Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home.(A) May the Lord show you kindness,(B) as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands(C) and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest(D) in the home of another husband.”

Then she kissed(E) them goodbye and they wept aloud(F) 10 and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.”

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?(G) 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up?(H) Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter(I) for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!(J)

Read full chapter

14 The women(A) said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord,(B) who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.(C) May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law,(D) who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons,(E) has given him birth.”

16 Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse,(F) the father of David.(G)

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends