Exodus 22

Laws of Restitution

1 # 22.1 Ch 21.37 in Heb When someone steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, the thief shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.#22.1 Verses 2, 3, and 4 rearranged thus: 3b, 4, 2, 3a 3b (3b) The thief shall make restitution, but if unable to do so, shall be sold for the theft. 2 (4) When the animal, whether ox or donkey or sheep, is found alive in the thief's possession, the thief shall pay double.

3 # 22.3 Ch 22.1 in Heb If a thief is found breaking in, and is beaten to death, no bloodguilt is incurred; 4 (3a) but if it happens after sunrise, bloodguilt is incurred.

5When someone causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets livestock loose to graze in someone else's field, restitution shall be made from the best in the owner's field or vineyard.

6When fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, the one who started the fire shall make full restitution.

7When someone delivers to a neighbor money or goods for safekeeping, and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, then the thief, if caught, shall pay double. 8If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house shall be brought before God,#22.8 Or before the judges to determine whether or not the owner had laid hands on the neighbor's goods.

9In any case of disputed ownership involving ox, donkey, sheep, clothing, or any other loss, of which one party says, “This is mine,” the case of both parties shall come before God;#22.9 Or before the judges the one whom God condemns#22.9 Or the judges condemn shall pay double to the other.

10When someone delivers to another a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal for safekeeping, and it dies or is injured or is carried off, without anyone seeing it, 11an oath before the Lord shall decide between the two of them that the one has not laid hands on the property of the other; the owner shall accept the oath, and no restitution shall be made. 12But if it was stolen, restitution shall be made to its owner. 13If it was mangled by beasts, let it be brought as evidence; restitution shall not be made for the mangled remains.

14When someone borrows an animal from another and it is injured or dies, the owner not being present, full restitution shall be made. 15If the owner was present, there shall be no restitution; if it was hired, only the hiring fee is due.

Social and Religious Laws

16When a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married, and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. 17But if her father refuses to give her to him, he shall pay an amount equal to the bride-price for virgins.

18You shall not permit a female sorcerer to live.

19Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.

20Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.

21You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 22You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. 23If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; 24my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

25If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. 26If you take your neighbor's cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; 27for it may be your neighbor's only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbor cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate.

28You shall not revile God, or curse a leader of your people.

29You shall not delay to make offerings from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.#22.29 Meaning of Heb uncertain

The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall remain with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

31You shall be people consecrated to me; therefore you shall not eat any meat that is mangled by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

Currently Selected:

Exodus 22: NRSV-CI

Highlight

Copy

Compare

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About New Revised Standard Version Catholic Interconfessional

Exodus 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.

Currently Selected:

Highlight

Copy

Compare

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®

Learn More About New International Reader’s Version