14 “At the end of ^aseven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who¹ has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.” But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear.  ‡

15 Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you ^amade a covenant before Me ^bin the house which is called by My name.  ‡

16 Then you turned around and ^aprofaned My name, and every one of you brought back his male and female slaves, whom you had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves.’  ‡

17 “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. ^aBehold, I proclaim liberty to you,’ says the Lord—^b‘to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to ^ctrouble among all the kingdoms of the earth.  ‡