Deuteronomy 15:1-9 ▼

1 “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.

2 And this is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother because the remission from Yahweh has been proclaimed.

3 From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother.

4 However, there will be no needy one among you, since Yahweh will surely bless you in the land which Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,

5 if only you listen obediently to the voice of Yahweh your God, to be careful to do all this commandment which I am commanding you today.

6 For Yahweh your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

7 “If there is a needy one among you, one of your brothers, in any of your gates of the towns in your land which Yahweh your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand from your needy brother;

8 but you shall freely open your hand to him and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.

9 Beware lest there be a vile thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of the remission of debts, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your needy brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to Yahweh against you, and it will be a sin in you.