SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:9

3:9a

“Who are you?” he asked: As in previous verses, you may want to put the quote introducer at the beginning. For example:

He asked, “Who are you?” (CJB)

3:9b

“I am your servant Ruth,” she replied: Again, the Berean Standard Bible has placed the words she replied after the quoted words of Ruth. In most languages, it is more natural to put this quote introducer at the beginning of the sentence. For example:

And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. (English Standard Version)

your servant: When Ruth referred to herself as your servant, she spoke in a figurative way. She did not literally mean that she was his slave or servant. Ruth used this figure of speech to indicate her respect and humility to someone who had higher status than herself.

There are two options to translate this figure of speech:

Keep the literal meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

I am Ruth, your servant girl (New Century Version)

Use a term of respect that expresses the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

Sir, I am Ruth (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

My⌋lord, it is I, Ruth

3:9c–d

General Comment on reordering in 3:9c–d

Before you translate 9c–d you should consider the natural order in which your language should place the two clauses of this sentence. In 9c Ruth made an appeal or request to Boaz, and in 9d she gave the basis or reason for that appeal. In many languages, it will be more natural to reorder these clauses. For example:

9d You are a kinsman-redeemer of our family, 9cso⌋ spread the corner of your garment over me.

3:9c

Spread the corner of your garment over me: This clause is a Hebrew idiom with a double meaning. The figurative meaning of the idiom is “marry me” or “take me as your wife.” However, the literal meaning (expressed in the Berean Standard Bible) also fits this context. (See the note and footnote under corner of your garment below.) With this statement, Ruth was asking for two things. She wanted Boaz to take her as his wife, and she also wanted him to cover her up from the cold night air.

Here are some options to translate this idiom:

Translate the literal meaning and put the figurative meaning in a footnote. For example:

So spread the edge of your cover over me. (Contemporary English Version)

FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew, these words have another meaning, which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

Translate the figurative meaning and put the literal meaning in a footnote. For example:

Please⌋marry me.

FOOTNOTE: In Hebrew she said, “Cover me with the edge of your robe/blanket.” But these words have another meaning which is, “Look after me as your wife.”

Use a short clause that expresses both the literal and figurative meaning. For example:

Spread the edge of your robe over me to show that you will marry me.

Translate this clause in a natural and meaningful way in your language.

Spread…over me: This means “cover me with” or “stretch out over me.”

the corner of your garment: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the corner of your garment refers to the “edge,” “boundary,” or “corner” of a blanket, covering, or item of clothing. This Hebrew word has a double meaning which is important in this context. It can also refer to the “wings” of a bird or animal. This was a figure of speech that referred to care and protection, like a young bird seeking protection under the “wings” of its mother.

me: In Hebrew, Ruth spoke of herself to Boaz here as “your servant.” She did not use the pronoun me. This is the same word for “servant” that she used to refer to herself in 3:9b. See the note there. In both places, she used this word as a figure of speech to show humility and respect to Boaz.

If referring to yourself as someone’s “servant” is a natural or possible way in your language to show respect, consider saying it that way here. For example:

Spread out your robe over your servant. (CEB)

If your audience would assume that Ruth meant that she was a literal servant to Boaz, you should follow the Berean Standard Bible and some other translations by using the pronoun me.

3:9d

for: The Hebrew conjunction which the Berean Standard Bible translates as for means “because.” Here it introduces a basis or reason for the request that Ruth made to Boaz in 9c. If you are reordering 9c–d as described in the General Comment above, it may not be necessary to include an explicit translation of this conjunction.

you are a kinsman-redeemer: See the notes on 2:20d. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as kinsman-redeemer refers to someone who was responsible to defend and protect the rights of needy relatives, including widows. Ruth reminded Boaz that this was his duty because he was a close relative of her dead husband.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

you are the relative who is supposed to take care of me (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
one of those who have responsibility to care for our family
-or-
Because you are a close relative, you are responsible for taking care of me. So please marry me. (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have a duty to help/protect our(excl.) family

See how you translated this word in 2:20d and use a similar expression here.

Paragraph 3:10–13

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 4:1

Section 4:1–12

Boaz assumed responsibility for Ruth

In this final chapter of the book, Ruth received the reward for her loyalty to Naomi.

Boaz is in focus in the first twelve verses. He met with the other close relative in the presence of many witnesses to discuss the entire situation. The other relative did not want to buy Elimelech’s property that Naomi was selling, if the arrangement also meant that he had to marry Ruth. So Boaz said that he would act as the redeemer himself.

In section 4:13–17, Boaz and Ruth were married, and the LORD soon gave them a son. The women in Bethlehem named the son Obed and rejoiced that Naomi now had a “son” to carry on her family line and care for her in her old age. So both Naomi and Ruth were going to be cared for, and the women went from “emptiness” to “fullness.”

