1 At the end of every seven years, you
shall cancel debts.

2 This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he
has lent to his neighbor. He shall not
require payment from his neighbor and
his brother, because Yahweh’s release has
been proclaimed.

3 Of a foreigner you may require it; but
whatever of yours is with your brother,
your hand shall release.

4 However there will beno poor withyou
(for Yahweh will surely bless you in the
land which Yahweh your God gives you for
an inheritance to possess)

5 if only you diligently listen to Yahweh
your God’s voice, to observe to do all this
commandment which I command you today.

6 For Yahweh your God will bless you, as
he promised you. You will lend to many
nations, but you will not borrow. You will
rule over many nations, but they will not
rule over you.

7 If a poor man, one of your brothers, is
with you within any of your gates in your
land which Yahweh your God gives you,
you shall not harden your heart, nor shut
your hand from your poor brother;

8 but you shall surely open your hand to
him, and shall surely lend him sufficient
for his need, which he lacks.

9 Beware that there not 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 to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to
you.

10 You shall surely give, and your heart
shall not be grieved when you give to him,
because it is for this thing Yahweh your
God will bless you in all your work and in
all that you put your hand to.

11 For the poor will never cease out ofthe
land. Therefore I command you to surely
open your hand to your brother, to your
needy, and to your poor, in your land.