Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Living Bible

¹² “If you buy a Hebrew slave, whether a man or woman, you must free him at the end of the sixth year you have owned him, ¹³ and don’t send him away empty-handed! ¹⁴ Give him a large farewell present from your flock, your olive press, and your winepress. Share with him in proportion as the Lord your God has blessed you. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God rescued you! That is why I am giving you this command.

¹⁶ “But if your Hebrew slave doesn’t want to leave—if he says he loves you and enjoys your pleasant home and gets along well with you— ¹⁷ then take an awl and pierce his ear into the door, and after that he shall be your slave forever. Do the same with your women slaves. ¹⁸ But when you free a slave you must not feel bad, for remember that for six years he has cost you less than half the price of a hired hand! And the Lord your God will prosper all you do because you have released him!