How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
A certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. (NRSV 1:1-5)
A certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. (KJV 1:1-5)
Pretty quickly, our narrator sets the stage for a family drama. In other words, family's what sets this love story in motion. We get all the players in this clan and then we lose half of them, which leaves the remaining women in the family to fend for themselves. Gulp.
Quote #2
"Your people shall be my people, and your God my God." (NRSV1:16)
Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. (KJV 1:16)
Here, Ruth isn't only saying that she'd like to tag along to Bethlehem. She's taking Naomi's family and faith as her own as she plans to leave her own behind. Ruth's family, whoever they were, mean bupkis now that she's got her husband's family to remain loyal to.
Quote #3
Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, "Blessed be he by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!" Naomi also said to her, "The man is a relative of ours, one of our nearest kin." (NRSV 2:20)
Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen. (KJV 2:20)
Wonder of wonders. Ruth has run into the one person—a family member—who can save them both from ruin. Of course it's not so much a coincidence here, as an act of God. He's so very kind, and we know God's a family man, too. Fingers crossed for a successful marriage.