1:1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 1 , In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a man from Bethlehem in Judah left the country because of a severe famine. He took his wife and two sons and went to live in the country of Moab.
1:2 The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. During their stay in Moab,
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 2 , The man's name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. During their stay in Moab,
1:3 Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 3 , Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons.
1:4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later,
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 4 , The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later,
1:5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or sons.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 5 , both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her husband or sons.
1:6 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 6 , Then Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland.
1:7 With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 7 , With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.
1:8 But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go back to your mothers' homes instead of coming with me. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 8 , But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go back to your mothers' homes instead of coming with me. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me.
1:9 May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage.' Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 9 , May the LORD bless you with the security of another marriage.' Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.
1:10 'No,' they said. 'We want to go with you to your people.'
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 10 , 'No,' they said. 'We want to go with you to your people.'
1:11 But Naomi replied, 'Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 11 , But Naomi replied, 'Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands?
1:12 No, my daughters, return to your parents' homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what?
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 12 , No, my daughters, return to your parents' homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what?
1:13 Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD himself has caused me to suffer.'
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 13 , Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD himself has caused me to suffer.'
1:14 And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 14 , And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth insisted on staying with Naomi.
1:15 'See,' Naomi said to her, 'your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.'
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 15 , 'See,' Naomi said to her, 'your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.'
1:16 But Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 16 , But Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
1:17 I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!'
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 17 , I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!'
1:18 So when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped urging her.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 18 , So when Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped urging her.
1:19 So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was stirred by their arrival. 'Is it really Naomi?' the women asked.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 19 , So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was stirred by their arrival. 'Is it really Naomi?' the women asked.
1:20 'Don't call me Naomi,' she told them. 'Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 20 , 'Don't call me Naomi,' she told them. 'Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me.
1:21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?'
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 21 , I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?'
1:22 So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
The NLT Book of Ruth , Chapter 1 , Verse 22 , So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
