DÌ‐4 ([4^th]) ZHĀNG (chapter)

“ Nǐ (you) Dào (to) Nǎli ([where]) Qù (go) , Wǒ (I) Yě (also) Yào (must) Dào (to) Nǎli ([where]) Qù (go) ”
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1, 2. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) zhèng ({just then}) wǎng ({were going towards}) nǎli ([where]) qù ({to go}) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) tāmen de ([their]) xīn·qíng (heart · feelings) hěn (very) chén·zhòng (sinkingly · {were heavy}) ? (Bǐng) ((c)) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (with) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) tà·shang (tread · upon) lǚ·chéng (travel · journey) , qíngkuàng (situations) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) bù·tóng (not · {being the same}) ?

Lùdé (Ruth) péibàn·zhe ({was accompany}·ing) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , zǒu (walking) zài (at) Móyā (Moab’s) gāo·yuán (high · plains) de (’) yì (one) tiáo ([mw]) lù (road) shang (upon) . Liáo·kuò (distant · vast) dāng (facing) fēng (wind) de (’s) gāo·yuán (high · plains) shang (upon) zhǐ·yǒu (only · had) tāmen ([their]) liǎ ({two [mw]}) xiǎoxiǎo (little) de (’s) shēn·yǐng (body · shadows) . Yǎnjiàn ([soon]) yǐng·zi (shadows · [suf]) yuèláiyuè ([more and more]) cháng ({were long}) , Lùdé (Ruth) zhīdào ([knew]) shíhou (time) bù (not) zǎo ({was early}) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā (she) kàn·zhe ({look at} · -ing) pópo ({mother-in-law}) , xīn·xiǎng (heart · thought) : Shì (is) bu (not) shì (is) gāi (should) zhǎo ({look for}) ge ([mw]) dìfang ([place]) guò·yè ({to pass} · night) le ([indicates a change]) ? Lùdé (Ruth) shēn (deeply) ài (loved pópo ({mother-in-law}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , wèile ([in order to]) zhàogu ({look after}) pópo ({mother-in-law}) , zhǐ·yào (only · needing) néng ({to be able}) zuò·dào ({to do} · {arriving at}) de (’s) shì (things) tā (she) dōu (all) jìn·xīn ({would expend to the limit} · heart) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) .

² Zhèi (these) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) nǚ·zǐ (female · persons’) xīn·qíng (heart · feelings) dōu (even) hěn (very) chén·zhòng (sinkingly · {were heavy}) . Ná’émǐ (Naomi) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through [and]}) guǎ·jū (widowed · lived) duō (many) nián (years) , zuì·jìn (most · recently) lián (even) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) Jīlián (Chilion) hé (and) Mǎlún (Mahlon) yě (also) sǐ·qù (died · away) le ([to completion]) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason} fēi·cháng (un·usually) shāng·xīn ({was wounded in} · heart) . Mǎlún (Mahlon) shì (was) Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) zhàngfu (husband) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason} Lùdé (Ruth) yě (also) hěn (very) bēi·shāng ({was sad} · {was hurt}) . Zhè (this) shí (time) , tāmen ([they]) zhèng ({just then}) cháo·zhe (face- · -ing) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) chéng (city) zǒu·qù ({were walking} · {to go to}) . Suī·rán (although · -ly) mù·dì·dì (eye · target · lands) xiāng·tóng (mutually · {were the same}) , qíngkuàng (situations) què (however) bù (not) yí·yàng ({[were of] one} · [way]) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) shì (was) huí ({circling back to}) lǎo·jiā (old · home) , Lùdé (Ruth) què·shì (indeed · was) qián·wǎng (forward · {going towards}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) mò·shēng ({[from] road} · unfamiliar) de (’s) dìfang ([place]) . Lùdé (Ruth) bú·dàn (not · only) yào (needed) lí·kāi ({to leave} · [clear of]) qīn·shǔ (relatives · {family members}) , jiā·xiāng (family · {native place}) , hái (also) děi (needed) piē·qì ({to cast aside} · {to abandon}) jiā·xiāng (family · {native place}) de (’s) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [it]} · had shén (gods) hé (and) yíqiè ([all]) xísú (customs) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:3–6.)

3. Zhīdào ([knowing]) něi·xiē (which · few) wèntí ([questions]) de (’) dá’àn ([answers]) néng (can) bāngzhù (help wǒmen ([us]) xiào·fǎ ({to imitate} · {to take as a model}) Lùdé (Ruth) , xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) ?

³ Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) nián·qīng (years · light) de (’s) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) zài (at) shēng·huó (life · living) shang (upon) zuò·chū ({would make} · out) zhè·yàng (this · {kind of}) zhòng·dà (weighty · great) de (’s) tiáo·zhěng (adjusting · arranging) ? Shénme ([what]) lì·liang (strength · quantity) shǐ (made) Lùdé (Ruth) néng·gòu (able · enough) shì·yìng (appropriately · {to respond to}) xīn (new) shēng·huó (life · living) , jìn·xīn ({to expend to the limit} · heart) zhàogu ({to look after}) pópo ({mother-in-law}) ne? Wǒmen ([we]) zhīdào ([know]) dá’àn ([answers]) yǐ·hòu (at · afterwards) jiù (then) huì (will) kàn·chū (see · out) , Móyā (Moabite) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) Lùdé (Ruth) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) , tā de ([her]) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model què·shí (certainly · solidly) zhí·de ({is worth} · getting) wǒmen ([us]) xué·xí ({to learn} · {to get practised with}) . ( Qǐng (please) kàn (see) “ Yí (one) Jiàn ([mw]) Xiǎoxiǎo (little) de (’s) Yìshù (art) Zhēn·pǐn (precious · article) ” zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) fù·lán (attached · [bounded area]) ) Shǒu·xiān (first · before) ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) kànkan (see) , zhèi (these) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) nǚ·zǐ (female · persons) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (needed) tà·shang ({to tread} · upon) mànmàn (boundless) cháng (long) lù (road) , qián·wǎng (forward · {to go towards}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) .

Zāoyù (encountered) Bú·xìng (not · {good fortune}) , Tòng (painfully) Shī (lost) Zhì·qīn (most · close) ˄

4, 5. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi’s) yì (one) jiā (family) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (needed) bān·dào ({to move} · to Móyā (Moab) qù ({to go}) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Shēn·chǔ ([self] · {situated in}) Móyā (Moab) de (’s) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) miànduì (faced) něi·xiē (which · few) kǎoyàn (trials) ?

