USURY
As employed in our version of the Bible, means only interest. When our translation was made, the word usury had not assumed the bad sense which it now has. The Jews might require interest of foreigners, Deuteronomy 1:23-20, but were forbidden to receive it from each other, Exodus 22:25 Psalms 15:5; being instructed to lend money, etc., in a spirit of brotherly kindness, "hoping for nothing again," Deuteronomy 1:15-11 Luke 1:6-35. The exacting of usury is often rebuked, Nehemiah 5:7, Nehemiah 1:5 Proverbs 28:8 Ezekiel 1:22-14. The Mosaic code was adapted to a non-commercial people, but its principles of equity and charity are of perpetual and universal obligation.