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17 then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his earlobe into the door, and he shall be your slave[a] for ever.

You shall do the same with regard to your female slave.[b]

18 Do not consider it a hardship when you send them out from you free persons, because for six years they have given you services worth the wages of hired labourers; and the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.

The Firstborn of Livestock

19 Every firstling male born of your herd and flock you shall consecrate to the Lord your God; you shall not do work with your firstling ox nor shear the firstling of your flock.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 15:17 Or bondman
  2. Deuteronomy 15:17 Or bondwoman

17 then take an awl and push it through his earlobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your female servant.

18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.

The Firstborn Animals

19 Set apart for the Lord(A) your God every firstborn male(B) of your herds and flocks.(C) Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.(D)

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