Naomi and her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah leave the land of Moab to return to Bethlehem. When they had walked for a few hours, Naomi said to them: “My daughters, return to your mother. May the Lord be merciful to you.” But Ruth refused to abandon her mother-in-law in her poverty and they both arrived in Bethlehem at harvest time. Led by the hand of God, Ruth went to glean in the field of Boaz, a very rich man and close relative of Naomi. During the day, Boaz, having come to visit his harvesters, saw Ruth working hard. “Who is this girl?” he asked. “It is,” they replied, “that Moabite who came with Naomi. She asked us to let her collect the ears behind the harvesters and, since then, she has remained in this field, without returning home for a single moment.” Boaz, moved, allowed the young stranger to glean between the harvests and recommended his servants to drop some ears on purpose so that she could gather more. Seeing such a bountiful harvest, Naomi cried out, “Where have you gleaned today? Blessed is he who had pity on you! Naomi having told Ruth that the law allowed her to marry Boaz, Ruth went to the field of their benefactor and, when night came, she lay down at his feet as a sign of submission. Boaz was a virtuous man whose righteousness and equity were respected by everyone. He was touched by the young woman’s approach and married her.

Source: Fondation Jérôme Seydoux-Pathé - Translated