Ruth 1:19-22

Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem

19 Naomi and Ruth travelled together to Bethlehem. When they arrived there, the people were very surprised. The women from the town said, ‘Is this really Naomi?’

20 Naomi said to them, ‘Do not call me Naomi. Call me Mara, instead. The Almighty God has made my life very sad. 21 I left here with everything that I needed. Now the Lord has brought me back here with nothing. The Almighty Lord has turned against me, so that I have suffered. It is not right for you to call me Naomi.’

1:20The name Naomi means ‘happy’. The name Mara means ‘sad’.

22 That is how Naomi returned from Moab with Ruth. Ruth was from Moab. She was the wife of Naomi's son Mahlon. Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem when the harvest of barley was beginning.