⁴ Lùdé (Ruth) zài (in) Móyā (Moab) zhǎng·dà (grew · big) . Móyā (Moab) shì (was) Sǐ (Dead) Hǎi (Sea) dōng·miàn (east · face) de (’s) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xiǎo (small) guó (nation) , jìng·nèi (borders · inside) zhǔ·yào ({[of] main} · importance) shì (were) shùmù (trees) xīshū (sparse) de (’s) gāo·yuán (high · plains) , hái·yǒu (also · had) yí·dào·dào (one · [mw] · [mw]) xiá·gǔ (gorges · valleys) . Dāng·dì ({at that} · land) tǔrǎng (soil) féiwò ({was fertile}) , shì·hé ({was suiting} · {was fitting}) gēng·zhòng (tilling · cultivating) . Yǐsèliè (Israel) nào ({was suffering from}) jīhuang (famine) shí (times) , Móyā (Moab) méi·yǒu (not · {would have}) shòu·dào (received · {arriving at}) yǐngxiǎng ([influence]) . Lùdé (Ruth) yě (even) yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) rèn·shi·le (recognize · know · -ed) duǒ·bì (avoiding · evading) jīhuang (famine) de (’s) Mǎlún (Mahlon’s) yì (one) jiā (family) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:1)

⁵ Yóu·yú (caused · by) Yǐsèliè (Israel) nào ({suffering from}) jīhuang (famine) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) zhàngfu (husband) Yǐlìmǐlè (Elimelech) juédìng (decided) dài ({to bring}) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) hé (and) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) lí·kāi ({to leave} · [clear of]) jiā·xiāng (family · {native place}) , qiáo·jū ({residing abroad} · {to reside in}) Móyā (Moab) . Kěshì ([however]) , Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) bìxū (needed) zài (at) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zhǐ·dìng ({had pointed to} · {had set}) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , dào ({to arrive at}) tā (he) zhǐ·dìng ({had pointed to} · {had set}) de (’s) shén·shèng (godly · holy) dìfang ([place]) chóngbài ({to worship}) tā (him) . ( Shēnmìngjì ([Deuteronomy]) 16:16, 17) Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi’s) yì (one) jiā (family) bān·dào (moved · to Móyā (Moab) hòu ({after ←}) , yào (wanting) bǎo·chí ({to keep} · {to hold}) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) jiù (then) bù (not) róng·yì ({was permitting} · ease) le ([indicates a change]) . Ná’émǐ (Naomi) què (yet) yì·zhí (one · straight) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) jiān·qiáng (firm · strong) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) . Búguò ([however]) , zhàngfu (husband) de (’s) sǐ (death) hái·shi (still · was) shǐ (causing) tā (her) shòu·dào ({to receive} · {arriving at}) hěn (very) dà (great) de (’s) dǎ·jī (strike · attack) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:2, 3)

6, 7. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yīn (because) érzi (sons) qǔ·le ({take as wife} · -ed) Móyā (Moabite) nǚ·zǐ (female · persons) ér (thus) dānxīn ([worried]) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) duì·dài (treated · {dealt with}) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) de (’s) fāng·shì (direction · style) hěn (very) hǎo ({was good}) ?

⁶ Hòu·lái (afterwards · {came [to be]}) , liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) dōu (both) qǔ·le ({take as wife} · -ed) Móyā (Moabite) nǚ·zǐ (female · persons) , zhè (this) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) lìng ({to make}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) yōulǜ (anxious) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:4) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) zhīdào ([knew]) , tā de ([her]) zǔ·xiān (ancestor · previous) Yàbólāhǎn (Abraham) céng (had) jìn·lì ({expended to the limit} · power) wèi (for) érzi (son) Yǐsā (Isaac) zài (in) tóng·zú (same · clan) zhōng (within) , yě (also) jiù·shì (exactly · was) zài (in) jìng·bài (respected · worshipped) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) rén (people) dāng·zhōng (at · among) zhǎo ({to look for}) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) . (Chuàngshìjì ([Genesis]) 24:3, 4) Tā (she) yě (also) zhīdào ([knew]) , Móxī (Mosaic) Lǜfǎ (Law) guī·dìng (rule · determined) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) bù·kě (not · can) ràng (let) ér·nǚ (sons · daughters) gēn (with) wài·zú·rén (outside · clans · people) tōng·hūn (connect · marriage) , miǎn·de ({to avoid} · getting) tāmen ([them]) shòu·dào ({to be receiving} · {arriving at}) yǐn·yòu (drawing · luring) , chóngbài ({to worship}) ǒu·xiàng (idols · images) . ( Shēnmìngjì ([Deuteronomy]) 7:3, 4)

⁷ Búguò ([however]) , Mǎlún (Mahlon) hé (and) Jīlián (Chilion) hái·shi (still · were) qǔ·le ({taking as wives} · [to completion]) Móyā (Moabite) nǚ·zǐ (female · persons) . Ná’émǐ (Naomi) kěnéng ([possibly]) dānxīn·guo ([was worried] · {[in the] past}) huò (or) shīwàng·guo ([was disappointed] · {[in the] past}) , dàn (but) tā (she) wú·yí (no · doubt) zhēn·xīn (true·-hearted) ‐ zhēn·yì (true · meaning) de (-ly) ài (loved liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) , jìn·lì ({expended to the limit} · power) shàn·dài (well · {to treat}) tāmen ([them]) , pàn·wàng ({longed for} · {hoped for}) tāmen ([them]) yǒu ({to have}) yì (one) tiān ([day]) yě (also) huì (would) chóngbài (worship) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . Kěyǐ ([can]) kěn·dìng (agree · {as certain}) de (’s) shì (is) , Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) dōu (both) hěn ({very much}) ài (loved Ná’émǐ (Naomi) . Yóu·yú (caused · by) pó ({husbands’ mother}) ‐ xí ({daughters-in-law}) guān·xi (involvements · relations) hěn (very) hǎo ({being good}) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason} tāmen ([they]) néng·gòu ({were able} · enough) yìng·fu ({to respond to} · {to hand sth. over to}) sàng·qīn (losing · relatives) zhī (’) tòng (pain) , zài (in) huàn·nàn (trouble · difficulty) zhōng (within) hùxiāng ({each other}) fú·chí ({to support with hand} · {to support}) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) , nián·qīng (years · light) de (’s) guǎ·fu (widowed · women) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) dōu (both) méi·yǒu (not · {had had}) háizi (children) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:5)

8. Qǐng (please) shuōshuo ({speak of}) Lùdé (Ruth) shì (was) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) rèn·shi (recognized · knew) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) .

⁸ Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) xìn·yǎng (beliefs · reverence) néng ({were able}) bāngzhù ({to help} tā (her) yìng·fu ({respond to} · {hand sth. over to}) bú·xìng (un·fortunate) de (’s) zāoyù (encounter) ma? Xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) bù·néng (not · {were able}) . Móyā·rén (Moabite · people) chóngbài (worshipped) hěn (very) duō (many) shén (gods) , zhǔ (master) shén (god) shì (was) Jīmǒ (Chemosh) . (Mínshùjì ([Numbers]) 21:29) Móyā·rén (Moabite · people) de (’s) chóngbài (worship) gēn (with) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) mín·zú (peoples’ · groups’) yí·yàng ({[was of] one} · [way]) , jì (both) xuè·xīng (bloody · {smelling fishy}) yòu (also) cán·bào (savage · violent) , lì·rú (example · like) tāmen ([they]) huì (would) bǎ (hold értóng (children) dāng ({to serve as}) jì·shēng (sacrificial · {domestic animals}) xiàn·shang ({to offer} · up) . Lùdé (Ruth) cóng (from) Mǎlún (Mahlon’s) huò (or) Ná’émǐ (Naomi’s) kǒu (mouth) zhōng (within) dé·zhī (got · {to know}) guān·yú (related · to) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) yíqiè ([everything]) , bìdìng (certainly) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) shí·fēn (ten · portions) jīng·yà (startled · surprised) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) rén’·ài ({was benevolent} · {was loving}) cí·bēi ({was kind} · {was compassionate}) , yòng (used) ài·xīn (loving · heart ér (and) fēi (not) kǒng·bù (fear · terror) de (’s) shǒuduàn ([means]) lái ({to come}) tǒng·zhì ({to command} · {to rule}) zǐ·mín (persons · people) , gēn (with) Móyā·rén (Moabite · people) chóngbài (worshipped) de (’s) shén (gods) tiān·chà (heaven · differed) ‐ dì·yuǎn (earth · {was far}) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Shēnmìngjì ([Deuteronomy]) 6:5.) Lùdé (Ruth) shī·qù (lost · away) zhàngfu (husband) hòu ({after ←}) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) gēn (with) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) gèng·wéi ({even more} · {had become}) qīnjìn (close) , tā (she) hěn ({very much}) xǐ·huan (liked · enjoyed) tīng ({listening to}) zhèi (this) wèi ([mw for person]) zhǎng·bèi (elder · {person of that kind}) tán·jí (discuss · reaching) quán·néng (all · able) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , tā (he) zuò·guo (did · {[in the] past}) shénme ([what]) wěidà (great) de (’s) shì (things) , yǐjí ([as well as]) tā (he) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiàng (towards) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) ài·xīn (loving · heart hé (and) lián·mǐn (sympathy · pity) .

