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Deuteronomy 15:7-11
New English Translation
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
New English Translation
The Spirit of Liberality
7 If a fellow Israelite[a] from one of your villages[b] in the land that the Lord your God is giving you should be poor, you must not harden your heart or be insensitive[c] to his impoverished condition.[d] 8 Instead, you must be sure to open your hand to him and generously lend[e] him whatever he needs.[f] 9 Be careful lest you entertain the wicked thought that the seventh year, the year of cancellation of debts, has almost arrived, and your attitude[g] be wrong toward your impoverished fellow Israelite[h] and you do not lend[i] him anything; he will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be regarded as having sinned.[j] 10 You must by all means lend[k] to him and not be upset by doing it,[l] for because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you attempt. 11 There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open[m] your hand to your fellow Israelites[n] who are needy and poor in your land.
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- Deuteronomy 15:7 tn Heb “one of your brothers” (so NASB); NAB “one of your kinsmen”; NRSV “a member of your community.” See the note at v. 2.
- Deuteronomy 15:7 tn Heb “gates.”
- Deuteronomy 15:7 tn Heb “withdraw your hand.” Cf. NIV “hardhearted or tightfisted” (NRSV and NLT similar).
- Deuteronomy 15:7 tn Heb “from your needy brother.”
- Deuteronomy 15:8 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute before both verbs. The translation indicates the emphasis with the words “be sure to” and “generously,” respectively.
- Deuteronomy 15:8 tn Heb “whatever his need that he needs for himself.” This redundant expression has been simplified in the translation for stylistic reasons.
- Deuteronomy 15:9 tn Heb “your eye.”
- Deuteronomy 15:9 tn Heb “your needy brother.”
- Deuteronomy 15:9 tn Heb “give” (likewise in v. 10).
- Deuteronomy 15:9 tn Heb “it will be a sin to you.”
- Deuteronomy 15:10 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “by all means.”
- Deuteronomy 15:10 tc Heb “your heart must not be grieved in giving to him.” The LXX and Orig add, “you shall surely lend to him sufficient for his need,” a suggestion based on the same basic idea in v. 8. Such slavish adherence to stock phrases is without warrant in most cases, and certainly here.
- Deuteronomy 15:11 tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “make sure.”
- Deuteronomy 15:11 tn Heb “your brother.”
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
New International Version
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
New International Version
7 If anyone is poor(A) among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted(B) toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded(C) and freely lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts,(D) is near,” so that you do not show ill will(E) toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.(F) 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart;(G) then because of this the Lord your God will bless(H) you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people(I) in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.(J)
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