Paragraph 1:16–18

Ruth’s answer in verses 16–17 is in the form of parallel lines. Poetry in Hebrew consists of parallel lines. In these verses, the same meaning is stated twice in a similar way. It is recommended that you keep the form of the lines parallel if it is possible.

1:16a

But Ruth replied: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces a contrast between what Naomi said and Ruth’s reply.

Do not urge me to leave you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as urge means “to request something strongly.” Naomi had been asking Ruth to go home for quite some time.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Don’t plead with me to abandon you (CSB)
-or-
Do not keep begging me to leave you.

or to turn from following you: The clause turn from following you indicates leaving Naomi and returning to Moab. Here is another way to translate this clause:

Don’t tell me to go back to Moab.

The clause turn from following you means the same as the clause “Don’t urge me to leave you.” Ruth said the same thing in two different ways for emphasis.

Here are some other ways to translate these two clauses:

Don’t force me to leave you. Don’t make me turn back from following you. (God’s Word)
-or-
Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you! (Good News Translation)
-or-
Stop urging me to abandon you! (NET Bible)

1:16b

For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For can also be translated as “because.” Ruth made it clear that she intended to go anywhere that Naomi went.

Here is another way to translate this Hebrew conjunction:

For where you go I will go (English Standard Version)

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay; (New International Version)
-or-
Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you sleep, I will sleep. (English Easy-to-Read Version)

1:16c

your people will be my people, and your God will be my God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as people was used in verses 10 and 15. This Hebrew word could mean “her family,” “her clan,” or “her nation.” You should translate this word the same way in all three places.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

Your relatives will be my relatives, and the God you worship will be the God I worship (Translation for Translators)
-or-
Your clan will be my clan. I will obey the same God that you obey.

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