Definition: If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 15:7. It's a really important part of how God wants us to treat our neighbors – and it’s about fairness and responsibility. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that if you find someone who is struggling, particularly one of your own family members (a brother), within your community or land, you must not be harsh or dismissive of them. You have a responsibility to help them. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “If there be among you a poor man…” : This tells us we're looking at someone who is facing hardship – maybe they are struggling financially, or perhaps they are in need of assistance. “…within any of your brethren” : This means any member of your family (or community) could be that person. It’s not limited to just one specific individual. “…in your land…” : This is crucial – it's happening on your own property . It’s about a neighbor living near you, within the boundaries of your territory. “…the LORD thy God giveth thee” : This emphasizes that this situation is blessed by God. It’s not something you have to deal with without His permission or guidance. “Thou shalt not harden thine heart…” : This is the key part. “Harden your heart” means becoming angry, judgmental, or refusing to help someone. It's about being inflexible and closed off. “…nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:” : This means don’t refuse to offer assistance . Don’t turn a blind eye or ignore their need. "Shut thine hand" is like closing your fist – you don’t want to prevent them from receiving help. What does it mean for us? Essentially, the verse encourages us to be compassionate and generous towards those in our community. It's about recognizing that everyone needs help sometimes, especially when they are struggling. It’s a reminder of God’s care for all people. In short: God wants us to treat our neighbors with kindness and generosity, particularly when they are facing hardship. We must show them compassion and offer help if we can. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse in more detail? Give an example of how this principle might be applied in a real-life situation?