"Ifyou lendmoneyto My people,to the pooramongyou, you are not to actas a creditorto him; you shall not chargehim interest.
Now a certainwomanof the wivesof the sonsof the prophetscriedout to Elisha,"Your servantmy husbandis dead,and you knowthat your servantfearedthe LORD;and the creditorhas cometo takemy twochildrento be his slaves."
Then she cameand toldthe manof God.And he said,"Go,sellthe oiland payyour debt,and you [and] your sonscan liveon the rest."
I consultedwith myself and contendedwith the noblesand the rulersand saidto them, "You are exactingusury,eachfrom his brother!"Therefore, I helda greatassemblyagainstthem.
He does not putout his moneyat interest,Nordoes he takea bribeagainstthe innocent.He who doesthesethingswill neverbe shaken.
He who increaseshis wealthby interestand usuryGathersit for him who is graciousto the poor.
Woeto me, my mother,that you have borneme [As] a manof strifeand a manof contentionto allthe land!I have not lent,norhave men lentmoney to me, [Yet] everyonecursesme.
he lends[money] on interestand takesincrease;will he live?He will not live!He has committedalltheseabominations,he will surelybe putto death;his bloodwill be on his own head.
he keepshis handfrom the poor,does not takeinterestor increase,[but] executesMy ordinances,and walksin My statutes;he will not diefor his father'siniquity,he will surelylive.
if a mandoes not oppressanyone, but restoresto the debtorhis pledge,does not commitrobbery,[but] giveshis breadto the hungryand coversthe nakedwith clothing,
if he does not lend[money] on interestor takeincrease,[if] he keepshis handfrom iniquity[and] executestrue~justicebetweenmanand man,
"In you they have takenbribesto shedblood;you have takeninterestand profits,and you have injuredyour neighborsfor gainby oppression,and you have forgottenMe," declaresthe LordGOD.
"On garmentstakenas pledgesthey stretchout besideeveryaltar,And in the houseof their Godthey drinkthe wineof those who have been fined.
Thenyou oughtto have putmy moneyin the bank,and on my arrivalI would have received my [money] backwith interest.
Thenwhydid you not putmy moneyin the bank,and having come,I would have collectedit with interest?'
"Ifthere is a poormanwith you, oneof your brothers,in anyof your townsin your landwhichthe LORDyour Godis givingyou, you shall not hardenyour heart,norcloseyour handfrom your poorbrother;
"When the sungoesdown you shall surelyreturnthe pledgeto him, that he may sleepin his cloakand blessyou; and it will be righteousnessfor you beforethe LORDyour God.
