Old Testament

New Testament

Leviticus 25:47-55 Good News Bible Catholic Edition (GNBDK)

47. Suppose a foreigner living with you becomes rich, while a fellow-Israelite becomes poor and sells himself as a slave to that foreigner or to a member of his family.

48. After he is sold, he still has the right to be bought back. One of his brothers

49. or his uncle or his cousin or another of his close relatives may buy him back; or if he himself earns enough, he may buy his own freedom.

50. He must consult the one who bought him, and they must count the years from the time he sold himself until the next Year of Restoration and must set the price for his release on the basis of the wages paid to a hired servant.

51-52. He must refund a part of the purchase price according to the number of years left,

53. as if he had been hired on an annual basis. His master must not treat him harshly.

54. If he is not set free in any of these ways, he and his children must be set free in the next Year of Restoration.

55. An Israelite cannot be a permanent slave, because the people of Israel are the Lord's slaves. He brought them out of Egypt; he is the Lord their God.

Read complete chapter Leviticus 25