Ruth 4:2-11

2He took ten men of the 1elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down. 3Then he said to the 2closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land 3which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4So I thought to 4inform you, saying, ‘5Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if 6not, tell me that I may know; for 7there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of the deceased, in order 8to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” 69The 10closest relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, because I would 11jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself; you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it.”

7Now this was 12the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. 8So the 13closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal. 9Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. 10Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so 14that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the 15court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” 11All the people who were in the 16court, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home 17like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel; and may you achieve 18wealth in Ephrathah and 19become famous in Bethlehem.