Ruth's Loyalty to Noemin
Ruth 1
During a famine, Elimelech takes his wife Noemin and two sons from Bethleem to Moab, where the sons marry Moabite women before Elimelech and both sons die. Noemin sets out to return to Judah and urges her daughters-in-law to go back to their own people; Orpha does so, but Ruth refuses to leave her, and the two women arrive together in Bethleem at the beginning of barley harvest.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW when the Judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man went from Bethlehem Juda to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land: and a man went from Bethleem Juda to sojourn in the land of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
GreekΚΑΙ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ κρίνειν τοὺς κριτὰς, καὶ ἐγένετο λιμὸς ἐν τῇ γῇ· καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ Βηθλεὲμ Ἰούδα τοῦ παροικῆσαι ἐν ἀγρῷ Μωὰβ, αὐτὸς καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ οἱ δύο υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ.
KJVNow it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
JPSAND IT came to pass in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem in Judah went to sojourn in the field of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2
ThomsonThe man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Noemin, and the names of his two sons, Maalon and Chelaion. They were Ephrathites of Bethlehem Juda. They went to the country of Moab,
BrentonAnd the man's name was Elimelech, and his wife's name Noemin, and the names of his two sons Maalon and Chelaion, Ephrathites of Bethleem of Juda: and they came to the land of Moab, and remained there.
GreekΚαὶ ὄνομα τῷ ἀνδρὶ Ἐλιμέλεχ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ Νωεμὶν, καὶ ὄνομα τοῖς δυσὶν υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ Μααλὼν, καὶ Χελαιὼν, Ἐφραθαῖοι ἐκ Βηθλεὲμ τῆς Ἰούδα· καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς ἀγρὸν Μωὰβ, καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
JPSAnd the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem in Judah. And they came into the field of Moab, and continued there.
3
Thomsonand while they were there, Elimelech, the husband of Noemin, died, and she was left with her two sons.
BrentonAnd Elimelech the husband of Noemin died; and she was left, and her two sons.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανεν Ἐλιμέλεχ ὁ ἀνὴρ τῆς Νωεμὶν, καὶ κατελείφθη αὕτη καὶ οἱ δύο υἱοὶ αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
JPSAnd Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4
ThomsonAnd they took for themselves wives of the daughters of Moab, the name of the one was Orpha, and the name of the other Ruth. And when they had dwelt there about ten years,
BrentonAnd they took to themselves wives, women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpha, and the name of the second Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάβοσαν ἑαυτοῖς γυναῖκας Μωαβίτιδας· ὄνομα τῇ μιᾷ, Ὀρφά· καὶ ὄνομα τῇ δευτέρᾳ, Ῥούθ· καὶ κατῴκησαν ἐκεῖ ὡς δέκα ἔτη.
KJVAnd they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
JPSAnd they took them wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth; and they dwelt there about ten years.
5
Thomsonboth Maalon and Chelaion died, so that the woman was bereaved of her husband, and her two sons.
BrentonAnd both Maalon and Chelaion died also; and the woman was left of her husband and her two sons.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέθανον καί γε ἀμφότεροι Μααλὼν καὶ Χελαιών· καὶ κατελείφθη ἡ γυνὴ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν δύο υἱῶν αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
JPSAnd Mahlon and Chilion died both of them; and the woman was left of her two children and of her husband.
6
ThomsonWhereupon she arose with her two daughters-in-law, and set out on her return from the country of Moab; for she had heard, in the country of Moab, that the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread.
BrentonAnd she rose up and her two daughters-in-law, and they returned out of the country of Moab, for she heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited his people to give them bread.
GreekΚαὶ ἀνεστη αὕτη καὶ αἱ δύο νύμφαι αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπέστρεψαν ἐξ ἀγροῦ Μωὰβ, ὅτι ἤκουσεν ἐν ἀγρῷ Μωὰβ ὅτι ἐπέσκεπται Κύριος τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, δοῦναι αὐτοῖς ἄρτους.
KJVThen she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
JPSThen she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the field of Moab; for she had heard in the field of Moab how that the LORD had remembered His people in giving them bread.
7
ThomsonSo she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law.
BrentonAnd she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her: and they went by the way to return to the land of Juda.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἦν ἐκεῖ, καὶ αἱ δύο νύμφαι αὐτῆς μετʼ αὐτῆς· καὶ ἐπορεύοντο ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι εἰς τὴν γῆν Ἰούδα.
KJVWherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
JPSAnd she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8
ThomsonAnd when they had travelled some part of the way on their return to the land of Juda, Noemin said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, I pray you, return each to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have done with the dead, and with me.
