6. When the Egyptians oppressed and humiliated us by making us their slaves,
7. we cried out to the lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard our cries and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression.
8. So the lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and powerful arm, with overwhelming terror, and with miraculous signs and wonders.
9. He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey!
10. And now, O lord, I have brought you the first portion of the harvest you have given me from the ground.’ Then place the produce before the lord your God, and bow to the ground in worship before him.
11. Afterward you may go and celebrate because of all the good things the lord your God has given to you and your household. Remember to include the Levites and the foreigners living among you in the celebration.
12. “Every third year you must offer a special tithe of your crops. In this year of the special tithe you must give your tithes to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, so that they will have enough to eat in your towns.
13. Then you must declare in the presence of the lord your God, ‘I have taken the sacred gift from my house and have given it to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows, just as you commanded me. I have not violated or forgotten any of your commands.