New International Version

Leviticus 25:29-43 New International Version (NIV)

29. “ ‘Anyone who sells a house in a walled city retains the right of redemption a full year after its sale. During that time the seller may redeem it.

30. If it is not redeemed before a full year has passed, the house in the walled city shall belong permanently to the buyer and the buyer’s descendants. It is not to be returned in the Jubilee.

31. But houses in villages without walls around them are to be considered as belonging to the open country. They can be redeemed, and they are to be returned in the Jubilee.

32. “ ‘The Levites always have the right to redeem their houses in the Levitical towns, which they possess.

33. So the property of the Levites is redeemable—that is, a house sold in any town they hold—and is to be returned in the Jubilee, because the houses in the towns of the Levites are their property among the Israelites.

34. But the pastureland belonging to their towns must not be sold; it is their permanent possession.

35. “ ‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.

36. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you.

37. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.

38. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.

39. “ ‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves.

40. They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you; they are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee.

41. Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors.

42. Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves.

43. Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.