Deuteronomy 15:2-14

2This is what you will do: If you’ve made a loan, don’t collect payment on the debt your neighbor still owes you. Don’t demand that your neighbor or relative pay you, because the ⌞time⌟ for suspending payments on debts has been proclaimed in the Lord’s honor.

3You may demand that a foreigner pay, but don’t collect payment on the debt another Israelite still owes you.

4In any case, there shouldn’t be any poor people among you, because the Lord your God will certainly bless you in the land he is giving you as your own possession.

5He will bless you only if you listen carefully to the Lord your God and faithfully obey all these commands I’m giving you today.

6The Lord your God will bless you, as he promised. You will make loans to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any of them. You will rule many nations, but no nation will ever rule you.

7This is what you must do whenever there are poor Israelites in one of your cities in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

8Be generous to these poor people, and freely lend them as much as they need. Never be hard-hearted and tight-fisted with them.

9When the seventh year—the year when payments on debts are canceled—is near, you might be stingy toward poor Israelites and give them nothing. Be careful not to think these worthless thoughts. The poor will complain to the Lord about you, and you will be condemned for your sin.

10Be sure to give to them without any hesitation. When you do this, the Lord your God will bless you in everything you work for and set out to do.

11There will always be poor people in the land. That’s why I command you to be generous to other Israelites who are poor and needy.

12Whenever Hebrew men or women are sold to you as slaves, they will be your slaves for six years. In the seventh year you must let them go free.

13But when you let them go, don’t send them away empty-handed.

14Generously give them provisions—sheep from your flocks, grain from your threshing floor, and wine from your winepress. Be as generous to them as the Lord your God has been to you.