Section 4:18–22 concludes the book with a genealogy that lists of the family line of Perez, who was a son of Judah and grandson of Jacob (who is also called Israel). The family line is listed from Perez through Obed to King David.

Here are some other examples of section headings for 4:1–12:

Boaz Redeems Ruth (English Standard Version)
-or-
Boaz Settles the Matter (NET Bible)

Structure:

Some commentaries divide this section into four scenes:

(1) 4:1–2 Introduction: Boaz Convenes a Legal Assembly

(2) 4:3–8 Boaz Obtains the Rights of Redemption

(3) 4:9–10 Boaz Formalizes the Agreement

(4) 4:11–12 Witnessing and Blessing

One commentary divides this section into three scenes.

(1) 4:1–2 setting the stage for the legal drama

(2) 4:3–8 report of the legal drama

(3) 4:9–12 significance of legal drama

You may divide the paragraphs in these scenes in whatever way best fits the structure of your language.

Paragraph 4:1–2

This paragraph describes how Boaz convened a legal assembly at the town gate prior to the actual legal proceedings.

4:1a

Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate: The Hebrew conjunction that connects this to the previous verse does not indicate when this action took place in relation to the events that occurred at the end of chapter 3. The Berean Standard Bible uses Meanwhile to begin the sentence, since it seems quite probable that Boaz went up to the gate area of the city and sat down there to wait during the same time that Ruth was returning home to Naomi and talking with her (3:16–18).

Here is another way to translate Meanwhile :

Before the close relative arrived

to the gate: Here the phrase to the gate is probably an idiom that means “went to court.” At that time it was normal for the town meeting place to be just inside the town gate. That is where Boaz went. He did not go to the gate itself.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate (Good News Translation)
-or-
Boaz went to the place where leaders met to decide important things/cases

If people in your culture are not familiar with towns that have walls and gates, it may be necessary to explain in a footnote that towns had walls and gates in OT times.

and sat down there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sat down is the same verb translated as “wait” in 3:18a. Boaz may have expected that he would have to wait for a while. Apparently, the relative he wanted to see was not there when he arrived. So he sat down to wait for him.

4:1b

In Hebrew, this part of the verse includes the word hinneh, which is often translated as “Behold” or “Look.” See how you translated it in 3:8b.

This word calls the readers’ attention to what happened. Use whatever special words, word order, or other method your language uses to focus attention on someone or some event.

Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along: This refers to the man whom Boaz had mentioned to Ruth. This man had the right and duty to redeem Naomi’s land and to marry Ruth. Here are some other ways to translate kinsman-redeemer :

nearest relative (Good News Translation)
-or-
the one who was responsible to care for the family
-or-
the relative with the duty to help the family

See how your translated “kinsman-redeemer” in 2:20c and 3:9d.

came along: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as came along indicates that the man was in the process of “passing by” or “going through” the gate area when Boaz saw him.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

was passing by (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
came past (Revised English Bible)

4:1c

and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.”: Boaz called out to the man and asked him to Come over to where Boaz was sitting. The man was apparently going somewhere else, but Boaz asked him to stop and take care of this business first.

my friend: Boaz was looking for this particular man, and he certainly knew his name. But the author of the book of Ruth did not know the name or did not wish to provide it.

There are two ways to translate what Boaz said:

Use a direct quotation, but leave the form of address general. For example:

“My friend/brother, come over here…

Use an indirect quotation. For example:

Boaz invited the man to come over.

4:1d

So: The same Hebrew conjunction that was used in 4:1a, in this verse part indicates result. The other relative came over to Boaz, because Boaz had called him.

he went over and sat down: The important status that Boaz had in the community is clearly seen here and in 4:2b. When Boaz asked the relative and the elders of the town to do something, they promptly did exactly what he asked.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

So the man came over and sat down. (God’s Word)
-or-
So Boaz invited him to come over and sit down, and he did. (Contemporary English Version)

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:18

Do not return to Naomi with nothing to give to her. (Easy English Bible)
-or-
He said that I must not go home without bringing a gift for you. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

3:18a

“Wait, my daughter,” said Naomi, “until you find out how things go: This verse part indicates that Naomi wanted Ruth to be patient until there was more news. She did not need to leave their home to seek news about Boaz’s actions, or to do anything more herself.

The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as how things go refers to the results of what Boaz said that he would do. Naomi was referring to whether Boaz or the other redeemer would act as the kinsman-redeemer and marry Ruth.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Naomi said to her, “Now be patient, Ruth, until you see how this all turns out. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Then Naomi answered, “Child! We must wait until we know what will happen ⌊when Boaz talks with the other relative⌋.

