The exact words
“Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”Ruth 1:16, King James Version (1611)
✓ VerifiedFound in a primary source: the original book, speech transcript, letter or recording.
What people get wrong
Common reading
A vow spoken between a bride and groom.
A vow spoken between a bride and groom.
Closer to the original
In the Bible it is spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law. It is a promise of loyalty between two women from different nations, which is part of why it moves people.
In the Bible it is spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law. It is a promise of loyalty between two women from different nations, which is part of why it moves people.
Timeline
- Ancient IsraelAfter her husband dies, the young Moabite widow Ruth refuses to abandon her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, and goes with her to Bethlehem, a foreign land.
- 1611The King James Version gives the words their famous English form.
- TodayThe passage is one of the most common Bible readings at weddings and renewals of vows.
Use it in a speech
Ruth said, whither thou goest, I will go. Through four houses, three cities and one very long road trip, I have. Happy anniversary.
~8 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “I will go”
Best spotthe anniversary card or toast
The Book of Ruth says, whither thou goest, I will go, and thy people shall be my people. As of today, we are your people. Welcome to the family.
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “I will go”
Best spotthe welcome to the new spouse
Questions people ask
Where is “whither thou goest, I will go” in the Bible?
Ruth 1:16.
Who said it to whom?
Ruth said it to her mother-in-law Naomi, after both of their husbands had died.
What does “whither” mean?
Where, or to what place.
Cite this quote
These cite the original source directly, so you can use them in an essay or paper. Always check your teacher's required style.
MLAThe Bible. Authorized King James Version, 1611. Project Gutenberg, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10.
APAThe Holy Bible, King James Version. (1611/2026). Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10
IN TEXT (APA)(The Bible, Ruth 1:16, King James Version)