1 Kwathi emihleni abahlulela ngayo abahluleli kwaba khona indlala ezweni. Umuntu othile waseBetlehema Juda waya ukuyohlala ezweni lakwaMowabi, yena nomkakhe, namadodana akhe amabili.
2 Igama lalowo muntu lalingu-Elimeleki, igama lomkakhe lalinguNawomi, amagama amadodana akhe amabili ayengoMahaloni noKiliyoni; babe ngama-Efratha aseBetlehema Juda. Bafika ezweni lakwaMowabi, bahlala khona.
3 U-Elimeleki umyeni kaNawomi wafa; kepha yena wasala namadodana akhe amabili.
4 Azithathela abafazi kwabesifazane bakwaMowabi; igama lomunye lalingu-Orpa, igama lomunye lalinguRuthe; bahlala khona kwangathi iminyaka eyishumi.