Deuteronomy 15 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Deuteronomy 15 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Sabbatical Year

Debt Forgiveness Every Seven Years: God commands the Israelites to forgive debts every seventh year, known as the sabbatical year. This regulation provided economic relief for the poor and prevented excessive accumulation of wealth by the rich.
Compassion for the Poor: The law also encouraged generosity towards the less fortunate, promoting a society based on compassion and mutual support.
Optional Release from Debt: However, the forgiveness of debts was not mandatory if the creditor did not feel comfortable releasing the debt, highlighting the importance of individual generosity within the broader framework of the law.

Deuteronomy 15 focuses on God's commands regarding compassion and economic justice, particularly emphasizing the Sabbatical Year of Release.

1. Year of Release (verses 1-18):

Debt Forgiveness: Every seven years, all debts between Israelites are to be canceled. This doesn't apply to foreigners. (v. 1-3)
Ideal Scenario: Ideally, there should be no poor among the Israelites if they faithfully obey God's laws. (v. 4-5)
Lending with Generosity: Even knowing the debt will be canceled, Israelites are commanded to lend freely and generously to those in need. (v. 7-11)
Release from Slavery: Hebrew slaves who have served six years are to be set free in the seventh year and provided generously for their new start. (v. 12-15)
Choosing to Stay: If a slave chooses to stay with their master, a ceremony is performed to signify their lifelong commitment. (v. 16-17)
Reward for Obedience: God promises blessings for obedience to these laws. (v. 18)

2. Consecration of Firstborn Animals (verses 19-23):

Dedication to God: The firstborn male of all livestock belongs to God and should not be used for work or its first shearings kept. (v. 19)
Family Feast: Instead, the animal is to be eaten annually by the family before the Lord at the designated place of worship. (v. 20-23)

Key Themes:

Compassion and Justice: God desires his people to show compassion and act justly, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable.
Sabbath Principles: The Year of Release echoes the Sabbath principle of rest and restoration, extending it to economic spheres.
Obedience and Blessing: God links obedience to these laws with material and spiritual blessings.

Overall Message:

Deuteronomy 15 calls for a radical reorientation of societal values, prioritizing compassion, generosity, and the well-being of all members, especially the marginalized. It emphasizes that true worship involves not just rituals but also living out God's heart for justice and mercy.

Deuteronomy 15 bible study ai commentary

Deuteronomy 15 details a blueprint for a just and compassionate society, founded on the principle of divine release. The chapter interweaves three core laws—the Sabbatical year for debt release (shemitah), the freeing of Hebrew servants, and the sanctification of firstborn animals—all anchored in the memory of Israel's redemption from Egypt. It moves beyond mere legislation, demanding a change of heart, urging Israelites to reflect God’s own generosity and grace in their economic and social relationships, ensuring that prosperity is shared and dignity is preserved within the covenant community.

Deuteronomy 15 context

These laws are given to Israel as they prepare to enter Canaan. The socio-economic structure of the Ancient Near East (ANE) was often built on cycles of debt that led to permanent servitude and a fixed peasant class. Kings might occasionally proclaim a debt-release to gain favour or prevent revolt. However, Israel’s laws were unique: they were not a one-time royal decree but a divinely commanded, cyclical, and automatic part of the covenant. This system was a radical alternative, designed to prevent entrenched poverty and to constantly remind the people of God's ultimate ownership of the land and their own liberation. It was a theological and social safeguard rooted in redemption, not royal pragmatism.

Deuteronomy 15:1-3

At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord's release has been proclaimed. Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release.

In-depth-analysis

The Sabbatical Year: This is the Shemitah (שְׁמִטָּה), literally "letting drop" or "remission." It commanded a complete cancellation of debts among Israelites, not just a deferment.
"At the end of every seven years": This establishes a regular, predictable cycle of economic reset. This is a recurring Sabbath principle applied to the economy.
"Lord's release": The authority for this act is not human kindness but a divine decree. It belongs to Yahweh. This act imitates God's grace and reminds Israel that He is the ultimate provider and owner.
Neighbor/Brother vs. Foreigner: The release applies only within the covenant community ("neighbor," "brother"). This fostered national solidarity. Business with foreigners (nokri) operated under different rules, as they were outside the covenant and its social protections.

