Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Expanded Bible

Letting Slaves Go Free

¹² If one of your own ·people [relatives; ^Lbrothers] ·sells himself [or is sold] to you as a slave, whether it is a Hebrew man or woman, that person will serve you for six years [Lev. 25:39; Neh. 5:4–5]. But in the seventh year you must let the slave go free. ¹³ When you let slaves go, don’t send them away ·without anything [empty-handed]. ¹⁴ ·Give them [Provide/Outfit them with] some of your flock, your grain, and your wine, giving to them as the Lord has ·given to [^Lblessed] you. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord your God ·saved [ransomed; redeemed] you. That is why I am commanding this to you today.

¹⁶ But if your slave says to you, “I don’t want to leave you,” because he loves you and your ·family [^Lhouse] and has a good life with you, ¹⁷ stick an awl [^Ca pointed tool for making holes] through his ·ear [earlobe] into the door; he will be your slave for life. Also do this to a female slave.

¹⁸ Do not think of it as a hard thing when you let your slaves go free. After all, they served you six years and did twice the work of a hired person. The Lord your God will bless you in everything you do [Ex. 21:2–6; Lev. 25:39–46].