Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bêyth Lechem Yahûdâh went to sojourn in the country of Môâb, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
And the name of the man was Êlı̂ymelek (אֱלִימֶלֶךְ), and the name of his wife Noŏmı̂y (נָעֳמִי), and the name of his two sons Machlôn (מַחְלוֹן) and Kilyôn (כִּלְיוֹן), Ephrâthı̂y (אֶפְרָתִי) of Bêyth Lechem Yahûdâh. And they came into the country of Môâb, and continued there.
And Êlı̂ymelek Noŏmı̂y's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
And they took them wives of the women of Môâb; the name of the one was Orpâh (עָרְפָּה), and the name of the other Rûth (רוּת) and they dwelled there about ten years.
And Machlôn and Kilyôn died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Môâb: for she had heard in the country of Môâb how that YAHUAH (יהוה) had visited his people in giving them bread.
Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Yahûdâh.
And Noŏmı̂y said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: YAHUAH (יהוה) deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.
YAHUAH (יהוה) grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
And they said unto her, Surely we will return with you unto your people.
And Noŏmı̂y said, Turn again, my daughters: why will you go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
Would you tarry for them till they were grown? would you stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieves me much for your sakes that the hand of YAHUAH (יהוה) is gone out against me.
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpâh kissed her mother in law; but Rûth clave unto her.
And she said, Behold, your sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return you after your sister in law.
And Rûth said, Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for whither you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים) my ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים):
Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: YAHUAH (יהוה) do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part you and me.
Then she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
So they two went until they came to Bêyth Lechem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bêyth Lechem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Noŏmı̂y?
And she said unto them, Call me not Noŏmı̂y, call me Mârâ (מָרָא): for the SHADDAY (שַׁדַּי) has dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full and YAHUAH (יהוה) has brought me home again empty: why then call you me Noŏmı̂y, seeing YAHUAH (יהוה) has testified against me, and the SHADDAY (שַׁדַּי) has afflicted me?
So Noŏmı̂y returned, and Rûth the Môâbı̂y, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Môâb: and they came to Bêyth Lechem in the beginning of barley harvest.
