Translations
Modern
You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.
Traditional
Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Literal
To a foreigner you may lend in usury, and to your brother you may not lend in usury, so that YHWH your God may bless you in all to which you set your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.
Latin
…sed alieno. Fratri autem tuo absque usura id quo indiget, commodabis: ut benedicat tibi Dominus Deus tuus in omni opere tuo in terra, ad quam ingredieris possidendam.
Original
Hebrew
English
You may charge a foreigner interest, but not your brother, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything to which you put your hand in the land that you are entering to possess.
Notes
The word translated as interest is related to a noun meaning "bite." Charging interest was like "biting" the debtor. See also Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37; Nehemiah 5:1–13; Psalm 15:5.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Borrow, Borrowing Covenant Credit, Creditor Debt Deuteronomy, Book of
Topics
Aliens: Jews Authorized to Take Usury From Bankruptcy Charging Interest Creditor: Laws Concerning Creditors: Might Take Interest from Strangers Interest Lending: General Scriptures Concerning Loaning Money Strangers in Israel: Laws Respecting: The Jews Might Take Usury From Strangers: Mosaic Law Relating to Usury of Usury or Interest: The Jews: Allowed to Take, from Strangers Usury: Authorized, of Strangers (Foreigners)