How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons[…] 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 1:3-5)
Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons[…] 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 1:3-5)
Major bummer. This story starts out on a sad note and doesn't stop. Of course, we happy-ending experts know that if you start with a death, you've gotta end with a wedding. Isn't that just how stories work?
Quote #2
[Naomi] kissed [Ruth and Orpah], and they wept aloud. (NRSV 1:9)
[Naomi] kissed [Ruth and Orpah]; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. (KJV 1:9)
Naomi has lost her sons and now she's trying to ditch her daughter-in-law. Everyone is majorly depressed by this, including Shmoop. But don't worry—Ruth will save the day in just a moment, and give us all a reason to believe in love and loyalty again.
Quote #3
Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me." Then they wept aloud again. (NRSV 1:11-14)
Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. And they lifted up their voice, and wept again. (KJV 1:11-14)
Okay, things are really not getting any better. Naomi is laying it on thick here to get Ruth and Naomi to leave her, but her situation is pretty depressing. She's down in the dumps and isn't afraid to say it. Which makes us wonder: is she playing up the pity party a bit here? Maybe she knows Ruth's a sucker for sorrow, and she's using some reverse psychology to guilt her into coming with her. We do know, after all, that she's quite the schemer.