¹³ “When you release a male servant, do not send him away empty-handed.

⁵ “At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

A Message about Jehoiakim

4 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

⁴² The people of Israel are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, so they must never be sold as slaves. ⁴³ Show your fear of God by not treating them harshly.

⁴⁴ “However, you may purchase male and female slaves from among the nations around you.

²¹ And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed.

⁴² In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side—the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac^[a]—you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!”