Bible references

Exodus 23:10-11: "...the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow... that the poor of your people may eat." (The Shemitah principle first applied to the land).
Leviticus 25:2-7: "...the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord." (Elaboration on the sabbatical year for the land, forming the basis for the economic Sabbatical).
Nehemiah 10:31: "...if the peoples of the land bring in goods... to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy... and we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt." (Post-exilic community recommitting to this law).
Matthew 6:12: "...and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (The Lord's Prayer echoes the principle of release and forgiveness).

Cross references

Jer 34:14 (Seventh year release); Deu 23:20 (No interest to brother); Gal 6:10 (Do good to all, especially household of faith).

Deuteronomy 15:4-6

But there will be no poor among you—for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance— if only you strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God... For the Lord your God will bless you... you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow...

In-depth-analysis

Ideal vs. Reality: Verse 4 presents the ideal ("no poor among you"), which is God's desired outcome if Israel is fully obedient. This is contrasted with the reality in verse 11 ("the poor will never cease from the land"). This is not a contradiction, but a challenge: poverty can be eradicated if the covenant is kept.
Blessing as a Consequence: National prosperity and becoming a creditor to other nations is presented as a direct result of obedience to God’s economic laws. The blessing is tangible.
Lending as Power: To "lend... but not borrow" was a sign of divine favour, economic dominance, and national security in the ANE.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 12: "if you faithfully obey... The Lord will open to you his good treasury... to bless all the work of your hand. And you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow." (The blessing for obedience spelled out).
Proverbs 14:31: "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." (Links care for the poor with honouring God).
2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (NT principle of God's provision enabling generosity).

Cross references

Pro 22:7 (The borrower is slave to the lender); Psa 41:1 (Blessings for considering the poor); Psa 37:26 (The righteous is ever giving and lending).

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

If among you... there is a poor man... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand... but you shall open your hand to him... Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart... and your eye be hostile toward your poor brother... he may cry to the Lord against you, and it be sin in you... you shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give... Because for this the Lord your God will bless you... For the poor will never cease out of the land...

In-depth-analysis

The Heart Condition: The focus shifts from the law to the heart's motivation. It directly addresses the human tendency to be stingy or calculating ("harden your heart").
The "Wicked Thought": It anticipates the lender's logic: "The seventh year, the year of release, is near." God explicitly forbids this self-interested calculation from preventing a loan.
The "Evil Eye": The phrase "your eye be hostile" (or "evil eye," ra'ayin ra'ah) refers to a stingy, begrudging attitude. It’s not about magic, but a metaphor for selfishness.
Divine Justice: God is presented as the defender of the poor. Refusing a loan out of stinginess is a sin for which one is accountable directly to God.
Poor Will Never Cease: A statement of sober reality due to human sin and unforeseen hardship. Because poverty will persist, the command to be generous must also be perpetual. It underscores the continuous need for compassion.

Bible references

Proverbs 22:9: "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." (Direct Hebrew contrast to the "evil eye").
Matthew 20:15: "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or is your eye evil because I am good?" (Jesus uses the "evil eye" concept for jealousy at another's blessing).
1 John 3:17: "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (NT echo of "shut your hand").
2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (Parallels the command against a "grudging heart").

Cross references

Jam 2:15-16 (Faith without works); Pro 19:17 (Lending to poor is lending to the Lord); Luk 6:38 (Give and it will be given to you); Exo 22:25-27 (God hears the cry of the poor).

Deuteronomy 15:12-15

If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. And when you let him go free, you shall not let him go empty-handed. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock... out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress... You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you...

In-depth-analysis

Indentured Servitude, Not Chattel Slavery: This addresses Israelites who sold themselves into service due to poverty. It was temporary and protective, not permanent chattel slavery.
Equality of Release: Uniquely includes the "Hebrew woman," expanding on the law in Exodus 21 which primarily addressed male servants. Deuteronomy champions greater social equality.
"Not... empty-handed": This is a key addition not found in Exodus 21. The master must provide a "golden handshake" to enable the freed servant to start a new, economically viable life. It’s restorative justice.
The Ultimate Motivation: "You shall remember that you were a slave..." This is the theological anchor. Their own experience of redemption by God is the model for how they must act toward others. Generosity is a response to grace received.

Bible references

Exodus 21:2-4: "When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing." (The base law that Deuteronomy expands upon).
Leviticus 25:39-40: "If your brother becomes poor... you shall not make him serve as a slave, but he shall be with you as a hired servant." (Framing the relationship as employment, not ownership).
Ephesians 2:1-5: "...you were dead in the trespasses and sins... But God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved" (The ultimate spiritual redemption that Israel's was a type of).

