“ The people around us will bring goods and grain to sell on the Sabbath day. But we won’t buy anything from them on the Sabbath day. In fact, we won’t buy anything from them on any holy day. Every seventh year we won’t farm the land. And we’ll forgive people what they owe us.

这地的居民若在安息日，或什么圣日，带了货物或粮食来卖给我们，我们必不买。每逢第七年必不耕种，凡欠我们债的必不追讨。

这地的民族若在安息日，或什么圣日，带了货物或粮食来卖，我们必不买。每逢第七年必不耕种，凡欠我们债的必不追讨。

这地的民族若在安息日，或什么圣日，带了货物或粮食来卖，我们必不买。每逢第七年必不耕种，凡欠我们债的必不追讨。

如果这地方的居民在安息日或其他圣日带来货物和五谷要卖给我们，我们必不购买。我们每逢第七年必不耕种，也必不追讨债务。

如果这地的外族人带来货物或五谷，在安息日贩卖，我们在安息日或圣日决不向他们买什么；每逢第七年，我们必不耕种田地，并且豁免一切债务。

這地的居民若在安息日，或甚麼聖日，帶了貨物或糧食來賣給我們，我們必不買。每逢第七年必不耕種，凡欠我們債的必不追討。

這地的民族若在安息日，或甚麼聖日，帶了貨物或糧食來賣，我們必不買。每逢第七年必不耕種，凡欠我們債的必不追討。

這地的民族若在安息日，或甚麼聖日，帶了貨物或糧食來賣，我們必不買。每逢第七年必不耕種，凡欠我們債的必不追討。

如果這地方的居民在安息日或其他聖日帶來貨物和五穀要賣給我們，我們必不購買。我們每逢第七年必不耕種，也必不追討債務。

如果這地的外族人帶來貨物或五穀，在安息日販賣，我們在安息日或聖日決不向他們買甚麼；每逢第七年，我們必不耕種田地，並且豁免一切債務。

這地別族之民若在安息之日帶了外貨、就是穀子、來賣，我們在安息日或是任何聖日都決不可向他們買。我們一定要放棄第七年的收穫、以及每一個債主的債權。

如斯土之民於安息日、攜貨物糧食而鬻之、我儕於安息日、或聖日、必不購之、每屆七年、休息土壤、貸金者豁免之、

如異邦人、於安息日、或節期攜貨財食物、欲鬻於我、則我必不可購、七年一休息、不耕穫、貸金者不復索取。

不以我女嫁異邦人、不為我子娶異邦人之女、

“ When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.

And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.

“ We also promise that if the people of the land should bring any merchandise or grain to be sold on the Sabbath or on any other holy day, we will refuse to buy it. Every seventh year we will let our land rest, and we will cancel all debts owed to us.

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.

As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day; and we will forgo the crops of the seventh year and every debt.

if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt.

and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

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.

And[ if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell,[ that] we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and[ that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

We will not buy on the Sabbath or on a holy day from the neighboring peoples who bring their wares and all kinds of grain to sell on the Sabbath day. We will let the fields lie fallow every seventh year, and we will cancel every loan.

and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

“ For six years plant your fields and gather your crops.But during the seventh year do not plow your land or use it. Then the poor people among you can get food from it. The wild animals can eat what is left over. Do the same thing with your vineyards and your groves of olive trees.

“‘ There are six days when you can work. But the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest. You must rest on it. Come together on that sacred day. You must not do any work on it. No matter where you live, it is a Sabbath day to honor the Lord.

In those days I saw some people of Judah stomping on grapes in winepresses. They were doing it on the Sabbath day. Other people were bringing in grain. They were loading it on donkeys. Still other people were loading up wine, grapes, figs and other kinds of things. They were bringing all of it into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them not to sell food on that day.People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish. In fact, they were bringing in all kinds of goods. They were selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. The people of Judah were buying them.I gave a warning to the nobles of Judah. I said,“ Why are you doing such an evil thing? You are misusing the Sabbath day!Your people of long ago did the very same things. That’s why our God has brought all this trouble on us. That’s why he’s making this city suffer so much. Now you are making him even angrier against Israel. You are misusing the Sabbath day.”Evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath day started. So I ordered the gates to be shut. They had to remain closed until the Sabbath day was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates. I told them not to let anything be brought in on the Sabbath day.Once or twice some traders and sellers spent the night outside Jerusalem. They were hoping to sell all kinds of goods.But I gave them a warning. I said,“ Why are you spending the night by the wall? If you do this again, I’ll arrest you.” So from that time on they didn’t come on the Sabbath day anymore.I commanded the Levites to make themselves pure. Then I told them to go and guard the gates. I wanted the Sabbath day to be kept holy. You are my God. Remember me because of the good things I’ve done. Be kind to me according to your great love.

But the seventh day is a sabbath to honor the Lord your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your towns.

“ Here is the way I want you to fast.“ Set free those who are held by chains without any reason. Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves. Set free those who are crushed. Break every evil chain.

