Ruth 1:16 nasb — But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you…

NASB

"But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."

— Ruth 1:16, NASB

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Ruth 1:16 in Other Translations

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Ruth 1 — Context

13

would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me."

14

And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15

Then she said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law."

16

But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.

17

"Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

18

When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

19

So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, "Is this Naomi?"

Ruth 1:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ruth 1:16 say?
Ruth 1:16 in the NASB reads: “But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”
Where is Ruth 1:16 in the Bible?
Ruth 1:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ruth, chapter 1, verse 16.
Who wrote Ruth?
Ruth is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel). It was written c. 1011–931 BC.
What is the book of Ruth about?
Ruth is the tender story of a Moabite widow who clings to her Israelite mother-in-law and to the LORD, and finds refuge under the wing of a kinsman-redeemer named Boaz. Set in the time of the judges, it ends with the genealogy of King David — and ultimately points toward Christ.
What are the major themes of Ruth?
Ruth explores themes including Loyalty, Redemption, Providence, Kindness, Lineage of David. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ruth 1:16.
What translation should I read Ruth 1:16 in?
Ruth 1:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ruth 1:16?
Ruth 1:16 reads (NASB): “But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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