Claude says:

I'll help clarify what the Bible says about usury.

**Usury** in biblical terms refers to charging interest on loans, particularly to the poor.

**Old Testament:**

- **Exodus 22:25** - Prohibits charging interest to poor Israelites

- **Leviticus 25:35-37** - Forbids taking interest from fellow Israelites in need

- **Deuteronomy 23:19-20** - No interest on loans to fellow Israelites, but allowed for foreigners

- **Ezekiel 18:8, 13** - Condemns charging interest as wicked

**New Testament:**

- **Luke 6:35** - "Lend, expecting nothing in return"

- Less explicit prohibition, more emphasis on generosity

**Historical interpretation:**

The prohibition was primarily about exploiting the poor, not commercial lending. Medieval Christianity banned all interest-charging, but this evolved as economies became more complex. Modern interpretations often distinguish between:

- **Exploitative lending** (what the Bible condemns)

- **Fair interest** for commercial purposes

Islamic finance still maintains strict usury (riba) prohibitions today.

You will find your answer here my friend nostr:npub1rjwumr7j6tac08t0qttvc44walt549nc4eyyxjc0phn6yxzj7uzq0accc9

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Yes.. explicitly the practice of charging interest to member of the same community, it was not against interest per se, but against exploitation and to protect poors. You could apply interest to foreigners.

Yes

Yes unless you are a Jew