1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side whose name was Boaz. He was a rich and influential man from the family of Elimelech.
3 So she went and picked up grain the reapers had left behind. She happened to be working in a field that belonged to Boaz, a relative of Elimelech.
9 Pay attention to what part of the field the men are reaping and follow the women.2:9. It is thought that the men did the work of cutting the stalks of grain, while the women followed behind tying them into sheaves. I’ve told the men not to bother you. When you get thirsty, go and have a drink from the water jars the servants have filled."
11 "I’ve heard about all you’ve done for your mother-in-law since your husband died," Boaz replied. "And also how you left your father and mother, and the land of your birth, to come and live among people you didn’t know. 12 May the Lord fully reward you for all you’ve done—the Lord, the God of Israel, to whom you’ve come for protection."2:12. Literally, "under whose wings you have sought refuge."
17 Ruth worked in the field until the evening. When she beat out the grain that she had picked up it was a large amount.2:17. "Large amount,": literally, "an ephah," a unit of measurement of uncertain quantity, estimated at between 22 and 45 liters.
20 "The Lord bless him!" Naomi exclaimed to her daughter-in-law. "He goes on showing his kindness to the living and the dead. That man is a close relative to us—a ‘family redeemer.’"2:20. "Family redeemer": a term for someone who had the responsibility to protect the interests of the family, particularly in the case of someone who died.