1,2 Before Israel was ruled by kings, Elimelechfrom the clan of Ephrath lived in the town of Bethlehem. His wife was named Naomi, and their two sons were Mahlonand Chilion. But when their crops failed in Israel, they moved to the country of Moab.1.1,2 Moab: The people of Moab worshiped idols and were usually enemies of the people of Israel.And while they were there, 3 Elimelechdied, leaving Naomiwith only her two sons.
4 Later, Naomi’s sons married Moabitewomen. One was named Orpahand the other Ruth. About ten years later, 5 Mahlonand Chilionalso died. Now Naomi had no husband or sons.
6,7 When Naomi heard that the Lordhad given his people a good harvest, she and her two daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moaband go to Judah. As they were on their way there, 8 Naomisaid to them, "Don’t you want to go back home to your own mothers? You were kind to my husband and sons, and you’ve always been kind to me. I pray that the Lordwill be just as kind to you. 9 May he give each of you another husband and a home of your own."
Naomi kissed them. They cried 10 and said, "We want to go with you and live among your people."
11 But she replied, "My daughters, why don’t you return home? What good will it do you to go with me? Do you think I could have more sons for you to marry?1.11 for you to marry: When a married man died and left no children, it was the custom for one of his brothers to marry his widow. Any children they had would then be thought of as those of the dead man, so that his family name would live on.12 You must go back home, because I am too old to marry again. Even if I got married tonight and later had more sons, 13 would you wait for them to become old enough to marry? No, my daughters! Life is harder for me than it is for you, because the Lordhas turned against me."1.13 Life … me: Or "I’m sorry that the Lord has turned against me and made life so hard for you."
14 They cried again. Orpahkissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruthheld on to her. 15 Naomi then said to Ruth, "Look, your sister-in-law is going back to her people and to her gods! Why don’t you go with her?"
16 Ruthanswered,
"Please don’t tell me
to leave you
and return home!
I will go where you go,
I will live where you live;
your people will be my people,
your God will be my God.
17 I will die where you die
and be buried beside you.
May the Lordpunish me
if we are ever separated,
even by death!"1.17 even by death: Or "by anything but death."
18 When Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind to go with her, she stopped urging her to go back.
19 They reached Bethlehem, and the whole town was excited to see them. The women who lived there asked, "Can this really be Naomi?"
20 Then she told them, "Don’t call me Naomiany longer! Call me Mara,1.20 Mara: In Hebrew "Naomi" means "pleasant," and "Mara" means "bitter."because God has made my life bitter. 21 I had everything when I left, but the Lordhas brought me back with nothing. How can you still call me Naomi, when God has turned against me and made my life so hard?"
22 The barley harvest was just beginning when Naomiand Ruth, her Moabitedaughter-in-law, arrived in Bethlehem.
Lugar Bíblico
Cidade / Povoado
Bethlehem
Hoje: Bethlehem (Beit Lahm)
בֵּית לֶ֫חֶםbet lechemΒηθλεέμBēthleem
Bethlehem is the town in Judah from which the ruler who would shepherd Israel would come, and where David tended his father’s sheep; there Herod gave orders to kill the boys two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Moab is a land ruled by kings, such as Eglon and Balak, where David asked the king to shelter his parents; fire and punishment are proclaimed against it (Amos 2:2).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Moab is a land ruled by kings, such as Eglon and Balak, where David asked the king to shelter his parents; fire and punishment are proclaimed against it (Amos 2:2).
Moab is a land ruled by kings, such as Eglon and Balak, where David asked the king to shelter his parents; fire and punishment are proclaimed against it (Amos 2:2).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Bethlehem is the town in Judah from which the ruler who would shepherd Israel would come, and where David tended his father’s sheep; there Herod gave orders to kill the boys two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Naomi, from Bethlehem in Judah, was the wife of Elimelech and mother of Mahlon and Chilion. She went to live in Moab, where her husband died, and returned to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law Ruth (Ruth 1:22).
Moab is a land ruled by kings, such as Eglon and Balak, where David asked the king to shelter his parents; fire and punishment are proclaimed against it (Amos 2:2).
Bethlehem is the town in Judah from which the ruler who would shepherd Israel would come, and where David tended his father’s sheep; there Herod gave orders to kill the boys two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).