Exodus 22
22
Laws About Keeping Property Safe
1“Suppose someone steals an ox or a sheep. And suppose that person kills it or sells it. Then the thief must pay back five oxen for the ox. Or the thief must pay back four sheep for the sheep.
2“Suppose you catch a thief breaking into your house at night. And suppose you hit the thief and the thief dies. Then you are not guilty of murder. 3But suppose it happens after the sun has come up. Then you are guilty of murder.
“Anyone who steals must pay for whatever they steal. But suppose the thief does not have anything. Then the thief must be sold to pay for what was stolen. 4What if the stolen ox, donkey or sheep is found alive with the thief? Then the thief must pay back twice as much.
5“Suppose someone lets their livestock eat grass in someone else’s field or vineyard. Then they must pay that person back from the best crops of their own field or vineyard.
6“Suppose a fire breaks out and spreads into bushes. Suppose it burns cut and stacked grain or grain that is still growing. Or suppose it burns the whole field. Then the one who started the fire must pay for the loss.
7“Suppose someone gives a neighbor silver or other things to keep safe. And suppose they are stolen from the neighbor’s house. The thief, if caught, must pay back twice as much as was stolen. 8But suppose the thief is not found. Then the neighbor must go to the judges. They will decide whether the neighbor has stolen the other person’s property. 9Suppose you have an ox, donkey, sheep or clothing that does not belong to you. Or you have other property lost by someone else. And suppose someone says, ‘That belongs to me.’ Then both people must bring their case to the judges. The one the judges decide is guilty must pay back twice as much to the other person.
10“Suppose someone asks their neighbor to take care of a donkey, ox, sheep or any other animal. And suppose the animal dies or gets hurt. Or suppose it is stolen while no one is looking. 11Then the problem will be settled by promising the Lord to tell the truth. Suppose the neighbor says, ‘I didn’t steal your property.’ Then the owner must accept what the neighbor says. No payment is required. 12But suppose the animal really was stolen. Then the neighbor must pay the owner back. 13Or suppose it was torn to pieces by a wild animal. Then the neighbor must bring in what is left as proof. No payment is required.
14“Suppose someone borrows an animal from their neighbor. And it gets hurt or dies while the owner is not there. Then the borrower must pay for it. 15But suppose the owner is with the animal. Then the borrower will not have to pay. If the borrower hired the animal, the money paid to hire it covers the loss.
Laws About Social Problems
16“Suppose a man meets a virgin who is not engaged. And he talks her into having sex with him. Then he must pay her father the price for a bride. And he must marry her. 17But suppose her father absolutely refuses to give her to him. Then he must still pay the price for getting married to a virgin.
18“Do not let a woman who does evil magic stay alive. Put her to death.
19“Anyone who has sex with an animal must be put to death.
20“Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.
21“Do not treat outsiders badly. Do not give them a hard time. Remember, you were outsiders in Egypt.
22“Do not take advantage of widows. Do not take advantage of children whose fathers have died. 23If you do, they might cry out to me. I will certainly hear them. 24And I will get angry. I will kill you with a sword. Your wives will become widows. Your children’s fathers will die.
25“Suppose you lend money to one of my people among you who is in need. Then do not treat it like a business deal. Do not charge any interest at all. 26Suppose your neighbor owes you money and gives you a coat as a promise to pay it back. Then return it by sunset. 27That coat is the only thing your neighbor owns to wear or sleep in. When they cry out to me, I will listen, because I am loving and kind.
28“Do not speak evil things against God. Do not curse the ruler of your people.
29“Do not keep for yourself your grain offerings or wine offerings.
“You must give me the oldest of your sons. 30Do the same with your cattle and sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days. But give them to me on the eighth day.
31“I want you to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of any animal that has been torn by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.
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Exodus 22: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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Exodus 22
22
1If any man steal an ox or a sheep, and kill or sell it: he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.
2If a thief be found breaking open a house or undermining it, and be wounded so as to die: he that slew him shall not be guilty of blood.
3But if he did this when the sun is risen, he hath committed murder, and he shall die. If he have not wherewith to make restitution for the theft, he shall be sold.
4If that which he stole be found with him, alive, either ox, or ass, or sheep: he shall restore double.
5If any man hurt a field or a vineyard, and put in his beast to feed upon that which is other men's: he shall restore the best of whatsoever he hath in his own field, or in his vineyard, according to the estimation of the damage.
6If a fire breaking out light upon thorns, and catch stacks of corn, or corn standing in the fields, he that kindled the fire shall make good the loss.
7If a man deliver money, or any vessel unto his friend to keep, and they be stolen away from him that received them: if the thief be found he shall restore double.
8If the thief be not known, the master of the house shall be brought to the gods, and shall swear that he did not lay his hand upon his neighbour's goods,
9To do any fraud, either in ox, or in ass, or sheep, or raiment, or any thing that may bring damage. The cause of both parties shall come to the gods: and if they give judgment, he shall restore double to his neighbour.
10If a man deliver ass, ox, sheep, or any beast, to his neighbour's custody, and it die, or be hurt, or be taken by enemies, and no man saw it:
11There shall be an oath between them, that he did not put forth his hand to his neighbour's goods. And the owner shall accept of the oath: and he shall not be compelled to make restitution.
12But if it were taken away by stealth: he shall make the loss good to the owner.
13If it were eaten by a beast: let him bring to him that which was slain, and he shall not make restitution.
14If a man borrow of his neighbour any of these things, and it be hurt or die, the owner not being present: he shall be obliged to make restitution.
15But if the owner be present, he shall not make restitution: especially if it were hired and came for the hire of his work.
16If a man seduce a virgin not yet espoused, and lie with her: he shall endow her, and have her to wife.
17If the maid's father will not give her to him, he shall give money according to the dowry, which virgins are wont to receive.
18Wizards thou shalt not suffer to live.
19Whosoever copulateth with a beast shall be put to death.
20He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord.
21Thou shalt not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.
23If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry:
24And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwelleth with thee: thou shalt not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries.
26If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge: thou shalt give it him again before sunset.
27For that same is the only thing wherewith he is covered, the clothing of his body: neither hath he any other to sleep in. If he cry to me, I will hear him, because I am compassionate.
28Thou shalt not speak ill of the gods: and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse.
29Thou shalt not delay to pay thy tithes and thy firstfruits. Thou shalt give the firstborn of thy sons to me.
30Thou shalt do the same with the firstborn of thy oxen also and sheep: seven days let it be with its dam, the eighth day thou shalt give it to me.
31You shall be holy men to me: the flesh that beasts have tasted of before, you shall not eat, but shall cast it to the dogs.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.