38. This is the command of the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt in order to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.
39. If a fellow-Israelite living near you becomes so poor that he sells himself to you as a slave, you shall not make him do the work of a slave.
40. He shall stay with you as a hired servant and serve you until the next Year of Restoration.
41. At that time he and his children shall leave you and return to his family and to the property of his ancestors.
42. The people of Israel are the Lord's slaves, and he brought them out of Egypt; they must not be sold into slavery.
43. Do not treat them harshly, but obey your God.
44. If you need slaves, you may buy them from the nations round you.
45. You may also buy the children of the foreigners who are living among you. Such children born in your land may become your property,
46. and you may leave them as an inheritance to your sons, whom they must serve as long as they live. But you must not treat any of your fellow-Israelites harshly.
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.