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He said, “Who are you?” She answered, “I am Ruth, your handmaid. Spread your covering[a] over your handmaid, for you are my next of kin.” 10 He said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. This latter kindness you have shown is greater than the former, for you have not sought after the young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will give you whatever you ask, for all of my people in the city know that you are a virtuous woman.

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:9 Spread your covering: Ruth’s invitation to Boaz was not immoral for it was customary for the nearest kin to fill this role (see Deut 25:5-10).

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment(A) over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer[a](B) of our family.”

10 “The Lord bless you,(C) my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier:(D) You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 3:9 The Hebrew word for guardian-redeemer is a legal term for one who has the obligation to redeem a relative in serious difficulty (see Lev. 25:25-55); also in verses 12 and 13.