Deuteronomy 15:18-23

18 non avertes ab eis oculos tuos quando dimiseris eos liberos quoniam iuxta mercedem mercennarii per sex annos servivit tibi ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in cunctis operibus quae agis

19 de primogenitis quae nascuntur in armentis et ovibus tuis quicquid sexus est masculini sanctificabis Domino Deo tuo non operaberis in primogenito bovis et non tondebis primogenita ovium

20 in conspectu Domini Dei tui comedes ea per annos singulos in loco quem elegerit Dominus tu et domus tua

21 sin autem habuerit maculam et vel claudum fuerit vel caecum aut in aliqua parte deforme vel debile non immolabitur Domino Deo tuo

22 sed intra portas urbis tuae comedes illud tam mundus quam inmundus similiter vescentur eis quasi caprea et cervo

23 hoc solum observabis ut sanguinem eorum non comedas sed effundas in terram quasi aquam

Deuteronomy 15:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15

This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, De 15:1-6, which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, De 15:7-11 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, De 15:12-15 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored through with an awl, and serve to the year of jubilee, De 15:16-18 and of sanctifying and eating the firstlings of the herd and flock where the Lord directs, De 15:19-23.