Generosity to the Poor

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the [a]gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, (A)you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but (B)you shall [b]open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your (C)eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and (D)he cry out to the Lord against you, and (E)it become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and (F)your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because (G)for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For (H)the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall [c]open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 15:7 towns
  2. Deuteronomy 15:8 freely open
  3. Deuteronomy 15:11 freely open

If anyone is poor(A) among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted(B) toward them. Rather, be openhanded(C) and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts,(D) is near,” so that you do not show ill will(E) toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.(F) 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart;(G) then because of this the Lord your God will bless(H) you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people(I) in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.(J)

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