Deuteronomy 15:1-9 ▼

1 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.

2 This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s {YHWH} time of release has been proclaimed.

3 You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you.

4 There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD {YHWH} will surely bless you in the land that the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} is giving you to possess as an inheritance,

5 if only you obey the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} and are careful to follow all these commandments I am giving you today.

6 When the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} blesses you as He has promised, you will lend to many nations but borrow from none; you will rule over many nations but be ruled by none.

7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} is giving you, then you are not to harden (make strong) your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.

8 Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD {YHWH} against you, and you will be guilty of sin.