1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem) in Yehudah went to sojourn in the country of Moav, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem) in Yehudah. And they came into the country of Moav, and continued there.

3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took them wives of the women of Moav; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelled there about ten years.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moav; for she had heard in the country of Moav how that יהוה had visited His people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah (Yehudah).

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. יהוה deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 יהוה grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 And they said unto her, “Surely we will return with you unto your people.”

11 And Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have a husband also tonight, and should also bear sons;

13 Would you tarry for them till they were grown? Would you stay for them from having husbands? Nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of יהוה is gone out against me!”

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, “Behold, your sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods (elohim); return you after your sister in law.”

16 And Ruth said: “Intreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you; for whither you goest, I will go; and where you lodgest, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God (Elohim) my God (Elohim).

17 Where you diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; יהוה do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part you and me.”

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem). And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem), that all the city was moved about them, and they said, “Is this Naomi?”

20 And she said unto them, “Call me not Naomi (my delight), call me Mara (bitterness), for Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, and יהוה hath brought me home again empty; why then call you me Naomi, seeing יהוה hath testified against me, and Almighty hath afflicted me?”

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moavitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moav; and they came to Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem) in the beginning of barley harvest.