9–11. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) yào (needed) miànduì ({to face}) shénme ([what]) jué·zé ({picking out} · selecting) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) tāmen ([them]) sān (three) rén (persons) de (’) bú·xìng (un·fortunate) zāoyù (encounters) kàn·chū (see · out) shénme ([what]) ?

⁹ Ná’émǐ (Naomi) hěn ({very much}) xiǎng (wanted) zhīdào ([to know]) gù·xiāng (old · {native place}) de (’s) xiāoxi ([news]) . Yì (one) tiān ([day]) , tā (she) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) cóng (from) shāng·lǚ (merchant · travelling) nàli ([there]) dé·zhī ({to get} · {to know}) , Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) jīhuang (famine) jié·shù ({had concluded} · {had gotten tied up}) le ([to completion]) , yú·shì ({from [that]} · was) juédìng (deciding) huí ({to circle back to}) gù·xiāng (old · {native place}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) qù ({to go}) . “Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) ” de (’s) yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “ shí·wù (food · matter) zhī (’s) jiā (household) ”. Xiàn·zài (present · at) Yǐsèliè (Israel) méng ({was receiving}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) juàn·gù ({having tender feeling for it} · {looking after it}) , Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) shì (was) ge ([mw]) míng·fù·qí·shí (name · fitting · its · reality) de (’s) “ shí·wù (food · matter) zhī (’s) jiā (household) ” le ([indicates a change]) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:6)

¹⁰ Ná’émǐ (Naomi) juédìng ({had decided}) huí·xiāng ({to circle back to} · {native place}) , Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) dǎ·suan (made · plans) ne? ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:7) Tāmen ([they]) céng (had) gēn (with) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) gòng (shared) huàn·nàn (trouble · difficulty) , bǐcǐ ([each other]) jiān (among) de (’s) gǎn·qíng (feelings · emotions) bǐ ({compared to}) yǐ·qián (at · before) gèng (more) shēn·hòu ({were deep} · {were thick}) . Lùdé (Ruth) yóu·qí (especially · her) shēn·shòu (deeply · received) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) rén·cí (benevolence · kindness) hé (and) tā (she) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) jiān·qiáng (firm · strong) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) suǒ ([them] xīyǐn (attracting) . Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , tāmen ([they]) juédìng (decided) gēnsuí ({to follow}) pópo ({mother-in-law}) . Zhè·yàng (this · [way]) , sān ({[the] three}) ge ([mw]) guǎ·fu (widowed · women) jiù (then) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) shàng·lù ({went upon} · road) , qián·wǎng (forward · {to go towards}) Yóudà (Judah) .

¹¹ Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) shǐ (causes) wǒmen ([us]) kàn·chū ({to see} · out) , bú·lùn (not · discussing) shì (are) chéng·shí (honest · true) shàn·liáng (kind · good) de (’s) rén (people) hái·shi ([or] · are) huài·rén (bad · people) , dōu (all) kě·néng (can · {be able}) zāoyù ({to encounter}) bú·xìng (not · {good fortune}) , sǔnshī (losing) qián·cái (money · wealth) shèn·zhì (extrememely · {to the point of}) sàng·mìng (losing · life) . (Chuándàoshū ([Ecclesiastes]) 9:2, 11) Wǒmen ([we]) yě (also) kàn·chū (see · out) , zài (in) Shàngdì ([God]) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) zhōng (among) , yǒu (have) bù·shǎo (not · few) rén (persons) xiàng (like) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) nà·yàng (that · [way]) yǐ (using) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) wéi (as) bì·hù·suǒ (sheltering · protecting · place) . Wǒmen ([we]) zāoyù (encounter) bú·xìng (not · {good fortune}) shí (times) , xiàng ({to turn towards}) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) rén (persons) xúnqiú ({to seek}) ān·wèi (calming · comforting shì (is) míng·zhì (understanding · wise) de (’s) . (Zhēnyán ([Proverbs]) 17:17)

Xiǎn·chū (showing · out) Zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) Ài (love) ˄

12, 13. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) xīwàng (hoped) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) huí ({would circle back to}) Móyā (Moab) qù ({to go}) , ér (and) bú (not) shì ({would be}) péibàn (accompanying) zìjǐ (self) wǎng ({to go towards}) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) É’ěrbā (Orpah) qǐ·chū (rising · beginning) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · response) ?

¹² Sān (three) ge ([mw]) guǎ·fu (widowed · women) zǒu·le ({had walk}·ed) yí (one) duàn ({section of}) lù (road) hòu ({after ←}) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) dānxīn ([to worry about]) lìng (another) yí (one) ge ([mw]) wèntí ([question]) : Liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) lí·kāi (left · [clear of]) Móyā (Moab) gēn (with) zìjǐ (self) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) huí·xiāng ({to circle back to} · {native place}) , dào·le ({arrived at} · [to completion]) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) , zìjǐ (self) yòu (however) néng (could) wèi (for) tāmen ([them]) zuò (do) xiē (some) shénme ([what]) ne? Tā (she) xiǎng·dào (thought · {arriving at}) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) hái (still) nà·me (that · [so]) nián·qīng (years · light) , yòu (also) nà·me (that · [so]) ài ({had loved} tā (her) hé (and) tā de ([her]) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) érzi (sons) , jiù (then) bù (not) xiǎng ({did want}) tuō·lěi ({to drag} · {to pile up on}) tāmen ([them]) .

