Deuteronomy 15:12-18

12 cum tibi venditus fuerit frater tuus hebraeus aut hebraea et sex annis servierit tibi in septimo anno dimittes eum liberum

13 et quem libertate donaveris nequaquam vacuum abire patieris

14 sed dabis viaticum de gregibus et de area et torculari tuo quibus Dominus Deus tuus benedixerit tibi

15 memento quod et ipse servieris in terra Aegypti et liberaverit te Dominus Deus tuus et idcirco ego nunc praecipiam tibi

16 sin autem dixerit nolo egredi eo quod diligat te et domum tuam et bene sibi apud te esse sentiat

17 adsumes subulam et perforabis aurem eius in ianua domus tuae et serviet tibi usque in aeternum ancillae quoque similiter facies

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

Deuteronomy 15:12-18 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.