BrentonAnd Noemin said to her daughters-in-law, Go now, return each to the house of her mother: the Lord deal mercifully with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Νωεμὶν, ταῖς δυσὶ νύμφαις αὐτῆς, πορεύεσθε δὴ, ἀποστράφητε ἑκάστη εἰς οἶκον μητρὸς αὐτῆς· ποιήσαι Κύριος μεθʼ ὑμῶν ἔλεος, καθὼς ἐποιήσατε μετὰ τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ μετʼ ἐμοῦ·
KJVAnd Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
JPSAnd Naomi said unto her two daughters-in-law: ‘Go, return each of you to her mother’s house; the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9
ThomsonThe Lord grant, that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband. So she kissed them, and they wept aloud,
BrentonThe Lord grant you that ye may find rest each of you in the house of her husband: and she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
GreekΔῴη Κύριος ὑμῖν καὶ εὕρητε ἀνάπαυσιν ἑκάστη ἐν οἴκῳ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς· καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτάς· καὶ ἐπῇραν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαυσαν.
KJVThe LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
JPSTheLORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.’ Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10
Thomsonand said to her, We will go back with thee to thy people.
BrentonAnd they said to her, We will return with thee to thy people.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν αὐτῇ, μετὰ σου ἐπιστρέφομεν εἰς τὸν λαόν σου.
KJVAnd they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
JPSAnd they said unto her: ‘Nay, but we will return with thee unto thy people.’
11
ThomsonBut Noemin said, Return, I pray you, my daughters! for why should you go with me? Have I yet any more sons in my womb to be husbands for you?
BrentonAnd Noemin said, Return now, my daughters; and why do ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb to be your husbands?
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Νωεμὶν, ἐπιστράφητε δὴ θυγατέρες μου· καὶ ἱνατί πορεύεσθε μετʼ ἐμοῦ; μὴ ἔτι μοι υἱοὶ ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ μου, καὶ ἔσονται ὑμῖν εἰς ἄνδρας;
KJVAnd Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
JPSAnd Naomi said: ‘Turn back, my daughters; why will ye go with me? have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12
ThomsonReturn, I pray you, my daughters! For I am too old to have a husband—for should I say, I am in condition to marry, and should I bear sons,
BrentonTurn now, my daughters, for I am too old to be married: for I said, Suppose I were married, and should bear sons;
GreekἘπιστράφητε δὴ θυγατέρες μου, διότι γεγήρακα τοῦ μὴ εἶναι ἀνδρί· ὅτι εἶπα, ὅτι ἐστί μοι ὑπόστασις τοῦ γενηθῆναί με ἀνδρὶ, καὶ τέξομαι υἱούς·
KJVTurn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
JPSTurn back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say: I have hope, should I even have an husband to-night, and also bear sons;
13
Thomsonwould you wait for them till they grow up; or should you be restrained by them from having husbands? No, my daughters. Indeed it grieveth me much for your sakes, that the hand of the Lord hath gone forth against me.
Brentonwould ye wait for them till they should be grown? or would ye refrain from being married for their sakes? Not so, my daughters; for I am grieved for you, that the hand of the Lord has gone forth against me.
GreekΜὴ αὐτοὺς προσδέξεσθε ἕως οὗ ἁδρυνθώσιν; ἢ αὐτοῖς κατασχεθήσεσθε τοῦ μὴ γενέσθαι ἀνδρί; μὴ δὴ θυγατέρες μου, ὅτι ἐπικράνθη μοι ὑπὲρ ὑμᾶς, ὅτι ἐξῆλθεν ἐν ἐμοὶ χεὶρ Κυρίου.
KJVWould ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
JPSwould ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye shut yourselves off for them and have no husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes, for the hand of the LORD is gone forth against me.’
14
ThomsonAnd when they had raised their voice, and wept again, Orpha kissed her mother-in-law, and returned to her people; but Ruth followed her.
BrentonAnd they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpha kissed her mother-in-law and returned to her people; but Ruth followed her.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπῇραν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔκλαυσαν ἔτι· καὶ κατεφίλησεν Ὀρφὰ τὴν πενθερὰν αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς τὸν λαὸν αὐτῆς· Ῥοὺθ δὲ ἠκολούθησεν αὐτῇ.
KJVAnd they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
JPSAnd they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth cleaved unto her.
15
ThomsonThen Noemin said to Ruth: Behold thy sister-in-law is gone back to her people, and to her gods, return thou also, I pray thee, after thy sister-in-law.
BrentonAnd Noemin said to Ruth, Behold, thy sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods; turn now thou also after thy sister-in-law.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Νωεμῖν πρὸς Ῥοὺθ, ἰδοὺ ἀνέστρεψε σύννυμφός σου πρὸς λαὸν αὐτῆς καὶ πρὸς τοὺς θεοὺς αὐτῆς· ἐπιστράφηθι δὴ καὶ σὺ ὀπίσω τῆς συννύμφου σου.
