1. In the days of one of the judges, when the judges ruled, there came a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Juda, went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.
2. He was named Elimelech, and his wife, Noemi: and his two sons, the one Mahalon, and the other Chelion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Juda. And entering into the country of Moab, they abode there.
3. And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died: and she remained with her sons.
4. And they took wives of the women of Moab, of which one was called Orpha, and the other Ruth. And they dwelt there ten years.
5. And they both died, to wit, Mahalon and Chelion: and the woman was left alone, having lost both her sons and her husband.