Deuteronomy 15:6-16

6 The Lord will bless you, as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any; you will have control over many nations, but no nation will have control over you.
7 "If in any of the towns in the land that the Lord your God is giving you there are Israelites in need, then do not be selfish and refuse to help them. 1
8 Instead, be generous and lend them as much as they need.
9 Do not refuse to lend them something, just because the year when debts are canceled is near. Do not let such an evil thought enter your mind. If you refuse to make the loan, they will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be held guilty.
10 Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless you in everything you do.
11 There will always be some Israelites who are poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them. 2
12 "If any Israelites, male or female, sell themselves to you as slaves, you are to release them after they have served you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must let them go free. 3
13 When you set them free, do not send them away empty-handed.
14 Give to them generously from what the Lord has blessed you with - sheep, grain, and wine.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God set you free; that is why I am now giving you this command.
16 "But your slave may not want to leave; he may love you and your family and be content to stay.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 15.7, 8Leviticus 25.35.
  • 2. 15.11Matthew 26.11;Mark 14.7;John 12.8.
  • 3. 15.12-18Leviticus 25.39-46.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. sell themselves; [or] are sold.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.