Old Testament
The Book of Ruth
The Book of Ruth is the eighth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 4 chapters and 85 verses.
About Ruth
About Ruth · Family story
Ruth is a short story about a Moabite widow who binds herself to her ruined Israelite mother-in-law and finds, through loyalty and a kinsman's kindness, a place in Israel — and in the ancestry of David. Its author is unknown and its date debated. It was written to show God's providence working through ordinary decency rather than miracles, and to insist that a foreigner's faithfulness can matter more than pedigree. The Gospel of Matthew keeps her name in the genealogy of Christ.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 8 of 46, 8 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 4 |
| Verses | 85, as Bless numbers them |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 4 chapters · 4 notes |
| Catechism | No references |
Chapter by chapter
All 4 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Ruth 1
22 versesElimelech of Bethlehem going with his wife Noemi, and two sons, into the land of Moab, dieth there. His sons marry wives of that country and die without issue. Noemi returneth home with her daughter in law Ruth, who refuseth to part with her.
Ruth 2
23 versesRuth gleaneth in the field of Booz, who sheweth her favour.
Ruth 3
18 versesRuth instructed by her mother in law lieth at Booz's feet, claiming him for her husband by the law of affinity: she receiveth a good answer, and six measures of barley.
Ruth 4
22 versesUpon the refusal of the nearer kinsman, Booz marrieth Ruth, who bringeth forth Obed, the grandfather of David.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Ruth is read at the principal Mass on 2 days in the US calendar. The next 2 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| computed | St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22 |
| computed | St. Pius X, Pope | First Reading | Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.