Cross references

Jer 34:8-11 (Judah's sin in not freeing slaves); Phm 1:16 (Treating a slave as a brother); Col 4:1 (Masters treat slaves justly).

Deuteronomy 15:16-18

But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you, then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you...

In-depth-analysis

Voluntary Continuation: This provision allows a servant who has been treated well to choose to stay permanently. The choice is born out of love and security, not coercion.
The Ear-Piercing: A public, symbolic act. The door/doorpost represents the household. Piercing the ear to the door signifies a permanent attachment to that specific household. "Forever" means for the rest of the servant's life, not in perpetuity for his descendants.
Female Slave Again: Explicitly grants the female servant the same right to choose permanent service, a significant elevation of her status and agency.
Economic Rationale: A command to the master's heart. Releasing a servant shouldn't be seen as a financial loss, because their service was twice as valuable ("half the cost") as a hired hand who would have less commitment.

Bible references

Exodus 21:5-6: "if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master'... then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost..." (The parallel ceremony).
Psalm 40:6: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened." (The language of an opened/pierced ear is used metaphorically for willing, loving obedience to God).
Hebrews 10:5-7: (Quoting Psalm 40, interpreting it Christologically as Jesus' ultimate act of willing service and obedience to the Father's will).

Cross references

Gal 5:13 (Through love serve one another); Isa 50:5 (The Lord God has opened my ear).

Deuteronomy 15:19-23

All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the Lord your God... You shall eat it, you and your household, every year before the Lord your God in the place that the Lord will choose... If it has any blemish... you shall not sacrifice it... You shall eat it within your towns... But you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.

In-depth-analysis

Firstborn Principle (Bechor): The firstborn belongs to God. This law reminds Israel that God is the source of all fertility and life, and it commemorates the final plague in Egypt where their firstborn were spared (passed over).
Central Sanctuary: The sacred meal must be eaten "in the place that the Lord will choose" (Jerusalem). This reinforces centralized worship and community fellowship.
Rule of Blemish: Only perfect animals are fit for sacrifice to a perfect God. Blemished firstborns were not rejected but re-purposed: they could be eaten as common food locally, but not as a holy sacrifice.
Sanctity of Blood: The prohibition on consuming blood is repeated, reinforcing the core principle that blood represents life and belongs solely to God.

Bible references

Exodus 13:2, 12-13: "Consecrate to me all the firstborn... it is mine." (The institution of the law of the firstborn after the Exodus).
Numbers 18:17-18: "But the firstborn of a cow... you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar... their flesh shall be yours." (The priest's portion of the firstborn).
Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls." (The theological reason for the blood prohibition).
Hebrews 12:22-23: "...you have come... to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven." (Christians are described as members of the church of the firstborn, consecrated to God through Christ).

Cross references

Deu 12:5-7 (Central sanctuary rule); Lev 22:20 (Blemish rule); Rom 12:1 (Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable).

Deuteronomy chapter 15 analysis

Motivation of Grace: A central theme across all three laws is the motivation: "Remember you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you" (v. 15). Israel's social ethic is not based on abstract philosophy but on their shared redemptive history. They must give grace because they have received grace.
Theology of the Heart: The chapter repeatedly moves beyond legal procedure to the attitude of the heart. "Do not harden your heart" (v. 7), "your heart shall not be grudging" (v. 10), "It shall not seem hard to you" (v. 18). Obedience that pleases God is internal and cheerful, not merely external and reluctant.
The Progression from Exodus: Deuteronomy consistently expands and deepens laws from Exodus. Here it adds the command to provision freed slaves liberally and extends the choice of permanent servanthood to female servants, reflecting a more developed and compassionate application of the law.
The Ideal vs. The Real: The tension between the ideal state ("no poor among you," v. 4) and the fallen reality ("the poor will never cease," v. 11) serves as a powerful theological engine. The ideal is God's will and the goal of obedience. The reality necessitates constant, compassionate action. It holds both the divine promise and the human responsibility in tension.

Deuteronomy 15 summary

This chapter commands radical economic and social grace, structuring Israelite society around a cyclical release. In the Sabbatical (seventh) year, all debts among Israelites were to be cancelled. Hebrew indentured servants were to be set free and provided for liberally. These laws were a direct reflection of God's own act of redeeming Israel from Egypt. The chapter stresses that the attitude must be one of open-handed generosity, not begrudging compliance. It concludes by reinforcing the law of the firstborn, reminding Israel that their life, liberty, and prosperity all belong ultimately to God.

