1Now in the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem-judah went to live for while in the country of Moab, with his wife and his two sons. 2The name of the man was Elimelech, his wife was named Naomi, and the names of his two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites of Bethlehem-judah. And they came and lived in the country of Moab. 3And then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left with her two sons. 4And they took wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one wife was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth; and they stayed in Moab for about ten years. 5And then both Mahlon and Chilion died; leaving Naomi bereft of her two sons and her husband. 6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, to return from Moab; for she had heard while in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of His people by providing food for them.

7Therefore, she left the place where she had been living with her two daughters-in-law, to return to the land of Judah. 8And Naomi told her two daughters-in-law, “Go, each of you, return to your mothers’ houses. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt kindly with the dead, and with me. 9The LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you, in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them; and they wept aloud. 10And they said to her, “Surely, we will return with you to your people.” 11And Naomi said, “Turn around, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12Turn around, 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, 13Would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it grieves me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone against me.” 14And they again lifted their voices, and wept; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clung to Naomi. 15And Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her gods; return with your sister-in-law.” 16But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to leave you, or to turn from following you; for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried; the LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death will part you and me.” 18When Naomi realized that she was determined to come with her, then she ceased speaking to her. 19So the two travelled until they came to Bethlehem. And when they arrived at Bethlehem, all the city was moved about them, and they said, “Is this Naomi?” 20And she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (pleasant), but call me Mara (bitter); for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21I went out full, and the LORD has brought me back home empty. Why then call you me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

22So Naomi returned, with Ruth, the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, from the country of Moab; and they arrived at Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.