Freeing slaves

12 “If any of your fellow Israeli men or women sell themselves to one of you to become your slave, you must free them after they have worked for you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must free them. 13 When you free them, do not allow them to go ◄empty-handed/without giving them anything►. 14 Give to them generously from the things with which Yahweh has blessed you—sheep, grain, and wine. 15 Do not forget that your ancestors were once slaves in Egypt, and Yahweh our God freed them. That is the reason that I am now commanding you to do this.

16 “But one of your slaves may say, ‘I do not want to leave you.’ He loves you and your family, because you have treated him well. 17 If he says that, take him to the door of your house and, while he stands against the doorway, pierce one of his earlobes with ◄an awl/a sharp pointed tool►. That will indicate that he will be your slave for the rest of his life. Do the same thing to any female slave who does not want to leave you.

18 “Do not complain when you are required to free your slaves. Keep in mind that they served you for six years, and you paid them only half as much as you pay the servants that you hire. If you free them, Yahweh our God will bless you in everything that you do.”