Debts Canceled Every Seven Years

15 “At the end of aevery seven years you shall grant a 1release of debts. 2 And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall 2release it; he shall not 3require 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 bbless 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; cyou shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.

Generosity to the Poor

7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the 4gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, dyou shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but eyou shall 5open 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 feye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and ghe cry out to the Lord against you, and hit become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and iyour heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because jfor this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For kthe poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall 6open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’