Ruth 3 and Hesed

1. "Then Naomi, her mother-in-law said to her: "My daughter, I must seek rest for your, so that all will be well with you. 2. Now: Boaz, with whose maidens you have been, is our next-of-kin. He will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor. 3. Therefore, bathe and anoint yourself. Put on your cloak, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4. Then, when he lies down, take note of the place where he lies. And go over, uncover his feet, and lie down. He will tell you what to do." 5. And she [Ruth] said to her, "I will do all that you have said to me." 6. She went down to the threshing floor, and did exactly what her mother-in-law had told her to do. 7. Boaz ate and drank, and his heart was merry. He went to lie down at the end of a heap of corn; and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8. And it happened at midnight that the man was startled and turned over--a woman was lying at his feet. 9. And he said, "Who are you?" She answered: "I am Ruth, your hand-maiden. Spread your robe over your hand-maiden for you are our next-of-kin. 10. He said, "The Eternal bless you, my daughter. Your latest act of hesed is even greater than the first, in that you have not gone after the young men, whether poor or rich. 11. And now, my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you whatever you say; for all the elders of my people know that you are a virtuous woman. 12. Now: is it true that I am next-of-kin? There is a kinsman even closer than I. 13. Stay the night. In the morning, if he will redeem you, fine; let him redeem! But if he does not want to redeem you, then--as the Eternal lives--I shall redeem you! Now, lie down until morning." 14. And she lay at his feet until the morning. Then, before a person could recognize another, she arose; for he said: "Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 15. He said, "bring me the shawl you are wearing, and hold it firmly." And when she held it, he measured out six measures of barley, and placed them upon her, and went into the city. 16. "She came to her mother-in-law, and Naomi asked, "How are things, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17. Then she said, "He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said to me, "Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law." 18. Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out. The man will not rest; he will surely settle the matter today." (Translation adapted from The Five Scrolls ed. Herbert N. Bronstein and Albert H. Friedlander)