12 If a fellow Israeli is sold to you[fn] and serves you for six years, then you must free them in the seventh year.[ref] 13 But when you free them, don’t send them off empty-handed 14 but instead, give to them generously from your flock and from your barn and from your wine. In whatever ways your god Yahweh has blessed you, you should give to them. 15 Always remember that you were a slave in Egypt and your god Yahweh redeemed you out of there, so that’s why I’m commanding you to do that.

16 However, if any slave says that they don’t want to leave you, because they appreciate you and your household, and so they’re better off to stay with you, 17 then get an awl and stand them against the doorpost and pierce one of their earlobes with the awl, then that person (male or female) will be your slave forever. 18 Don’t complain when you have to release your slaves, because they’ve served you up to six years and been double the value of a regular hired worker, plus your god Yahweh will bless you in whatever you do.