3:13a
Stay here tonight: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Stay here means “lodge” or “stay.” It is the same word that Ruth used in 1:16 to tell Naomi, “where you stay I will stay.” It does not imply that Boaz suggested that Ruth have sexual relations with him.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Stay here the rest of the night (Good News Translation)
-or-
Remain here tonight (NET Bible)
3:13b-c
and in the morning, if he wants to redeem you, good. Let him redeem you. But if he does not want to redeem you, as surely as the LORD lives, I will. Now lie here until morning: These two “if/then” statements tell two possible results of Boaz talking to the closer relative (which is implied). It lists the possible results and their consequences one at a time. Some translations list both possibilities first and then the consequence of each. For example:
and in the morning we will see if he will take care of you. If he decides to take care of you, that is fine. But if he refuses, I will take care of you myself, as surely as the LORD lives. (New Century Version)
-or-
until morning, then I will find out if he is willing to look after you. If he isn’t, I promise by the living God to do it myself. (Contemporary English Version)
Arrange these clauses in a way that is natural and clear in your language.
3:13b
and in the morning: It is implied that Boaz would do something in the morning. Some versions make this explicit. For example:
Tomorrow morning, I will tell this man about you. (Translation for Translators)
-or-
and in the morning I will talk to him (New Living Translation (2004))
if he wants to redeem you, good: This clause is the if clause of the first of two conditional statements. The first possibility is that the closer relative will care for Naomi and Ruth and marry Ruth. Because this man was a closer relative of Elimelech than Boaz, he had the right to choose first whether or not he would do that.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
If he is willing to do his duty and help you, that is good.
-or-
if he will agree to take care of you, that is good (God’s Word)
-or-
If he says that he will marry you and take care of you, fine (Translation for Translators)
he: This pronoun refers to the closer relative. He is never named, so if simple pronouns are not clear, you may need identify him more explicitly. For example:
the closer relative
wants to redeem you: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wants to redeem you is based on the same root as “kinsman-redeemer” in 3:12a. See how you translated this term there. Also see the examples above in 3:13b.
good: This word is a comment on the first possible result. Boaz realized that if the other man would properly care for Ruth’s and Naomi’s needs, it would be good.
Let him redeem you: This clause is the “then” clause of the first conditional statement. If the other man wanted to fulfill this responsibility toward Ruth and Naomi, he should do so. It was his right.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
He can take care of you. (God’s Word)
-or-
Let him marry you. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Let him help you. (New International Reader’s Version)
3:13c
But if he does not want to: This clause tells the other possible result of Boaz’s talk with the closer relative. This “if” clause is the opposite of the one in 3:13b.
The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But if he does not want to is more literally “But if he is not pleased to redeem you.” The Berean Standard Bible leaves the last words implicit. You may need to make them explicit in your translation.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
But if he does not wish to do so (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
If he refuses to help (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
But if he does not wish to take care of you (God’s Word)
as surely as the LORD lives: This was a common oath or promise. It meant that it is absolutely true that the LORD lives. In the same way, it was just as certain that the person would keep his promise.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I promise, as surely as the Lord lives (NET Bible)
-or-
I solemnly promise that as surely as Yahweh lives (Translation for Translators)
-or-
You can be sure that the Lord lives. And you can be just as sure that (New International Reader’s Version)
I will: The Hebrew uses an emphatic pronoun I here. Boaz was emphasizing to Ruth that he himself would redeem her if the other man chose not to do so.
In some languages, you may want to make explicit what Boaz will do.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I promise…to marry you (NET Bible)
-or-
I promise…to do it myself (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I will take care of you myself (New Century Version)
3:13d
Now lie here until morning: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as morning is the same general word that was used in 3:13b. However, here it probably refers to sunrise.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Lie down here until morning. (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
Now lie down and stay here till morning. (Good News Translation)
Paragraph 3:14–15
This paragraph says that Ruth spent the rest of the night at Boaz’s feet. Then it describes what they did when they first woke up.
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