Study Desk

"^(C1)At the end of every seven years you shall ^(F1)grant a release of debts.

"And this is the regulation for the release of debts: every creditor is to forgive what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not require it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD'S release has been proclaimed.

"^(C1)From a foreigner you may require it, but your hand shall ^(F1)forgive whatever of yours is with your brother.

"However, there will be no poor among you, since ^(C1)the LORD will certainly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,

if only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, to ^(F1)follow carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today.

"^(C1)For the LORD your God will have blessed you just as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

"If there is ^(C1)a poor person among you, one of your brothers, in any of your ^(F1)towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, ^(C2)you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;

but ^(C1)you shall fully open your hand to him, and generously lend him enough for his need in whatever he lacks.

"Be careful that there is no mean-spirited ^(F1)thought in your heart, ^(F2)such as, '^(C1)The seventh year, the year of release of debts, is near,' and ^(C2)your eye is malicious toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he ^(C3)may cry out to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.

"You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be ^(F1)grudging when you give to him, because ^(C1)for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work, and in all ^(F2)your undertakings.

"^(C1)For the poor will not cease ^(F1)to exist in the land; therefore I am commanding you, saying, 'You shall fully open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.'