12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free. |
13 And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. |
14 Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. |
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today. |
16 But if your servant says to you, "I do not want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and is well off with you, |
17 then take an awl and push it through his ear lobe into the door, and he will become your servant for life. Do the same for your maidservant. |
18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because his 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. |
