How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #7
Boaz said to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have acquired from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabite, the wife of Mahlon, to be my wife, to maintain the dead man's name on his inheritance, in order that the name of the dead may not be cut off from his kindred and from the gate of his native place; today you are witnesses." (NRSV 4:9-10)
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. 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. (KJV 4:9-10)
How… romantic? Boaz "acquires" Ruth as is wife as part of his obligation to his family. Not exactly a swoon-worthy speech, but it does serve as a handy reminder that in a Bible, family planning is really more about property planning than anything else.
Quote #8
The women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him." (NRSV 4:14-15)
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. 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. (KJV 4:14-15)
Naomi is pumped. Not only does she have a grandson to provide for her, but she has one amazing daughter-in-law. In fact, Ruth is worth seven sons. Coming from a culture that prized sons over anything, this is saying a lot.
Quote #9
Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." (NRSV 4:16-17)
Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi. (KJV 4:16-17)
So this part is a little weird. Though the baby is technically not related to Naomi, she not only accepts him as her grandson, but also as her son. She even nurses the little guy. What does Ruth think about all this? We never know, and we're not sure it matters. The point of the story, after all, is that Naomi finally gets what she wants—a male relative she can claim as her own.