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Deuteronomy chapter 15 kjv

¹ At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.
² And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.
³ Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;
⁴ Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:
⁵ Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.
⁶ For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.
⁷ If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
⁸ But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
⁹ Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
¹⁰ Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
¹¹ For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
¹² And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
¹³ And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
¹⁴ Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
¹⁵ And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
¹⁶ And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
¹⁷ Then thou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
¹⁸ It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
¹⁹ All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.
²⁰ Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.
²¹ And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.
²² Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart.
²³ Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

Deuteronomy chapter 15 nkjv

¹ "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts.
² And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD's release.
³ Of a foreigner you may require it; but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother,
⁴ except when there may be no poor among you; for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance?
⁵ only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today.
⁶ For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.
⁷ "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
⁸ but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.
⁹ Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you.
¹⁰ You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.
¹¹ For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'
¹² "If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
¹³ And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed;
¹⁴ you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him.
¹⁵ You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.
¹⁶ And if it happens that he says to you, 'I will not go away from you,' because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you,
¹⁷ then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise.
¹⁸ It shall not seem hard to you when you send him away free from you; for he has been worth a double hired servant in serving you six years. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.
¹⁹ "All the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock you shall sanctify to the LORD your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
²⁰ You and your household shall eat it before the LORD your God year by year in the place which the LORD chooses.
²¹ But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
²² You may eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean person alike may eat it, as if it were a gazelle or a deer.
²³ Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy chapter 15 niv

¹ At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
² This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD's time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.
³ You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you.
⁴ However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you,
⁵ if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
⁶ For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.
⁷ If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.
⁸ Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
⁹ Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.
¹⁰ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
¹² If any of your people?Hebrew men or women?sell themselves to you and serve you six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free.
¹³ And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed.
¹⁴ Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the LORD your God has blessed you.
¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
¹⁶ But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you,
¹⁷ then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant.
¹⁸ Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.
¹⁹ Set apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male of your herds and flocks. Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.
²⁰ Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.
²¹ If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
²² You are to eat it in your own towns. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.
²³ But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy chapter 15 esv

¹ "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.
² And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the LORD's release has been proclaimed.
³ Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release.
⁴ But there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess ?
⁵ if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today.
⁶ For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
⁷ "If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,
⁸ but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
⁹ Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, 'The seventh year, the year of release is near,' and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin.
¹⁰ You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
¹¹ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'
¹² "If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
¹³ And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
¹⁴ You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the LORD your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
¹⁵ You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
¹⁶ But if he says to you, 'I will not go out from you,' because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
¹⁷ then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
¹⁸ It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.
¹⁹ "All the firstborn males that are born of your herd and flock you shall dedicate to the LORD your God. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
²⁰ You shall eat it, you and your household, before the LORD your God year by year at the place that the LORD will choose.
²¹ But if it has any blemish, if it is lame or blind or has any serious blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
²² You shall eat it within your towns. The unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as though it were a gazelle or a deer.
²³ Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy chapter 15 nlt

¹ "At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money.
² This is how it must be done. Everyone must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the LORD's time of release has arrived.
³ This release from debt, however, applies only to your fellow Israelites ? not to the foreigners living among you.
⁴ "There should be no poor among you, for the LORD your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession.
⁵ You will receive this blessing if you are careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today.
⁶ The LORD your God will bless you as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow. You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you.
⁷ "But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them.
⁸ Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.
⁹ Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the LORD, you will be considered guilty of sin.
¹⁰ Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.
¹¹ There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.
¹² "If a fellow Hebrew sells himself or herself to be your servant and serves you for six years, in the seventh year you must set that servant free.
¹³ "When you release a male servant, do not send him away empty-handed.
¹⁴ Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the LORD your God has blessed you.
¹⁵ Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command.
¹⁶ "But suppose your servant says, 'I will not leave you,' because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you.
¹⁷ In that case, take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door. After that, he will be your servant for life. And do the same for your female servants.
¹⁸ "You must not consider it a hardship when you release your servants. Remember that for six years they have given you services worth double the wages of hired workers, and the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.
¹⁹ "You must set aside for the LORD your God all the firstborn males from your flocks and herds. Do not use the firstborn of your herds to work your fields, and do not shear the firstborn of your flocks.
²⁰ Instead, you and your family must eat these animals in the presence of the LORD your God each year at the place he chooses.
²¹ But if this firstborn animal has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or if anything else is wrong with it, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
²² Instead, use it for food for your family in your hometown. Anyone, whether ceremonially clean or unclean, may eat it, just as anyone may eat a gazelle or deer.
²³ But you must not consume the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water.