12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
12 If the neighbor is poor, do not go to sleep with their pledge in your possession.
12 And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge.
12 And if he is destitute, don't use his cloak as a bedroll;
12 And if the man is poor, you shall not keep his pledge overnight.
12 If your neighbor is poor and gives you his cloak as security for a loan, do not keep the cloak overnight.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:12
Commentary on Deuteronomy 24:5-13
(Read Deuteronomy 24:5-13)
It is of great consequence that love be kept up between husband and wife; that they carefully avoid every thing which might make them strange one to another. Man-stealing was a capital crime, which could not be settled, as other thefts, by restitution. The laws concerning leprosy must be carefully observed. Thus all who feel their consciences under guilt and wrath, must not cover it, or endeavour to shake off their convictions; but by repentance, and prayer, and humble confession, take the way to peace and pardon. Some orders are given about pledges for money lent. This teaches us to consult the comfort and subsistence of others, as much as our own advantage. Let the poor debtor sleep in his own raiment, and praise God for thy kindness to him. Poor debtors ought to feel more than commonly they do, the goodness of creditors who do not take all the advantage of the law against them, nor should this ever be looked upon as weakness.