Deuteronomy 15:17
Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
The statute of the pierced ear stands among the Scriptures that enjoin mercy, compassion, and tenderness in dealing with others. It directs that the claim of a master over a servant be governed by kindness rather than by harsh exaction. Its counsel bears directly on the duty to do what is right when a brother is unable to pay a debt. There the requirement is not to press advantage but to act with a merciful and considerate spirit.