Some men and their wives cried out against their Jewish brothers and sisters.Some of them were saying,“ There are now many of us. We have many sons and daughters. We have to get some grain so we can eat and stay alive.”Others were saying,“ We’re being forced to sell our fields, vineyards and homes. We have to do it to buy grain. There isn’t enough food for everyone.”Still others were saying,“ We’ve had to borrow money. We needed it to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.We belong to the same family lines as the rest of our people. Our children are as good as theirs. But we’ve had to sell them off as slaves. Some of our daughters have already been made slaves. But we can’t do anything about it. That’s because our fields and vineyards now belong to others.”I heard them when they cried out. And I was very angry when I heard what they were saying.I thought it over for a while. Then I accused the nobles and officials of breaking the law. I told them,“ You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large group of people to handle the matter.I said,“ Our Jewish brothers and sisters were sold to other nations. We’ve done everything we could to buy them back and bring them home. But look at what you are doing! You are actually selling your own people! Now we’ll have to buy them back too!” The people kept quiet. They couldn’t think of anything to say.So I continued,“ What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you show respect for our God? Shouldn’t you live in a way that will keep our enemies from saying bad things about us?I’m lending the people money and grain. So are my relatives and my men. But we must stop charging interest!Give the people’s fields back to them. Give them back their vineyards, olive groves and houses. Do it right away. Give everything back to them. Also give them back the one percent on the money, grain, fresh wine and olive oil you have charged them.”“ We’ll give it back,” they said.“ And we won’t require anything more from them. We’ll do exactly as you say.” Then I sent for the priests. I made the nobles and officials promise to do what they had said.I also shook out my pockets and emptied them. I said,“ Someone might decide not to keep this promise they have made. If that happens, may God shake them out of their house! May he empty them of everything they own!” The whole community said,“ Amen.” They praised the Lord. And the leaders did what they had promised to do.

The land of Israel enjoyed its sabbath years. It rested. That deserted land wasn’t farmed for a full 70 years. What the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah came true.

The Lord spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai. He said,“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ You will enter the land I am going to give you. When you do, you must honor the Lord every seventh year by not farming the land that year.For six years plant your fields. Trim the branches in your vineyards and gather your crops.But the seventh year must be a year of sabbath rest for the land. The land must rest during it. It is a sabbath year to honor the Lord. Do not plant your fields. Do not trim the branches in your vineyards.Do not gather what grows without being planted. And do not gather the grapes from the vines you have not taken care of. The land must have a year of rest.Anything the land produces during the sabbath year will be food for you. It will be for you and your male and female servants. Your hired workers will eat it. So will people who live with you for a while.And so will your livestock and the wild animals that are in your land. Anything the land produces can be eaten.

Those who have not shown mercy will not receive mercy when they are judged. To show mercy is better than to judge.

His master felt sorry for him. He forgave him what he owed and let him go.“ But then that servant went out and found one of the other servants who owed him 100 silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him.‘ Pay back what you owe me!’ he said.“ The other servant fell on his knees.‘ Give me time,’ he begged him.‘ I’ll pay it back.’“ But the first servant refused. Instead, he went and had the man thrown into prison. The man would be held there until he could pay back what he owed.The other servants saw what had happened and were very angry. They went and told their master everything that had happened.“ Then the master called the first servant in.‘ You evil servant,’ he said.‘ I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to.Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?’In anger his master handed him over to the jailers. He would be punished until he paid back everything he owed.“ This is how my Father in heaven will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

“ Here is a law for you that will last for all time to come. On the tenth day of the seventh month you must not eat anything. You must not do any work. It does not matter whether you are Israelites or outsiders.

Suppose someone is poor among you. And suppose they live in one of the towns in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Then don’t be mean to them. They are poor. So don’t hold back money from them.Instead, open your hands and lend them what they need. Do it freely.Be careful not to have an evil thought in your mind. Don’t say to yourself,“ The seventh year will soon be here. It’s the year for forgiving people what they owe.” If you think like that, you might treat the needy people among you badly. You might not give them anything. Then they might make their appeal to the Lord against you. And he will find you guilty of sin.

At the end of every seven years you must forgive people what they owe you.Have you made a loan to one of your own people? Then forgive what is owed to you. You can’t require that person to pay you back. The Lord’ s time to forgive what is owed has been announced.You can require someone from another nation to pay you back. But you must forgive what any of your own people owes you.

And forgive us our sins, just as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.

On the first day you must come together for a special service. Do not do any regular work on that day.On each of the seven days bring a food offering to the Lord. On the eighth day come together for a special service. Bring a food offering to the Lord. That special service is the closing service. Do not do any regular work on that day.

On the first and seventh days, come together for a sacred assembly. Do not work at all on these days. The only thing you are allowed to do is prepare food for everyone to eat.

On that same day tell the people that they must come together for a special worship service. They must not do any regular work. That is a law that will last for all time to come. It applies no matter where you live.

The Lord says,“ Make sure you do not carry a load on the Sabbath day. Do not bring it through the gates of Jerusalem.Do not bring a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day. Do not do any work on that day. Instead, keep the Sabbath day holy. Do as I commanded your people of long ago.

So don’t let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don’t let anyone judge you about holy days. I’m talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days.

“ Keep the Sabbath day holy. Do this just as the Lord your God has commanded you.Do all your work in six days.But the seventh day is a sabbath to honor the Lord your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen, your donkeys and your other animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your towns. I want your male and female servants to rest, just as you do.

“ Do not work on the Sabbath day. Do not do just anything you want to on my holy day. Make the Sabbath a day you can enjoy. Honor the Lord’ s holy day. Do not work on it. Do not do just anything you want to. Do not talk about things that are worthless.Then you will find your joy in me. I will give you control over the most important places in the land. And you will enjoy all the good things in the land I gave your father Jacob.” The Lord has spoken.