Leviticus 25:39-46

39“If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and is forced to sell himself to you, do not treat him as a slave.

40Treat him instead as a hired worker or as a temporary resident who lives with you, and he will serve you only until the Year of Jubilee.

41At that time he and his children will no longer be obligated to you, and they will return to their clans and go back to the land originally allotted to their ancestors.

42The people of Israel are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, so they must never be sold as slaves.

43Show your fear of God by not treating them harshly.

44“However, you may purchase male and female slaves from among the nations around you.

45You may also purchase the children of temporary residents who live among you, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property,

46passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat them as slaves, but you must never treat your fellow Israelites this way.