Ruth 4

Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.

Boaz, filled with anticipation, went to the city gate and patiently sat. Soon, the relative he had spoken of appeared. With a warm, inviting voice, Boaz called out, "Hey, friend! Come, sit with me." Without hesitation, the man joined him.

And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.

He gathered ten respected elders from the town, gently instructing, "Please, take a seat here." Without hesitation, they complied.

And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:

He told the relative, "Naomi, who returned from Moab, is selling a piece of land that once belonged to our brother Elimelech."

And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.

I considered telling you, "Purchase it before everyone, especially the elders of our community. If you're willing to buy it, then do so. But if you're not, let me know. You're the first in line to buy it back, and I'm next after you." And he agreed, "I will buy it."

Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Boaz declared, "When you purchase Naomi's land, you must also take Ruth, the Moabite widow, as your wife. This is to honor her deceased husband's legacy."

And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

The relative confessed, "I can't buy it for myself without risking my own legacy. You take my claim, for I'm unable to fulfill it."

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

In the old days in Israel, to seal a deal about buying or swapping property, a man would take off his shoe and give it to the other party. This act was a recognized sign of agreement.

Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

So, the relative told Boaz, "Go ahead, it's yours." And with that, he took off his shoe, a symbol of sealing the deal.

And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.

Boaz passionately declared to the elders and everyone present, "Today, you all bear witness that I have rightfully acquired everything that once belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon from Naomi."

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

Today, I've chosen Ruth, the Moabite and Mahlon's widow, to be my wife. I do this to honor Mahlon's memory and to keep his name alive within his family and community. You all are my witnesses to this act.

And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Everyone present, including the elders, affirmed their witness. They prayed that the woman joining your household would be as blessed as Rachel and Leah, who were instrumental in establishing Israel. They hoped you would make a significant impact in Ephratah and become renowned in Bethlehem.

And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.

May your home be as blessed and fruitful as the house of Pharez, born to Tamar and Judah, a gift from the Lord through this young woman.

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son.

Boaz lovingly accepted Ruth as his wife. When they intimately united, God blessed them with a child, a son, a symbol of their love.

And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

The women joyfully told Naomi, "Praise God, who has given you a relative today to uphold your family's honor in Israel."

And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

He will rejuvenate your life and sustain you in your twilight years. Your daughter-in-law, who loves you dearly and is more precious to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.

And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Naomi, filled with love, gently cradled the child close to her heart, becoming its tender caregiver.

And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi's friends joyfully announced, "Naomi has a son!" They named him Obed, who would become the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,

This is the lineage of Pharez: Pharez was the father of Hezron.

And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab,

Hezron, filled with joy, became the father of Ram. Ram, in turn, with immense pride, fathered Amminadab.

And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon,

Amminadab lovingly brought forth Nahshon, and from Nahshon, with the same affection, came Salmon.

And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed,

Salmon lovingly fathered Boaz, and in turn, Boaz warmly brought forth Obed.

And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Obed lovingly fathered Jesse, who in turn, with great pride, became the father of David.