1 There was a famine during the time when the judges ruled1:1. Literally "when judges judged," but this was in an executive role, rather than simply judicial. Israel, so a man left Bethlehem in Judah and went to live in exile in the country of Moab, along with his wife and two sons.
3 However, Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 5 both Mahlon and Chilion died. Naomi was left alone, without her two sons or her husband.
8 However, as they left, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Each of you, go back to your mother’s homes, and may the Lord be as kind to you as you have been to me, and to those who have died.
14 They started crying loudly again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye. But Ruth held on tightly to Naomi.
16 But Ruth replied, "Please don’t keep on telling me to leave you and go back. Where you go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me harshly if I let anything but death separate us!"
20 She said to them, "Don’t call me Naomi! Call me Mara,1:20. Naomi means "happy," while Mara means "bitter." for the Almighty has treated me very bitterly. 21 I left here full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has condemned me, when the Almighty has brought disaster on me?"