¹³ Ná’émǐ (Naomi) yú·shì ({from [that]} · was) duì (to) tāmen ([them]) shuō (saying) : “Nǐ·men (you · [pl]) gè·zì (each · self) huí ({circle back to}) niáng·jia ({[married woman’s] mother’s} · home) qù ({to go}) ba ([indicates a mild command] . Nǐ·men (you · [pl]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zhōngzhēn (loyal) de (-ly) ài ({have loved} wǒ (me) hé (and) yǐ (already) sǐ ({have died}) de (’s) rén (persons) , yuàn (wish) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yě (also) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zhōngzhēn (loyal) de (-ly) ài (loves nǐ·men (you · [pl]) .” Tā (she) hái (also) shuō (said) , xīwàng (hoped) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ēn·dài (kindly · {would deal with}) tāmen ([them]) , shǐ ({would cause}) tāmen ([them]) zài (again) zhǎo·dào ({to look for [and]} · {arrive at}) zhàngfu (husbands) , kāi·shǐ ({to open} · {to begin}) xīn (new) shēng·huó (life · living) . Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , “Ná’émǐ (Naomi) jiù (then) qīnwěn (kissed) tāmen ([them]) , tāmen ([they]) bù·jīn (not · {being able to restrain selves}) fàng·shēng ({let go} · voices) tòng·kū (painfully · {to weep}) ”. Ná’émǐ (Naomi’s) xīn·dì (heart · soil) shàn·liáng ({being kind} · {being good}) , yòu (also) zhè·me (this · [so]) wèi (for) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) zhuó·xiǎng (applying · thinking) , nán·guài (difficult · {to blame}) tāmen ([they]) dōu (both) shēn (deeply) ài (loved tā (her) , zàisān ([again and again]) duì (to) tā (her) shuō (said) : “Bù (no) , wǒmen ([we]) yào (want) gēn (with) nǐ (you) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) huí·dào ({to circle back} · to) nǐ (your) běn·zú (original · clan) nàli ([there]) qù ({to go}) .” ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:8–10)

14, 15. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) É’ěrbā (Orpah) huí ({did circle back to}) Móyā (Moab) qù ({to go}) le ([to completion]) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) quàn (urged) Lùdé (Ruth) lí·qù ({to leave} · {to go}) ?

¹⁴ Kěshì ([however]) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) dǎ·dìng (forging · {until set}) zhǔ·yi (master · idea) . Tā (she) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (-ly) zhǐ·chū (pointed · out) , zìjǐ (self) dào·le ({arrived at} · [to completion]) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) yě (even) bù·néng (not · {would be able}) wèi (for) liǎng (two) ge ([mw]) xí·fù (daughters-in-law · women) zuò ({to do}) xiē ({a little}) shénme ([anything]) , yīn·wei (because · for) tā (she) bù (not) kě·néng (could · {be able}) zài (again) yǒu ({to have}) zhàngfu (husband) zhàogu ({looking after}) , yě (also) bù (not) kě·néng (could · {be able}) zài (again) shēng ({to give birth to}) érzi (sons) qǔ ({to take as wives}) tāmen ([them]) liǎ ({two [mw]}) . Tā (she) shuō (said) yì (once) xiǎng·dào ({would think} · {arriving at}) zìjǐ (self) méi·yǒu (not · {did have}) néng·lì (ability · power) zhàogu ({to look after}) tāmen ([them]) liǎ ({two [mw]}) , jiù (then) huì (would) bēi·cóng·zhōng·lái ({be sad} · from · {[its] midst} · coming) . É’ěrbā (Orpah) duì (towards) zhèi (this) fān ({occurrence of}) huà (speech) hěn (very) yǒu (had) tóng·gǎn (same · feeling) . Tā (she) zài (at) Móyā (Moab) yǒu (had) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) jiā (home) , nàli ([there]) yǒu (had) māma (mama) , hái·yǒu (also · had) qí·tā (her · besides’) jiā·rén (family · people) , tāmen ([they]) dōu (all) zài (were) děng·zhe (await·ing) zìjǐ (self) huí·jiā ({to circle back to} · home) . Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) huí ({circling back to}) Móyā (Moab) qù ({to go}) hái·shi (still · was) bǐjiào (comparatively) shí·jì ([in] realistic · boundaries) de (’s) . É’ěrbā (Orpah) yú·shì ({from [that]} · was) wěn·bié (kissing · leaving) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , dài·zhe (take · -ing) yīyī ({depending on}) ‐ bù·shě (not · abandoning) de (’s) xīn·qíng (heart · feelings) huí·qu ({to circle back} · {to go}) le ([to completion]) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:11–14)

¹⁵ Lùdé (Ruth) yòu (moreover) zěn·me·yàng ([was] how · [so] · [way]) ne? Tā de ([her]) chǔ·jìng ({situated in} · situation) gēn (with) É’ěrbā (Orpah’s) chà·bu·duō ({differed by} · not · much) , dàn (but) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures) shuō (say) : “Lùdé (Ruth) què (however) jǐnjǐn (tightly) gēnsuí·zhe ({was follow-} · -ing) pópo ({mother-in-law}) .” Ná’émǐ (Naomi) jìxù (continued) shàng·lù ({to go upon} · road) , tū·rán (sudden·ly) fā·xiàn (generated · {revealing of}) Lùdé (Ruth) hái (still) jìngqiāoqiāo (quiet) de (-ly) gēn (following) zài (at) hòu·mian (behind’s · face) , jiù (then) shuō (said) : “Kàn (look) , nǐ de ([your]) guǎ·sǎo (widowed · sister-in-law) yǐ·jing (already · {has gone through}) huí·dào ({circling back} · to) tā (her) běn·zú (original · clan) nàli ([there]) , bài ({to do obeisance to} tā de ([her]) shén (gods) qù (went) le ([to completion]) , nǐ (you) yě (also) gēnsuí (follow) nǐ de ([your]) guǎ·sǎo (widowed · sister-in-law) huí·qu ({to circle back} · {to go}) ba ([indicates a mild command] .” ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:15) Nǐ (you) liú·yì·dào (leaving · {attention [on]} · {arrived at}) ma, Ná’émǐ (Naomi) bù·guāng (not · only) shì (was) shuō (saying) É’ěrbā (Orpah) huí·dào ({had circled back} · to) tā (her) běn·zú (original · clan) nàli ([there]) , hái (also) shuō (said) tā (she) “ bài ({to do obeisance to} tā de ([her]) shén (gods) qù (went) le ([to completion]) ”, kě·jiàn (can · {be seen}) É’ěrbā (Orpah) gānyuàn (willingly) shì·fèng (served · {attended to}) Jīmǒ (Chemosh) hé (and) qí·tā (him · besides’) jiǎ·shén (false · gods) . Lùdé (Ruth) yòu (moreover) shì (was) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiǎng (thinking) de (’s) ne?

16–18. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Lùdé (Ruth) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ? ( Qǐng (please) kàn (see) guān·yú (related · to) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) tú·piàn (pictures · [mw]) .)

¹⁶ Zài (at) zhè (this) miǎowúrénjì (insignificant · without · human · traces) de (’) lù (road) shang (upon) , Lùdé (Ruth) kàn·zhe ({look at} · -ing) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , xīn·zhōng (heart · within) chōng·mǎn ({was filled} · {full with}) duì (towards) pópo ({mother-in-law}) de (’s) ài (love , tā (she) yě (also) shēn (deeply) ài (loved Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) . Tā (she) hěn (very) qīngchu ({was clear about}) zìjǐ (self) gāi (should) zuò·chū (make · out) shénme ([what]) jué·zé ({picking out} · selecting) , yú·shì ({from [that]} · was) duì (to) pópo ({mother-in-law}) shuō (saying) : “ Búyào ([must not]) jiào (ask) wǒ (me) shě·qì ({to give up} · {to abandon}) nǐ (you) , lí·kāi ({to leave} · [clear of]) nǐ (you) . Nǐ (you) dào (to) nǎli ([where]) qù (go) , wǒ (I) yě (also) yào (must) dào (to) nǎli ([where]) qù (go) ; nǐ (you) zài (at) nǎli ([where]) guò·yè (pass · night) , wǒ (I) yě (also) yào (must) zài (at) nǎli ([where]) guò·yè (pass · night) . Nǐ de ([your]) mín·zú (people · group) jiù·shì (exactly · {will be}) wǒ de ([my]) mín·zú (people · group) , nǐ de ([your]) Shàngdì ([God]) jiù·shì (exactly · {will be}) wǒ de ([my]) Shàngdì ([God]) . Nǐ (you) sǐ (die) zài (at) nǎli ([where]) , wǒ (I) yě (also) yào (must) sǐ (die) zài (at) nǎli ([where]) , zàng ({be buried}) zài (at) nǎli ([where]) . Chúfēi ([unless]) sǐwáng (death) shǐ (causes) nǐ (you) wǒ (me) fēn·lí ({to separate} · {to part}) , bù·rán (not · -ly) , yuàn (wish) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) chǔ·zhì ({to deal with} · {to place}) wǒ (me) , jiā·bèi ({to add} · {times as much}) chéngfá ({to punish}) wǒ (me) .” ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:16, 17)

