Deuteronomy 15:12-22 (New International Version)
View In My BibleFreeing Servants
15:12-18pp -- Ex 21:2-6 15:12-18Ref -- Lev 25:38-55
12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free.1 13 And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. 14 Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor2 and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. 15 Remember that you were slaves3 in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you.4 That is why I give you this command today. 16 But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, 17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant. 18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because his service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.The Firstborn Animals
19 Set apart for the LORD5 your God every firstborn male6 of your herds and flocks.7 Do not put the firstborn of your oxen to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.8 20 Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.9 21 If an animal has a defect,10 is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.11 22 You are to eat it in your own towns. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.12Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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