rsv Deuteronomy:15:1-11 SEEK
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At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release .
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And this is the manner of the release :
every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor ;
he shall not exact it of his neighbor ,
his brother ,
because the LORD '
s release has been proclaimed .
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Of a foreigner you may exact it ;
but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release .
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But there will be no poor among you (
for the LORD will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance to possess ),
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if only you will obey the voice of the LORD your God ,
being careful to do all this commandment which I command you this day .
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For the LORD your God will bless you ,
as he promised you ,
and you shall lend to many nations ,
but you shall not borrow ;
and you shall rule over many nations ,
but they shall not rule over you .
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If there is among you a poor man ,
one of your brethren ,
in any of your towns within your land which the LORD your God gives you ,
you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother ,
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but you shall open your hand to him ,
and lend him sufficient for his need ,
whatever it may be .
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Take heed lest there be a base thought in your heart ,
and you say , `
The seventh year ,
the year of release is near ,'
and your eye be hostile to your poor brother ,
and you give him nothing ,
and he cry to the LORD against you ,
and it be sin in you .
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You shall give to him freely ,
and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him ;
because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake .
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For the poor will never cease out of the land ;
therefore I command you ,
You shall open wide your hand to your brother ,
to the needy and to the poor ,
in the land .