¹⁷ Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) huà (words) lìng (make) rén (people) duō·me (much · [so]) gǎn·dòng (feelings · moved) , sān·qiān (three · thousand) duō ({more than ←}) nián (years) hòu ({after ←}) , rén·men (people · [pl]) réng·rán (still · -ly) zài (are) chuán·sòng ({passing on} · extolling) zhèi (this) fān ({occurrence of}) huà (speech) . Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) huà (words) xiǎn·shì (evidently · show) tā (she) yǒu (had) yì (one) zhǒng ({type of}) hěn (very) bǎo·guì (precious · valuable) de (’s) tè·zhì (special · quality) , jiù·shì (exactly · was) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love . Lùdé (Ruth) nà·me (that · [so]) ài (loved Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , duì (towards) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) nà·me (that · [so]) zhōngzhēn ({was loyal}) , wú·lùn (no · [matter]) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) dào (to) nǎli ([where]) qù (went) , tā (she) dōu (even) jué·xīn ({had determined} · heart) gēnsuí ({to follow}) , bù·lí (not · leaving) ‐ bú·qì (not · abandoning) . Zhǐ·yǒu (only · had) sǐwáng (death) cái ({only that}) néng (could) shǐ (cause) tā (her) gēn (with) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) fēn·lí ({to separate} · {to part}) . Tā (she) jué·xīn ({had determined} · heart) yǐ ({to consider}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) mín·zú (people · group) wéi (as) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) mín·zú (people · group) , gānyuàn (willingly) fàng·qì ({had released} · {had abandoned}) Móyā (Moab) de (’s) yíqiè ([everything]) , shèn·zhì (extrememely · {to the point of}) fàng·qì ({had released} · {had abandoned}) yǐ·wǎng (in · {[the] past}) chóngbài ({had worshipped}) de (’s) shén (gods) . Gēn (with) É’ěrbā (Orpah) bù (not) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way]) , Lùdé (Ruth) zhōng·xīn ({[with] inner feelings} · heart) de (-ly) shuō (said) , tā (she) yào (wanted) yǐ ({to take}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) wéi (as) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) .*

¹⁸ Zhè ([at] this) shí (time) zhǐ (only) shèng·xia (remained · down) Lùdé (Ruth) hé (and) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) liǎng (two) rén (persons) zǒu (walking) zài (at) lù (road) shang (upon) , xiàng (towards) yáo·yuǎn (distant · far) de (’s) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) qián·jìn (forward · advancing) . Jù ({according to}) gū·jì (estimate · calculation) , zhèi (this) duàn ({section of}) lù (road) dà·gài (largely · approximately) xūyào (required) zǒu·shang (walking · upon) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xīngqī ([week]) . Suī·rán (although · -ly) lù·tú (road · way) yáo·yuǎn ({was distant} · {was far}) , dàn (but) tāmen ([they]) xiāng·yī ({each other} · {depended on}) ‐ xiāng·bàn ({each other} · accompanied) , hùxiāng ({each other}) ān·wèi (calmed · comforted , nèi·xīn (inner · hearts) de (’) bēi·shāng (sadness · hurt) yě (also) jiù (then) jiǎn·qīng ({were reduced} · {to be light}) le ([indicates a change]) .

19. Wǒmen ([we]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) Lùdé (Ruth) , jiù (then) huì (will) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·dài (treat · {deal with}) jiā·rén (family · people) , péngyou (friends) hé (and) dì·xiong ({younger brothers} · {elder brothers}) zǐ·mèi ({elder sisters} · {younger sisters}) ?

¹⁹ Jīn·tiān (present · [day]) , shì·shàng (world · upon) yě (also) yǒu (has) hěn (very) duō (many) lìng (make) rén (people) bēi·shāng (sad · hurt) de (’s) shì (things) . Shèngjīng ([the Bible]) jiāng (takes) wǒmen ([we]) shēnghuó ({are living}) de (’s) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shí·dài (time · era) chēng·wéi ({to be called} · as) “ nán·yǐ (difficult · to) yìng·fu ({respond to} · {hand sth. over to}) de (’s) fēi·cháng (not · usual) shí·qī (time · period) ”. Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , jiù·suàn (even · figuring) yù·dào (meet · {arrive at}) gè·zhǒng (each · {kind of}) bú·xìng (un·fortunate) de (’s) shì (thing) ér (thus) gǎn·dào (feel · {arriving at}) bēi·shāng (sadness · hurt) tòng·kǔ (pain · bitterness) , wǒmen ([we]) yě (also) bú·huì (not · will) jué·de (feel · {getting to be}) yì·wài (expectation · outside) . (Tímótài Hòushū ([2 Timothy]) 3:1) Zài (at) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({type of}) chǔ·jìng ({situated in} · situation) xia (under) , wǒmen ([we]) xiàng (like) Lùdé (Ruth) nà·yàng (that · [way]) xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love jiù (then) gèng·jiā (more · increasedly) zhòng·yào ({is weighty} · {is needed}) le ([indicates a change]) . Zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love shì (is) yì (one) zhǒng ({type of}) duì (towards) rén (person) bù·lí (not · {will leave}) ‐ bú·qì (not · {will abandon}) de (’s) ài (love , néng (can) chǎn·shēng (produce · {give birth to}) yì (one) gǔ ([mw]) qiáng·dà (strong · great) de (’s) lì·liang (strength · quantity) , shǐ (causing) rén (people) jí·shǐ ({even though} · if) zài (in) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yuèláiyuè ([more and more]) hēi’·àn (black · dark) de (’s) shì·jiè (world · extent) li (inside) , yě (also) néng ({to be able}) nǔ·lì ({to exert} · strength) xíng·shàn ({to do} · good) . Wú·lùn (no · [matter]) shì (are) wǒmen de ([our]) pèi’·ǒu ({matched in marriage} · mate) , jiā·rén (family · persons) , péngyou (friends) , hái·shi ([or] · are) dì·xiong ({younger brothers} · {elder brothers}) zǐ·mèi ({elder sisters} · {younger sisters}) , wǒmen ([we]) dōu (even) yào (must) xiàng (towards) tāmen ([them]) xiǎn·chū (show · out) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yuēhàn Yīshū ([1 John]) 4:7, 8, 20.) Wǒmen ([we]) nǔ·lì (exert · strength) péiyǎng ({to cultivate}) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) ài (love , jiù·shì (exactly · {will be}) xué·xí (learning · {getting practised with}) Lùdé (Ruth) de (’s) jié·chū (outstanding · out) bǎngyàng ([example] le ([indicates a change]) .