3:18b

for: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces a reason clause and is often translated as “because.” Naomi told Ruth that she should be patient, because Boaz would most certainly do what he said that he would do. However, the idea of reason is not very strong here, so in some languages, it may be more natural to omit it.

he will not rest: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as he refers to Boaz, so you could also use his name.

The expression will not rest is used here as a figure of speech. Naomi believed that Boaz would keep trying to settle this matter and would not stop until he did so.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

that man will not stop
-or-
Boaz will surely do what he needs to do (Easy English Bible)

unless he has resolved the matter today: This clause means that Boaz would not rest or stop until he resolved the problem of who would redeem Ruth. He would talk with the closer relative and then know whether that relative or Boaz would redeem Ruth. Naomi knew that Boaz would do what he said that same day. Either the closer relative would redeem and marry Ruth or Boaz would. By the end of the day, Ruth would know which would happen.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

until he solves the problem, ⌊which he will do⌋ today
-or-
until they decide the matter ⌊of your marriage⌋ today
-or-
until he has finished doing what he should do today (New Century Version)

has resolved: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as resolved more literally means “finished” or “completed.” Here it refers to a legal decision about what will happen. It could be translated as “decided.”

today: Naomi was putting emphasis on this word. She believed that Boaz would conclude this important issue on that day.

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:17

3:17a-b

And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”: The quotation of what Boaz said gives the reason that he gave Ruth the barley. In some languages, it may be more natural to reverse the order of these clauses. For example:

She added, “He told me I must not come back to you empty-handed, so he gave me all this barley.” (Good News Translation)

3:17a

And she said, “He gave me these six measures of barley…”: The Hebrew text emphasizes the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as these six measures of barley. That emphasis implies that it was a very large gift. The size of the gift showed that Boaz was concerned for Naomi and Ruth’s welfare.

If you can communicate this emphasis in your language, then you should do so. One way to show the emphasis is to add a word like “all.” For example:

She also said, “He gave me ⌊all⌋ these six measures of barley.”
-or-
She said to Naomi, ‘He also gave me all this barley. (Easy English Bible)

3:17b

for he said, ‘Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed’: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed is a quotation inside another quotation. Ruth was telling Naomi exactly what Boaz said. In many languages, it will be necessary to translate this as indirect speech. For example:

Boaz said that I should not return to you without bringing ⌊a gift⌋.

empty-handed: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as empty-handed is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “empty” in 1:21a. There, Naomi said that the LORD had brought her back to Israel empty. She meant that her husband and sons had died and she was poor. If you can translate the word the same in both verses, it would be good. However, in some languages it may necessary to say here that Boaz wanted Ruth to return with something, or with hands full of grain. For example:

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:16

Paragraph 3:16–18

This paragraph tells what happened when Ruth went back to Naomi. Ruth told her what had happened and about the barley. Naomi told her to wait for Boaz to act.

In this paragraph, the author does not give the names of the people involved, but uses pronouns. Some names have been included in many English versions as implied information from the context. In your translation, you may also need to name the individuals so that your readers can better understand the story.

3:16a

When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked her: This clause tells what Ruth did while Boaz was going to town.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked (NET Bible)
-or-
When Ruth returned home to Naomi, Naomi asked her (Easy English Bible)
-or-
Ruth went to the home of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi went to the door and asked (English Easy-to-Read Version)

How did it go, my daughter?: The Hebrew question that the Berean Standard Bible translates as How did it go, my daughter? is more literally “Who are you, my daughter?” In this context, it means that Naomi wanted to know what happened when Ruth met with Boaz.

Here are some other ways to translate this question:

How did things go with you, daughter? (New Jerusalem Bible)

What happened, my daughter? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Did you have success, my daughter?

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this question as an indirect quotation. For example:

Naomi asked her what had happened (Contemporary English Version)

3:16b

Then Ruth told her all that Boaz had done for her: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all that Boaz had done for her refers to his promises to talk to the closer relative and marry her if that relative would not do it. It also refers to the gift of barley. Because the barley is mentioned in 3:17, you might want to make the promises explicit here. For example:

Then Ruth told her all that Boaz ⌊promised⌋ to do for her
-or-
And Ruth told Naomi everything that Boaz ⌊said⌋ to her

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Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:15

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

“Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
“I hope that no one will ever know that this woman came to the threshing floor.” (God’s Word)

In some languages, it might be better to use an indirect quotation to report what Boaz thought. For example:

Boaz had it in mind that no one should know that the woman had been to the threshing-floor. (Revised English Bible)

3:15a

Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out: Boaz asked Ruth to unwrap the shawl from around her shoulders, and then hold it open so that he could put grain into it.

