore, very industrious. This pleased Booz, and made him speak to her as he did.