Huí·dào ({circled back} · to) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) ˄

20–22. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Zài (in) Móyā (Moab) de (’s) jīng·lì ({gone through} · experience) duì (towards) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) yǐngxiǎng ([influence]) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) duì (towards) zìjǐ (self) suǒ ({that which [she]} shòu ({had received}) de (’s) kǔ (bitterness) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) cuò·wù (wrong · mistaken) de (’s) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) Yǎgè·shū (James · book) 1:13.)

²⁰ Dāngrán ([of course]) , rén (person) kěyǐ ([can]) shuō (say) zìjǐ (self) yǒu (has) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love , dàn (but) wéi·dú (only · solely) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) cái ({only then}) néng (can) zhèng·míng (prove · clearly) zhè (this) shì (is) zhēn (real) de (’s) . Zhèi·ge ([at] this · [mw]) shíhou (time) , Lùdé (Ruth) yǒu (had) jīhuì (opportunity) yǐ ({to use}) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) zhèng·míng ({to prove} · clearly) tā (she) duì (towards) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) , yǐjí ([as well as]) duì (towards) tā (she) suǒ ({he whom [she]} xuǎnzé (chose) yào ({to want}) shì·fèng ({to serve} · {to attend to}) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǒu (had) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love .

²¹ Ná’émǐ (Naomi) hé (and) Lùdé (Ruth) zhōng·yú (finally · {[were] at}) dào·le ({arriving at} · [to completion]) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) . Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) shì (is) Yēlùsālěng (Jerusalem) nán·miàn (south · side) dà·yuē (largely · approximately) 10 gōnglǐ ([kilometres]) (6 yīnglǐ ([miles]) ) de (’) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xiǎo·chéng (small · town) . Kàn·lái ({looking at} · coming) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi’s) yì (one) jiā (family) yǐ·qián (at · before) zài (in) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) hěn (very) yǒu (had) dìwèi ([status]) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason} dāng (at) tā (she) huí·lai ({circled back} · {to come}) shí (time) , xiāoxi ([news]) chuán·biàn·le (spread · everywhere · -ed) quán ({[in] whole}) chéng (town) , dàjiā ([everyone]) dōu (all) yìlùn (discussed) ‐ fēnfēn (profusely) . Chéng (town) li (inside) de (’s) fùnǚ (women) jīng·yà (startled · surprised) de (-ly) kàn·zhe ({were look at} · -ing) tā (her) , shuō (saying) : “Shì (is) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) ma?” Xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) , zài (in) Móyā (Moab) jì·jū ({was placed [away from home]} · {was residing}) de (’s) rì·zi (days · [suf]) , Ná’émǐ (Naomi) gǎibiàn·le (change- · -ed) bù·shǎo (not · little) . Jiā·xiāng (family · {native place}) de (’s) rén (people) bìdìng (certainly) cóng (from) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) wài·mào (outside · appearance) kàn·chū (saw · out) , zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) nián (years) lái ([over the past ←]) tā (she) jīng·lì·le ({went through} · experienced · [to completion]) hěn (very) duō (much) jiān·xīn (difficult · suffering) hé (and) bēi·tòng (sadness · pain) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:19)

²² Ná’émǐ (Naomi) gàosu (told) tā (she) yǐ·wǎng (in · {[the] past}) rèn·shi (recognized · knew) de (’s) qīnqi (relatives) hé (and) línjū ([neighbours]) , yóu·yú (caused · by) zìjǐ (self) shòu·le ({having receive-} · -ed) hěn (very) duō (much) kǔ (bitterness) , lián (even) míng·zi (name · word) yě (also) gāi (should) gǎi·diào ({be changed} · away) , bú·zài (not · further) jiào ({to be called}) “Ná’émǐ (Naomi) ” ( yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “Wǒ de ([my]) Xǐlè (joy) ”), yào (must) jiào ({be called}) “Mǎlā (Mara) ” ( yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “ Kǔ (bitter) ”). Duō (much) kě·lián (can · pity) de (’s) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) ya! Tā (she) xiàng (like) gǔ·dài (ancient · era) de (’s) Yuēbó (Job) yí·yàng ({[was of] one} · [way]) , yǐ·wéi (took · as) shì (was) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) Shàngdì ([God]) shǐ ([who] {had caused}) tā (her) shòu·kǔ ({to receive} · bitterness) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:20, 21; Yuēbó·jì (Job · record) 2:10; 13:24–26)

23. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Lùdé (Ruth) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) sīliang ({to consider}) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Móxī (Mosaic) Lǜfǎ (Law) guī·dìng (rule · determined) , yào (must) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·dài (treat · {deal with}) qióng·rén (poor · people) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

²³ Ná’émǐ (Naomi) hé (and) Lùdé (Ruth) zài (in) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) ān·dùn ({were suitably placed} · {were settled} xia·lai (down · {to come}) yǐ·hòu (at · afterwards) , Lùdé (Ruth) jiù (then) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) sīliang (considering) : Zěn·yàng (what · [way]) cái ({only then}) néng (could) yǎng·huo (support · {to live}) zìjǐ (self) hé (and) pópo ({mother-in-law}) ne? Zuì·hǎo (most · good) de (’s) fāng·fǎ (direction · method) shì (was) shénme ([what]) ? Tā (she) zhīdào ([knew]) , zài (in) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) gěi ({gave to}) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) zhōng (within) yǒu (had) ge ([mw]) guī·dìng (rule · determination) , jiù·shì (exactly · was) yào (must) rén·cí (benevolent · kind) de (-ly) duì·dài (treat · {deal with}) qióng·rén (poor · people) . Qióng·rén (poor · people) kěyǐ ([could]) zài (at) shōu·gē (harvesting · cutting) de (’s) shíhou (time) gēnsuí (follow) shōu·gē (harvesting · cutting) de (’s) rén (persons) , shí·qǔ ({picking up} · taking) tāmen ([they]) yí·xia ({leave behind} · down) de (’s) gǔ·wù (grain · matter) , yǐjí ([as well as]) nèi·xiē (that · {amount of}) zhǎng (grew) zài (at) tián (fields’) biān (edges) huò (or) nóng·tián (farming · fields’) jiǎo·luò (corner · [locations]) de (’) zhuāng·jia (estate · crops) .* ( Lìwèijì ([Leviticus]) 19:9, 10; Shēnmìngjì ([Deuteronomy]) 24:19–21)

24, 25. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Lùdé (Ruth) pèng·qiǎo ({bumping into} · opportuneness) lái·dào (came · {to arrive at}) Bō’āsī (Boaz) de (’s) tián (fields) li (inside) , tā (she) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò (did) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Qǐng (please) shuōshuo ({speak of}) zài (in) tián (fields) li (inside) shí ({picking up}) yí ({left behind}) suì ({ears of grain}) de (’s) qíng·xing (situation · form) .

