Deuteronomy 15:11

For there will never be a time when there are no poor in the land; and so I give orders to you, Let your hand be open to your countrymen, to those who are poor and in need in your land.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

In Context

10But it is right for you to give to him, without grief of heart: for because of this, the blessing of the Lord your God will be on all your work and on everything to which you put your hand.

12If one of your countrymen, a Hebrew man or woman, becomes your servant for a price and does work for you six years, in the seventh year let him go free.

Read all of Deuteronomy 15

Cross References

Exodus 23:11But in the seventh year let the land have a rest and be unplanted; so that the poor may have food from it: and let the beasts of the field take the rest. Do the same with your vine-gardens and your olive-trees.

Proverbs 19:17He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.

Matthew 5:42Give to him who comes with a request, and keep not your property from him who would for a time make use of it.

Mark 14:7The poor you have ever with you, and whenever you have the desire you may do them good: but me you have not for ever.

John 12:8The poor you have ever with you, but me you have not for ever.

Acts 4:32And all those who were of the faith were one in heart and soul: and not one of them said that any of the things which he had was his property only; but they had all things in common.

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 15:2-12

The Year of Release. ( b. c. 1451.) 1 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 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. 3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release; 4 Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the Lord shall greatly bless thee in the land… Read the whole commentary →

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