One must not take either lower or upper millstones as security on a loan, for that is like taking a life itself as security. ¹ 

biblegateway Deu 24:6

"No one shall take a handmill or an upper millstone in pledge, for he would be taking a life in pledge.

"Do not take a pair of millstones or an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that is like taking a life as security.

Never let a family’s handmill for grinding flour––or even part of a handmill––be taken to guarantee a loan. The family wouldn’t be able to prepare food in order to stay alive.

biblegateway Deu 24:6

Do not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one— as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security.

"No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.

bibleoremus Deu 24:6

No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.

No one may take millstones, or even the upper millstone alone, in pledge; that would be taking a life in pledge.

biblegateway Deu 24:6

"No man shall take the lower or the upper millstone in pledge, for he takes one’s living in pledge.

No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge: for he taketh [a man’s] life to pledge.

biblegateway Deu 24:6

One must not take either lower or upper millstones as security on a loan, for that is like taking a life itself as security. ¹ 

¹ sn Taking millstones as security on a loan would amount to taking the owner’s own life in pledge, since the millstones were the owner’s means of earning a living and supporting his family.