a

¶ Nowe it came to passe in the dayes when y e Iudges ruled, that there was a famine in the land: and a certaine man of Bethlehem Iudah, went to soiourne in the countrey of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sonnes.

1611 marginal noteHebr. iudged.

¶ And Naomi had a kinseman of her husbands, a mighty man of wealth, of the familie of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her happe was to light on a part of the fielde belonging vnto Boaz, who was of the kinred of Elimelech.

1611 marginal noteHeb, happe happened.

1611 marginal noteCalled Mat. 1.5.Booz.

And she said, I pray you, let mee gleane and gather after the reapers amongst the sheaues: so shee came, and hath continued euen from the morning vntill now, that she taried a little in the house.

Then she fel on her face, and bowed her selfe to the ground, and said vnto him, Why haue I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

And Boaz answered and said vnto her, It hath fully bene shewed me, all that thou hast done vnto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy natiuitie, and art come vnto a people, which thou knewest not heretofore.

The LORD recompense thy worke, and a full reward be giuen thee of the LORD God of Israel, vnder whose wings thou art come to trust.

¶ And it came to passe at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himselfe: and behold, a woman lay at his feete.

1611 marginal noteOr, tooke holde on.

And hee said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt ouer thine handmaid, for thou art a neare kinseman.

1611 marginal noteOr, one that hath right to redeeme.

And now my daughter, feare not, I will doe to thee all that thou requirest: for all the citie of my people doeth know, that thou art a vertuous woman.

1611 marginal noteHeb. gate.