15. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. The Lord your God set you free. That's why I'm giving you this command today.
16. But suppose your servant says to you, "I don't want to leave you." He loves you and your family. And you are taking good care of him.
17. Then take him to the door of your house. Poke a hole through his ear lobe into the doorpost. And he will become your servant for life. Do the same with your female servant.
18. Don't think you are being cheated when you set your servants free. After all, they have served you for six years. The service of each of them has been worth twice as much as the service of a hired worker. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.
19. Set apart to the Lord your God every male animal among your livestock that was born first to its mother. Don't put that kind of ox to work. Don't clip the wool from that kind of sheep.
20. Each year you and your family must eat them. Do it in the sight of the Lord your God at the place he will choose.
21. Suppose an animal has something wrong with it. It might not be able to see or walk. Or it might have a bad flaw. Then you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.
22. You must eat it in your own towns. Those who are "clean" and those who are not can eat it. Eat it as if it were antelope or deer meat.