KJVAnd she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
JPSAnd she said: ‘Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her god; return thou after thy sister-in-law.’
16
ThomsonWhereupon Ruth said, Force me not to leave thee, nor to return from following thee; for whither soever thou goest, I will go; and wherever thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people; and thy God, my God;
BrentonAnd Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following thee; for whithersoever thou goest, I will go, and wheresoever thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
GreekΕἶπε δὴ Ῥοῦθ, μὴ ἀπάντησαί μοι τοῦ καταλιπεῖν σε, ἢ ἀποστρέψαι ὄπισθέν σου, ὅτι σὺ ὅπου ἐὰν πορευθῇς, πορεύσομαι, καὶ οὗ ἐὰν αὐλισθῇς, αὐλισθήσομαι· ὁ λαός σου, λαός μου, καὶ ὁ Θεός σου, Θεός μου·
KJVAnd Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
JPSAnd Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave thee, and to return from following after thee; for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
17
Thomsonand wherever thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me and more also, if any thing but death shall part me and thee.
BrentonAnd wherever thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if I leave thee, for death only shall divide between me and thee.
GreekΚαὶ οὗ ἐὰν ἀποθάνῃς, ἀποθανοῦμαι, κᾀκεῖ ταφήσομαι· τάδε ποιήσαι μοι Κύριος, καὶ τάδε προσθείη, ὅτι θάνατος διαστελεῖ ἀναμέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ.
KJVWhere thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
JPSwhere thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the LORD do so to me,and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.’
18
Thomson—
BrentonAnd Noemin seeing that she was determined to go with her, ceased to speak to her any more.
GreekἸδοῦσα δὲ Νωεμὶν ὅτι κραταιοῦται αὐτὴ τοῦ πορεύεσθαι μετʼ αὐτῆς, ἐκόπασε τοῦ λαλῆσαι πρὸς αὐτὴν ἔτι.
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonSo they both proceeded on till they came to Bethlehem. And when they arrived at Bethlehem, all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Noemin?
BrentonAnd they went both of them until they came to Bethleem: and it came to pass, when they arrived at Bethleem, that all the city rang with them, and they said, Is this Noemin?
GreekἘπορεύθησαν δὲ ἀμφότεραι, ἕως τοῦ παραγενέσθαι αὐτὰς εἰς Βηθλεέμ· καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν αὐτὰς εἰς Βηθλεὲμ, καὶ ἤχησε πᾶσα ἡ πόλις ἐπʼ αὐταῖς, καὶ εἶπον, εἰ αὕτη ἐστὶ Νωεμίν;
KJVSo they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
JPSSo they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was astir concerning them, and the women said: ‘Is this Naomi?’
20
ThomsonBut she said to them, Call me not, I pray you, “Noemin.” Call me, “Bitter”: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
BrentonAnd she said to them, Nay, do not call me Noemin; call me ‘Bitter,’ for the Mighty One has dealt very bitterly with me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὰς, μὴ δὴ καλεῖτέ με Νωεμίν· καλέσατέ με πικρὰν, ὅτι ἐπικράνθη ἐν ἐμοὶ ὁ ἱκανὸς σφόδρα.
KJVAnd she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
JPSAnd she said unto them: ‘Call me not Naomi, call me Marah; for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
21
ThomsonI went out full; but the Lord hath brought me back empty. Why therefore do you call me Noemin, seeing the Lord hath brought me low, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
BrentonI went out full, and the Lord has brought me back empty: and why call ye me Noemin, whereas the Lord has humbled me, and the Mighty One has afflicted me?
GreekἘγὼ πλήρης ἐπορεύθην, καὶ κενὴν ἀπέστρεψέ με ὁ Κύριος· καὶ ἱνατί καλεῖτέ με Νωεμὶν, καὶ Κύριος ἐταπείνωσέ με, καὶ ὁ ἱκανὸς ἐκάκωσέ με;
KJVI went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
JPSI went out full, and the LORD hath brought me back home empty; why call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?’
22
ThomsonThus Noemin returned, with Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law; and having returned from the country of Moab, they came to Bethlehem, at the beginning of the barley harvest.
BrentonSo Noemin and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, returned from the country of Moab; and they came to Bethleem in the beginning of barley harvest.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε Νωεμὶν καὶ Ῥοὺθ ἡ Μωαβίτις ἡ νύμφη αὐτῆς ἐπιστρέφουσαι ἐξ ἀγροῦ Μωάβ· αὗται δὲ παρεγενήθησαν εἰς Βηθλεὲμ ἐν ἀρχῇ θερισμοῦ κριθῶν.
KJVSo Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
JPSSo Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the field of Moab—and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.