This shawl was probably a wrap for her head and shoulders on top of her dress. It must have been fairly large and strong enough to carry a large amount of grain in it.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hold…out also means “seize” or “grip (tightly).” The shawl was only a large piece of cloth, and not a bag. So Ruth would have to hold it firmly on the corners as Boaz poured the grain to prevent it from spilling.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Hold out the shawl you are wearing and grip it tightly. (NET Bible)
-or-
Bring me your shawl and hold it open. (New Century Version)
-or-
Stretch out the cape you’re wearing and hold it tight. (God’s Word)

In some languages, it may be more natural to use an indirect quotation here. For example:

Then he told her to bring her shawl and hold it firmly.

3:15b

When she did so: This clause is more literally “And she held it.” In some languages, you may want to make explicit what she did as in the Hebrew. For example:

As she held it tightly (NET Bible)
-or-
So Ruth held her shawl open (New Century Version)
-or-
So she held it tight while (God’s Word)

he shoveled six measures of barley: The Hebrew of this clause is more literally “He measured (out) six (of) barley.” It means that Boaz measured the barley as he put it in Ruth’s shawl. The text does not say what measuring container or unit was used. However it is clear that this was a generous amount but not too much for a strong young woman to carry alone. Most scholars think it was around thirty kilograms (sixty-five pounds).

If you can, use a special unit of weight that can be used for grain, such as rice. Then use the number of units that will make a total of about thirty kilograms. If you do not have a special unit of weight for grain, you may translate six measures as “Thirty (30) kilograms” or “sixty-five (65) pounds.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and he measured six measures of barley (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
he poured about 30 kilograms of barley into her shawl
-or-
He poured more than fifty pounds of barley into it (New International Reader’s Version)
-or-
And he filled it with a lot of grain (Contemporary English Version)

into her shawl: Women at that time often carried heavy loads on their heads. Sometimes they needed help to get a very heavy load into position to carry it. Boaz helped her lift this heavy weight and get it properly balanced on her head, or possibly on her back or shoulders.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Boaz then put it on her head (New Century Version)
-or-
and placed it on her back (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and helped her lift it to her shoulder (Good News Translation)

3:15c

Then he went into the city: There is a textual problem with this verse:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “he went into the town.” For example:

Then he returned to the town. (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The Syriac and Vulgate have “she went into the town.” Some scholars think that the feminine verb was the original text because 3:16a continues the story with Ruth arriving home. For example:

When Ruth got back to town (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). There does not seem to be a strong reason to not follow it. Boaz wanted to take care of his responsibility quickly, and the text here indicates that he returned to town as soon as he gave Ruth the grain.

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:14

3:14a

So she lay down at his feet: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces what Ruth did in response to what Boaz told her in 3:13.

Because this is the beginning of a new paragraph, it may be appropriate to identify the participants by name here. For example:

So Ruth stayed near his feet until morning (New Century Version)
-or-
Ruth lay beside Boaz’s feet… (Easy English Bible)

until morning: From the statement in 3:14b, it is obvious that Ruth got up before the sun arose. Use a suitable word that can indicate a time very early in the morning, even before the sun rises.

3:14b

but she got up before anyone else could recognize her: In some languages, it will be necessary to explain why people could not recognize one another. They could not recognize one another because it was still too dark to see well. For example:

but she got up before it was light enough for her to be seen (Good News Translation)
-or-
But she got up and left before it was light enough that people would be able to recognize her (Translation for Translators)
-or-
but rose before it was light enough for one man to recognize another (Revised English Bible)
-or-
She got up while it was still dark, before it was light enough for people to recognize each other. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

A few translations just translate the meaning that it was still dark. They leave implied the idea that people could not recognize others. For example:

She woke up while it was still dark. (NET Bible)
-or-
but she got up before daylight (Contemporary English Version)

The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as before anyone else could recognize her is more literally “before one could recognize his companion.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

She rose before one person could distinguish another (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Then she got up before anyone could see her. (Easy English Bible)

3:14c

Then Boaz said: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as said can be used in some cases for a person speaking to himself (thinking). Therefore, there are two ways to interpret 3:14c:

(1) This is something Boaz thought. For example:

for he thought (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) This is something Boaz said aloud. For example:

for Boaz had said (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). If Boaz were talking aloud to Ruth, he would probably not refer to her in the third person, especially as “the woman” (see below).

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Boaz thought (NET Bible)
-or-
And Boaz said to himself

“Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.”: There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a woman :

(1) The Masoretic Text (Hebrew) has “the woman.” For example:

“People in town must not know that the woman came here to the threshing floor.” (New Century Version)

(2) The Septuagint (LXX) has “a woman.” For example:

“No one must know that a woman visited the threshing floor.” (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). There is no reason to doubt the accuracy of the MT. Boaz was worried about the reputation of Ruth, not the reputation of any woman.

The Berean Standard Bible does not follow interpretation (1) for either of the above issues, so the New Jerusalem Bible has been used as an alternate Source Line in the Display.

© 2024 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Ruth 3:13

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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