R. Eliezer says: This (inclusion) is not needed. If a Jew serves, how much more so a proselyte!—But perhaps (I would say) If a Jew serves six years, a proselyte should serve twelve years. Would you say this? "It suffices that the object of an a fortiori argument, (in this instance, a proselyte,) be like the subject" (a Jew), viz. Just as a Jew serves six (years), so, a proselyte. Because it is written (Exodus 22:2) "If he lacks it, he is to be sold for his theft," I might think (that he is sold) forever; it is, therefore, written "six years shall he serve," Scripture hereby apprising us that he serves for six years and goes free on the seventh.