9 Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people , "You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon . 10 "Moreover , I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess , the widow of Mahlon , to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance , so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place ; you are witnesses today ." 11 All the people who were in the court , and the elders , said , "We are witnesses . May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah , both of whom built the house of Israel ; and may you achieve wealth in Ephrathah and become famous e in Bethlehem . 12 "Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah , through the offspring which the Lord will give you by this young woman ."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ruth 4:9-12

Commentary on Ruth 4:9-12

(Read Ruth 4:9-12)

Men are ready to seize opportunities for increasing their estates, but few know the value of godliness. Such are the wise men of this world, whom the Lord charges with folly. They attend not to the concerns of their souls, but reject the salvation of Christ, for fear of marring their inheritance. But God did Boaz the honour to bring him into the line of the Messiah, while the kinsman, who was afraid of lessening himself, and marring his inheritance, has his name, family, and inheritance forgotten.