This is how to cancel debt: Every creditor is to cancel what he has lent his neighbour. He is not to collect anything from his neighbour or brother, because the Lord’s release of debts has been proclaimed.
Be careful that there isn’t this wicked thought in your heart, “The seventh year, the year of cancelling debts, is near,” and you are stingy towards your poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty.
When the surrounding peoples bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or a holy day. We will also leave the land uncultivated in the seventh year and will cancel every debt.
“At the end of seven years, each of you must let his fellow Hebrew who sold himself to you go. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free from your service.” But your ancestors did not obey me or pay any attention.
