5. Ruth said, “If you say so, I’ll do it, just as you’ve told me.”
6. She went down to the threshing floor and put her mother-in-law’s plan into action.
7. Boaz had a good time, eating and drinking his fill—he felt great. Then he went off to get some sleep, lying down at the end of a stack of barley. Ruth quietly followed; she lay down to signal her availability for marriage.
8. In the middle of the night the man was suddenly startled and sat up. Surprise! This woman asleep at his feet!
9. He said, “And who are you?”She said, “I am Ruth, your maiden; take me under your protecting wing. You’re my close relative, you know, in the circle of covenant redeemers—you do have the right to marry me.”
16-17. When she came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, “And how did things go, my dear daughter?”Ruth told her everything that the man had done for her, adding, “And he gave me all this barley besides—six quarts! He told me, ‘You can’t go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law!’”
18. Naomi said, “Sit back and relax, my dear daughter, until we find out how things turn out; that man isn’t going to fool around. Mark my words, he’s going to get everything wrapped up today.”