Deuteronomy 15:2

1 At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.

This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.

3 You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you.

4 There will be no poor among you, however, because the LORD will surely bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed.
KJV
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’s release.
WEB
This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’s release has been proclaimed.
ASV
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release that which he hath lent unto his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother; because Jehovah`s release hath been proclaimed.
DARBY
and this is the manner of the release: Every creditor shall relax his hand from the loan which he hath lent unto his neighbour; he shall not demand it of his neighbour, or of his brother; for a release to Jehovah hath been proclaimed.
BLB
And this [is] the form of the release: Every owner of a loan shall release his hand of that he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not require [it] of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called a release unto YHWH.
ÅB
Og slik skal det være med ettergivelsen: Hver den som har til gode noe han har lånt sin neste, skal ettergi ham det; han skal ikke kreve sin neste og sin bror, fordi der er lyst ettergivelse til Herrens ære.
OTB
Slik skal ettergivelsen foregå: Hver kreditor skal ettergi det han har lånt til sin neste; han skal ikke kreve det av sin landsmann, for Herrens ettergivelsesår er blitt kunngjort.
B1930
Og således skal det være med eftergivelsen: Hver den som har til gode noget han har lånt sin næste, skal eftergi ham det; han skal ikke kreve sin næste og sin bror, fordi der er lyst eftergivelse til Herrens ære.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • James 2:13

    For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

    Read in context
  • Luke 6:34–38

    And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

    Read in context
  • Luke 7:42

    When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 6:12

    And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    Read in context
  • Nehemiah 5:7–11

    and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them

    Read in context
  • Matthew 18:25–35

    Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 58:3

    “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 6:14–15

    For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

    Read in context