^2 (A)If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you for six years. In the seventh year he is to be set free without having to pay anything. ³ If he was unmarried when he became your slave, he is not to take a wife with him when he leaves; but if he was married when he became your slave, he may take his wife with him. ⁴ If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to the master, and the man is to leave by himself. ⁵ But if the slave declares that he loves his master, his wife, and his children and does not want to be set free, ⁶ then his master shall take him to the place of worship. There he is to make him stand against the door or the doorpost and put a hole through his ear. Then he will be his slave for life.

The Treatment of Slaves^(A)

^12 (B)“If any Israelites, male or female, sell themselves^[a] to you as slaves, you are to release them after they have served you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must let them go free. ¹³ When you set them free, do not send them away empty-handed. ¹⁴ Give to them generously from what the Lord has blessed you with—sheep, grain, and wine. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God set you free; that is why I am now giving you this command.

¹⁶ “But your slave may not want to leave; he may love you and your family and be content to stay. ¹⁷ Then take him to the door of your house and there pierce his ear; he will then be your slave for life. Treat your female slave in the same way. ¹⁸ Do not be resentful when you set slaves free; after all, they have served you for six years at half the cost of hired servants.^[b] Do this, and the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.