15 " You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. 16 "He shall live with you in your midst , in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. 17 " None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute , nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute . 18 "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering , for both e of these are an abomination to the Lord your God . 19 " You shall not charge interest to your countrymen : interest on money , food , or anything that may be loaned at interest 20 " You may charge interest to a foreigner , but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest , so that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess . 21 " When you make a vow to the Lord your God , you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the Lord your God will surely require it of you 22 "However, if you refrain from vowing , it would not be sin in you. 23 "You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips , just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God , what you have promised . 24 "When you enter your neighbor's vineyard , then you may eat grapes until you are fully satisfied , but you shall not put any in your basket . 25 " When you enter your neighbor's standing grain , then you may pluck the heads with your hand , but you shall not wield a sickle in your neighbor's standing grain .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:15-25
Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:15-25
(Read Deuteronomy 23:15-25)
It is honourable to shelter and protect the weak, provided they are not wicked. Proselytes and converts to the truth, should be treated with particular tenderness, that they may have no temptation to return to the world. We cannot honour God with our substance, unless it be honestly and honourably come by. It must not only be considered what we give, but how we got it. Where the borrower gets, or hopes to get, it is just that the lender should share the gain; but to him that borrows for necessary food, pity must be showed. That which is gone out of thy lips, as a solemn and deliberate vow, must not be recalled, but thou shalt keep and perform it punctually and fully. They were allowed to pluck and eat of the corn or grapes that grew by the road side; only they must not carry any away. This law intimated what great plenty of corn and wine they should have in Canaan. It provided for the support of poor travellers, and teaches us to be kind to such, teaches us to be ready to distribute, and not to think every thing lost that is given away. Yet it forbids us to abuse the kindness of friends, or to take advantage of what is allowed. Faithfulness to their engagements should mark the people of God; and they should never encroach upon others.