15. Remember how each of you were slaves in Egypt and how the Lord your God saved you. That’s why I am commanding you to do this right now. (
16. Now if your male servant says to you: "I don’t want to leave your service" because he loves you and your family and because life is good for him in your service,
17. then you may take a needle and pierce his ear with it into the doorframe. From that point on, he will be your permanent servant. Do the same thing for female servants.)