Ruth 3

A Bold Move at Midnight

1 One day Naomi said, “Ruth, it is time I find you a man so you can have a good life.”

2 “You know Boaz, the guy whose field you been working in, He is family. And tonight he will be at the threshing floor getting’ the barley right.”

3 “Wash up, throw on some smell goods, get dressed nice, and go down there. But do not let him see you till he has done eating and drinking.”

4 “After he lays down, watch where he sleeps. Then go uncover his feet and lay down, he will tell you what to do.”

5 Ruth said, “Say less. I will do exactly what you said.”

Ruth Shoots Her Shot

6 She went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her.

7 After Boaz had eaten and drunk and was feeling good, he went to sleep at the grain pile. Ruth slid over quietly, uncovered his feet, and laid down.

8 Around midnight, Boaz woke up startled, and saw a woman laid at his feet.

9 He said, “Who are you?” She said, “It is me, Ruth, your servant. Spread your covering over me, you are my guardian-redeemer.”

10 Boaz said, “The Lord bless you, girl. You could have chased young dudes, rich or broke, but you stayed loyal. That is real.”

11 “Do not worry, I will do what you ask. Everybody in town knows you are a solid woman.”

12 “It is true I am a guardian-redeemer, but there is another guy closer in line than me.”

13 “Stay the night. In the morning, if he steps up and claims you, cool. But if not, I swear, I got you. Now get some rest.”

Ruth Heads Home Blessed

14 So she laid at his feet till morning, but got up before it got too light. Boaz did not want anybody knowing she had been there.

15 He said, “Bring your shawl.” She held it out, and he loaded it with six scoops of barley and put it on her back. Then she went home.

16 Naomi asked, “How did it go, girl?” Ruth told her everything Boaz had done.

17 She said, “He gave me all this barley and said, ‘Do not go home to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

18 Naomi said, “Okay. Now we wait. That man is not going to rest till this is handled. He is going to take care of it today.”