Ruth 1:16 web — Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and whe…

World English Bible

"Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after 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, World English Bible

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Ruth 1:16 in Other Translations

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Ruth 1 — Context

13

would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me."

14

They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.

15

She said, "Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law."

16

Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after 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, will I die, and there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

18

When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

19

So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about 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 World English Bible reads: “Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after 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 (WEB): “Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after 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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