First ReadingRuth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
From the Book of Ruth
1In the days when the judges judged,there was a famine in the land.A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. verse 2 is not read3Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died;and she was left with her two sons.4They took for themselves wives of the women of Moab.The name of the one was Orpah,and the name of the other was Ruth.They lived there about ten years.5Mahlon and Chilion both died,and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.6Then she arose with her daughters-in-law,that she might return from the country of Moab;for she had heard in the country of Moab how the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.
verses 7–13 are not read14They lifted up their voices and wept again;then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law,but Ruth stayed with her.15She said, “Behold,your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her god.Follow your sister-in-law.”
16Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you,and to return from following you,for where you go, I will go;and where you stay, I will stay.Your people will be my people, and your God my God. verses 17–21 are not read22So Naomi returned,and Ruth the Moabitess,her daughter-in-law,with her, who returned out of the country of Moab.They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.