Lend to the Poor |
Deuteronomy 15:1-23 Deuteronomy the Fifth Book of Moses |
[After] the end of every [7th year,] you shall make a release [of debts.] This is the [way to make] the release: Every creditor [who lends] to his neighbor, shall [cancel the debt owed.] |
He [mustn’t demand payment from] his neighbor [of his own people,] or his [family,] because it is called the Lord’s release. You may [require] payment from a foreigner, but you shall release your [fellow Israelites, from the debt.] |
[Except] when there [aren’t any] poor among you. For the Lord will greatly bless you in the land [that] the Lord your God [gives to] you for an inheritance [for you] to possess. |
Only [be] carefully [to pay attention] to the voice of the Lord your God & observe & do all these commandments [that] I [am giving] you this day. The Lord your God blesses you, [like] He promised you & you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. You shall [rule] over many nations, but they shall not [rule] over you. |
If there are poor among your [fellow Israelites] within any of [your towns] in your land the Lord your God [gives] you, you shall not be [heartless] & close your hand from your poor brother. But you shall open your hand wide to him & you shall surely lend him [a] sufficient [amount] for his need [of] what he [wanted.] |
[Be careful, so] there isn’t a wicked thought in your heart, saying, This is the 7th year, the year of [releasing the debts] is [soon.] And your eye is evil against your poor [Israelites] & you don’t give him [anything] & he [cries out] to the Lord against you & you are [guilty of] sin. |
You shall surely give [to] him, [without holding a grudge in] your heart & the Lord your God shall bless you in all [that you do] & all you put your hand to. [There] shall never cease [to be] poor in the land, [so] I command you, saying, You shall open your hand wide to your [fellow Israelites,] to your poor & your needy in your land. |
If your brother, a Hebrew man or woman [is] sold to you & serves you 6 years; then you shall [set him free] from you in the 7th year. You shall not let him go away [empty-handed] from you. You shall [give] him [generously from] your flock, [& of your grain] & your winepress. |
You shall give to him [from what] the Lord your God has blessed you. Therefore I command you this day, you shall remember that you [once were] bondmen in the land of Egypt & the Lord your God redeemed you. |
It shall be, if he [the bondman says] to you, I won’t go away from you, because he loves you & your [household] & he [has done] well with you. Then you shall [pierce] an awl through his ear into the door [as a sign] that he shall be your servant forever. |
You shall do likewise to your maidservant. It [shouldn’t seem difficult for you to send] him away free from you, for he has been worth double [what would have been paid for] a hired servant [for] you, by serving you 6 years. |
The Lord your God will bless you in all you [do.] All the [firstborn] male of your herds & flocks, you shall sanctify to the Lord your God. You shall not do [any] work with the [firstborn] of your [bulls,] nor shear the [firstborn] of your sheep. |
[Every year] you & your household shall eat it before the Lord your God, in the place [that] the Lord shall choose. [If there’s] any blemish in [it,] if [it’s] lame or blind, or [has any deformity,] you shall not sacrifice it to the Lord your God. |
The clean & the unclean person shall eat it, [like the gazelle & the deer,] within your gates. Only you shall not eat [its] blood. You shall pour it upon the ground [like] water. |