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11 But Naomi replied, “It is better for you to return to your own people. Do I have younger sons who could grow up to be your husbands?[a] 12 No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to have a husband. And even if that were possible, and I became pregnant tonight, and bore sons 13 would you wait for them to grow up? No, of course not, my daughters; oh, how I grieve for you that the Lord has punished me in a way that injures you.”

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Footnotes

  1. Ruth 1:11 Do I have younger sons . . . to be your husbands? This refers to the custom of the day. Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) was a common practice. The brother of a deceased husband was to marry the widow.

11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?(A) 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— 13 would you wait until they grew up?(B) Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter(C) for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!(D)

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