2. This is the way you must do this: Everyone who has lent money to another Israelite must cancel the debt. He should not ask a fellow Israelite to repay the debt, because the Lord said to cancel debts during that year.
3. You may require a foreigner to repay you, but you must cancel any debt another Israelite owes you.
4. There should not be any poor people in your country, because the Lord your God is giving you this land. And the Lord will greatly bless you.
5. But this will happen only if you obey the Lord your God. You must be careful to obey every command that I have told you today.
6. Then the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised. And you will have enough money to make loans to many nations. But you will not need to borrow from anyone. You will rule over many nations. But none of these nations will rule over you.
7. “When you are living in the land the Lord your God is giving you, there might be some poor people living among you. You must not be selfish. You must not refuse to give help to them.
8. You must be willing to share with them. You must lend them whatever they need.
9. “Don’t ever refuse to help someone simply because the seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near. Don’t let an evil thought like that enter your mind. You must never have bad thoughts about someone who needs help. You must not refuse to help them. If you don’t help the poor, they might complain to the Lord, and he will judge you guilty of sin.
10. “So be sure to give to the poor. Don’t hesitate to give to them, because the Lord your God will bless you for doing this good thing. He will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.
11. There will always be poor people in the land. That is why I command you to be ready to help your brother or sister. Give to the poor in your land who need help.