²⁴ Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) zhèng·zhí (exactly · {happened to be}) shōu·gē (harvesting · cutting) dàmài ([barley]) de (’s) shí·jié (time · section) , hěn (very) kě·néng (could · {be able to be}) xiāng·dāng (mutually · equalling) yú (to) xiàn·dài (current · era) lì·fǎ (calendar · method) de (’s) 4 yuè (month) zuǒyòu ([approximately]) . Lùdé (Ruth) dào (to) tián (fields) li (inside) qù (went) , kànkan ({to see}) shéi (who) kěn ({was willing}) ràng ({to let}) tā (her) shí·qǔ ({pick up} · take) yí·xia ({left behind} · down) de (’s) zhuāng·jia (estate · crops) . Tā (she) pèng·qiǎo ({bumping into} · opportuneness) lái·dào (came · {to arrive at}) Bō’āsī (Boaz) de (’s) tián (fields) li (inside) . Bō’āsī (Boaz) shì (was) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) de (’s) zhàngfu (husband) Yǐlìmǐlè (Elimelech) de (’s) qīn·shǔ (relative · {family member}) , yě (also) shì (was) ge ([mw]) yǒu·qián (having · money) de (’s) dì·zhǔ (land·owner) . Gēn·jù (roots · {according to}) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) , Lùdé (Ruth) yǒu (had) quán ({the right}) shí·qǔ ({to pick up} · {to take}) bié·ren (other · people) yí·xia ({left behind} · down) de (’s) zhuāng·jia (estate · crops) , dàn (but) tā (she) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · had) jué·de (felt · getting) zhè (this) shì (was) lǐ·suǒ·dāng·rán ({[by] reason} · {that which} · should · {be so}) de (’s) , fǎn’·ér (instead · thus) xiān (first) wènwen (asked) jiān·dū (supervising · directing) shōu·gē (harvesting · cutting) de (’s) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · person) , dé·dào (got · {arriving at}) tóng·yì (same · thinking) hòu ({after ←}) cái ({only then}) mǎshàng ([immediately]) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 1:22–2:3, 7)

²⁵ Lùdé (Ruth) gēn (followed) zài (at) shōu·gē (harvesting · cutting) gōng·rén (work · people) hòu·mian (behind’s · face) , kàn·zhe ({look at} · -ing) gōng·rén (work · people) yòng (using) lián·dāo (sickle · knives) gē·xia ({to cut} · down) dàmài ([barley]) , yì (once) yǒu (had) yí·xia ({left behind} · down) huò (or) diào·xia (dropped · down) de (’s) mài·suì ({wheat, etc.} · {ears of grain}) , tā (she) jiù (then) wān·yāo (bent · {lower back}) shí ({to pick up}) qi·lai (up · {to come}) . Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , tā (she) bǎ (held shōu·jí (collected · gathered) de (’s) mài·suì ({wheat, etc.} · {ears of grain}) kǔn ({to be bundled}) qi·lai (up · {to come}) , ná (took) dào (to) tuō·gǔ·cháng ({casting off} · grain · place) qù ({to go}) tuō·lì ({to cast off} · grains) . Zhè (this) gōng·zuò (work · doing) hào·shí (consumed · time) ‐ fèi·lì (expended · strength) , Lùdé (Ruth) zhěng·gè (entire · [mw]) zǎo·shang (morning · {rising [of the sun in the sky]}) máng ({would be busy}) ge ([mw]) bù·tíng (not · stopping) , shēntǐ (body) yuèláiyuè ([more and more]) pí·lèi ({would be weary} · {would be tired}) , kěshì ([however]) tā (she) jìxù ({would continue}) gōng·zuò (work · doing) , zhǐ (only) ǒu’·ěr (occasional·ly) tíng (stopping) xia·lai (down · {to come}) cāca ({to wipe}) é (forehead) shang (upon) de (’s) hàn (sweat) , zhí·dào (straight · {up until}) zhōng·wǔ (centre · noon) cái ({only then}) qù ({would go to}) “ fáng·zi (house · [suf]) li (inside) ” jiǎndān (simple) de (-ly) chī ({to eat}) diǎnr ({a bit of}) dōngxi ([something]) . Nà (that) “ fáng·zi (house · [suf]) ” kěnéng ([probably]) zhǐ·shì (only · was) ge ([mw]) péng·zi (shed · [suf]) , ràng ({to let}) gōng·rén (work · people) zhē·yīn ({cover [in]} · shade) hé (and) xiūxi (rest) .

26, 27. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Bō’āsī (Boaz) shì (was) ge ([mw]) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) rén (person) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Tā (he) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·dài (treated · {dealt with}) Lùdé (Ruth) ?

²⁶ Lùdé (Ruth) dà·gài (largely · approximately) méi (not) xiǎng·guo ({had thought} · {[in the] past}) huì (would) yǒu (have) rén (person) liú·yì (leaving · {attention [on]}) tā (her) , yě (also) bù (not) xiǎng ({did want}) bèi ([to get]) rén (person) liú·yì (leaving · attention) . Qí·shí (its · actuality) Bō’āsī (Boaz) liú·yì (leaving · {attention [on]}) dào ({arrived at}) tā (her) le ([to completion]) , hái (also) wèn (asked) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) nián·qīng (years · light) de (’s) jiān·gōng (supervising · work [person]) tā (she) shì (was) shéi (whom) . Bō’āsī (Boaz) jìng·wèi (respected · feared) Shàngdì ([God]) , měi·féng ({each [time]} · met) pèng·jian ({bumping into} · seeing) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) gōng·rén (work · people) , dōu (even) huì (would) xiàng (to) tāmen ([them]) dǎ ({strike up}) zhāohu ([greeting]) , shuō (saying) : “Yuàn (wish) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǔ (with) nǐ·men (you · [pl]) tóng·zài (together · {to be present}) ”, lián (even) nèi·xiē (that · {number of}) sǎn·gōng ({scattered [shifts]} · workers) hé (and) wài·zú (outside · clans) gōng·rén (work · people) yě (also) bú·huì (not · would) hū·lüè (neglect · omit) . Gōng·rén (work · people) yě (also) yǐ (used) tóng·yàng (same · kind) de (’s) huà (words) huí·yìng ({to return} · response [to]) tā (him) . Bō’āsī (Boaz) zhèi (this) wèi ([mw for person]) jìng’·ài (respected · loved) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) zhǎng·bèi (elder · {person of that kind}) hěn (very) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) Lùdé (Ruth) , jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) nǚ’·ér (female · child) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way]) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 2:4–7)

²⁷ Bō’āsī (Boaz) qīn·qiè (intimate · close) de (-ly) chēng (called) Lùdé (Ruth) wéi (as) “ nǚ’·ér (female · child) ”. Tā (he) yào (wanted) Lùdé (Ruth) jìxù ({to continue}) zài (in) tā de ([his]) tián (fields) li (inside) shí ({to pick up}) mài·suì ({wheat, etc.} · {ears of grain}) , bìng (simultaneously) zhǔ·fu (advised · instructed) Lùdé (Ruth) jǐnjǐn (tightly) gēnsuí ({to follow}) tā de ([his]) shì·nǚ (serving · girls) , miǎn·de ({to avoid} · getting) bèi (by) bié·de (other · ’s) gōng·rén (work · people) qī·fu (bullied · {gone against}) . Tā (he) hái (also) què·bǎo (reliably · guaranteed) Lùdé (Ruth) zài (at) zhōng·wǔ (centre · noon) yǒu (had) dōngxi ([things]) chī ({to eat}) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 2:8, 9, 14.) Gèng (more) zhòng·yào (weighty · needed) de (’s) shì (is) , tā (he) yě (also) zhuā·zhù (seized · tightly) jīhuì (opportunities) qù ({to go}) chēng·zàn ({to commend} · {to praise}) hé (and) gǔ·lì ({to inspire} · {to encourage}) Lùdé (Ruth) . Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) ne?

