He said,"Whoare you?" And she answered,"I am Ruthyour maid.So spreadyour coveringoveryour maid,for you are a closerelative."
"Then I passedby you and sawyou, and behold,you were at the timefor love;so I spreadMy skirtoveryou and coveredyour nakedness.I also sworeto you and enteredinto a covenantwith you so that you becameMine," declaresthe LordGOD.
"For everyonewho exaltshimselfwill be humbled,and he who humbleshimselfwill be exalted."
Naomisaidto her daughter-in-law,"May he be blessedof the LORDwhohas not withdrawnhis kindnessto the livingand to the dead."Again Naomisaidto her, "The manis our relative,he is one of our closestrelatives."
Then he said,"May you be blessedof the LORD,my daughter.You have shownyour lastkindnessto be betterthanthe firstby not goingafteryoungmen,whetherpoororrich.
"Nowit is true I am a closerelative;however,thereis a relativecloserthanI.
It happenedin the middleof the nightthat the manwas startledand bentforward;and behold,a womanwas lyingat his feet.
"So I thoughtto informyou, saying,Buy[it] beforethose who are sitting[here], and beforethe eldersof my people.Ifyou will redeem[it], redeem[it]; but ifnot, tellme that I may know;for thereis noonebut you to redeem[it], and I am afteryou.'" And he said,"I will redeem[it]."
The closestrelativesaid,"I cannotredeem[it] for myself, becauseI would jeopardizemy own inheritance.Redeem[it] for yourself; you [may have] my rightof redemption,for I cannotredeem[it]."
She aroseand bowedwith her faceto the groundand said,"Behold,your maidservantis a maidto washthe feetof my lord'sservants."
