Deuteronomy 15:16-18

International Standard Version

¹⁶ “If that slave^[a] should say to you, ‘I won’t leave you,’ because he loves you and your household, and it was good for him to be with you, ¹⁷ then take an awl and pierce through his earlobe into the door. He then will be your slave forever. You are to do the same for your female slaves. ¹⁸ Don’t view this as a hardship for yourself when you set him free, for he will have served you for six years—twice the time of a paid worker. Then the Lord will bless you in all that you do.”