28, 29. (Jiǎ) ((a)) Lùdé (Ruth) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) yàng (kind) de (’s) míng·shēng (name · reputation) ? (Yǐ) ((b)) Nǐ (you) kěyǐ ([can]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiàng (like) Lùdé (Ruth) nà·yàng (that · [way]) tóu·kào ({throw in with} · {lean on}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) ?

²⁸ Lùdé (Ruth) wèn (asked) Bō’āsī (Boaz) , tā (she) zhǐ·bu·guò (only · not · passing) shì (was) ge ([mw]) wài·zú (outside · clans) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) , jiū·jìng (investigated · {to the finish}) zìjǐ (self) zuò·guo ({had done} · {[in the] past}) shénme ([what]) shì (thing) , jìng·rán (unexpected·ly) méng ({to receive}) tā (him) ēn·dài (kindly · {dealing with}) ne. Bō’āsī (Boaz) jiù (then) shuō (said) , guān·yú (related · to) Lùdé (Ruth) wèi (for) pópo ({mother-in-law}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) suǒ ({that which [she]} zuò ({had done}) de (’s) yíqiè ([everything]) , tā (he) dōu (all) tīng·shuō ({had heard} · {being said}) guo ({[in the] past}) le ([to completion]) . Hěn (very) kěnéng ([probably]) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) céng (had) zài (at) Bólìhéng (Bethlehem) de (’s) fùnǚ (women’s) miàn·qián (faces · before) chēng·zàn (commended · praised) Lùdé (Ruth) , ér (thus) tā de ([her]) huà (words) chuán·dào·le ({had spread} · to · -ed) Bō’āsī (Boaz’s) ěr (ears) zhōng (within) . Bō’āsī (Boaz) yě (also) zhīdào ([knew]) Lùdé (Ruth) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) guī·xìn ({turning over to} · {believing in}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , tā (he) duì (to) Lùdé (Ruth) shuō (said) : “Yuàn (wish) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zhào ({according to}) nǐ (you) suǒ ({that which [you]} zuò (do) de (’s) jiǎngshǎng (rewards) nǐ (you) . Nǐ (you) lái ({have come}) tóu·kào ({to throw in with} · {to lean on}) Yǐsèliè (Israel) de (’s) Shàngdì ([God]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , liú ({to remain}) zài (at) tā de ([his]) chìbǎng (wings) dǐ·xia (underside · below) , yuàn (wish) tā (he) gěi ({gives to}) nǐ (you) shí·zú ({ten [times]} · ample) de (’s) shǎng·cì (reward · granted) .” ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 2:12)

²⁹ Lùdé (Ruth) bìdìng (certainly) cóng (from) zhèi (this) fān ({occurrence of}) huà (speech) dé·dào (got · {arriving at}) hěn (very) dà (great) de (’s) gǔ·lì (inspiration · encouragement) ! Lùdé (Ruth) què·shí (certainly · solidly) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) xuǎnzé·le (choosing · [to completion]) tóu·kào ({to throw in with} · {to lean on}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) Shàngdì ([God]) , liú ({to remain}) zài (at) tā de ([his]) chìbǎng (wings) xià (under) , jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) chú·niǎo (young · bird) jǐnjǐn (tightly) yī·wēi·zhe ({depend on} · {snuggle up to} · -ing) mǔ·niǎo (mother · bird) , hǎo (well) dé·dào ({to get} · {arriving at}) bǎohù (protection) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way]) . Lùdé (Ruth) gǎn·xiè ({[expressed] feeling} · {thankful [for]}) Bō’āsī (Boaz) de (’s) ān·wèi (calming · comforting hé (and) gǔ·lì (inspiring · encouraging) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) jìxù (continued) gōng·zuò (work · doing) , zhí·dào (straight · {up until}) rì·luò (sun·set) . ( Lùdé·jì (Ruth · record) 2:13, 17)

30, 31. Guān·yú (related · to) gōng·zuò (work · doing) tàidu (attitude) , gǎn’·ēn ({feeling [grateful for]} · kindness) zhī (’) xīn (heart) hé (and) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love , wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) Lùdé (Ruth) shēn·shang ([self] · upon) kěyǐ ([can]) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ?

³⁰ Lùdé (Ruth) yǐ (used) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) , shì (is) wǒmen de ([our]) hǎo (good) bǎngyàng ([example] . Zài (at) jīngjì ([financial condition]) shang (upon) yù·dào (meet · {arrive at}) kùn·nan (surrounding · difficulties) shí (times) , wǒmen ([we]) tè·bié (especially · distinctly) xūyào (need) xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({kind of}) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) . Lùdé (Ruth) cóng·bù (ever · not) rèn·wéi ({did identify} · {to be}) bié·ren (other · people) yǒu (had) yì·wù (righteous · requirement) bāngzhù ({to help} tā (her) , xiāng·fǎn (mutually · contrarily) , tā (she) zhōng·xīn ({[with] inner feelings} · heart) gǎn·jī (felt · {was incited to be} [grateful for]) bié·ren (other · people) duì ({directed at}) tā (her) de (’s) rèn·hé ({no matter} · what) bāngzhù (help . Wèile ([for]) suǒ ({she whom [she]} ài (loved de (’s) rén (person) , tā (she) gānyuàn (willingly) cháng (long) shí·jiān (time · within) nǔ·lì (exerted · strength) gōng·zuò (work · {to do}) , jiù·suàn (even · figuring) shì (was) zuò (doing) cū·huó (crude · work) , yě (even) bù (not) jué·de ({did feel} · {getting to be}) diū·liǎn (losing · face) . Tā (she) lè·yì ([with] happy · intention) jiēshòu (accepted) bié·ren (other · people) de (’s) jiàn·yì (proposed · views) , bìng·qiě (simultaneously · also) zhào·zhe (accord·ing[ly]) qù (went) zuò ({to do}) , bǐ·rú ({compared to} · like) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) gōng·zuò (work · {to do}) bǐjiào (comparatively) ānquán ([was safe] , gēn (with) shéi (whom) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) gōng·zuò (work · {to do}) bǐjiào (comparatively) hǎo ({was good}) . Zuì (most) zhòng·yào (weighty · needed) de (’s) shì (is) , tā (she) cóng (ever) méi·yǒu (not · had) wàng·jì (forgotten · {to remember}) , shéi (who) cái ({only then}) néng (could) gěi ({give to}) zìjǐ (self) zhēn·zhèng (true · proper) de (’s) bǎohù (protection) , nà (that) jiù·shì (exactly · was) Tiān·fù (heavenly · Father) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) .

³¹ Rúguǒ ([if]) wǒmen ([we]) xiàng (like) Lùdé (Ruth) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way]) , yǒu (have) zhōngzhēn (loyalty) zhī (’s) ài (love hé (and) gǎn’·ēn ({feeling [grateful for]} · kindness) zhī (’) xīn (heart) , bìng·qiě (simultaneously · also) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) tā (her) , jì (both) qiānbēi ([being humble]) yòu (also) qín·láo (diligently · labouring) , jiù (then) yě (also) néng (can) zài (at) xìn·xīn (believing · heart) fāng·miàn (side · face) chéng·wéi (become · {to be}) bié·ren (other · people) de (’s) hǎo (good) bǎngyàng ([example] . Huà (words) shuō (speaking) huí·lai ({to circle back} · {to come}) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zhàogu ({did look after}) Ná’émǐ (Naomi) hé (and) Lùdé (Ruth) ne? Wǒmen ([we]) huì (will) zài (in) xià (below) yì (one) zhāng (chapter) tántán (discuss) .