RUTH AND NAOMI.

sons all died; and Naomi, being thus
left desolatein a foreign land, naturally
desired, in her old age, to return to her
native place. Her daughters-in-law
were both willing to go with her, but
she endeavoured to persuade them to
remain in their own country; saying,
it would be far better for them to stay
among their friends and relatives, than
to follow her into a strange land, where
she would now have to live in a very
poor and humble manner.

Orpah listened to this advice, and
bidding Naomi farewell, went home to
her friends; but Ruth could not bear
to see her aged and destitute mother-in-
law go forth alone in her sorrow; and,
in the beautiful language of the Bi-

ble, thus earnestly begged permission
6