EXODUS 22

^a If a thief is caught digging through^b and is struck, and he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him.^c

If the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him - [the thief] must surely make repayment; if he has nothing, he shall be sold for his theft.

If the theft is certainly found in his hand, whether it is ox or ass, or member of the flock,^d [and they are] alive, he shall repay double.

When a man devastates a field or a vineyard, sending in his beast of burden and causing devastation^e in another's field, he shall make repayment from the best of his own field or from the best of his own vineyard.

When fire breaks out and catches hold of thorns, and a stack of grain is consumed, or standing grain, or a field, the one kindling what is kindled shall surely make repayment.

When a man delivers to his companion silver or vessels for safe keeping, and it is taken away by theft out of the man's house, if the thief is caught he shall repay double.

If the thief is not caught, the master of the house shall be brought to God^f [to see] whether or not he has put his hand into his companion's property.^g

For every matter of transgression - [whether it is] for an ox, for an ass, for a member of the flock, for clothing, [or] for anything that is lost, about which one says, This is it - the case^h of both parties shall come even to God,^f and the one whom God condemnsⁱ shall repay double to his companion.

When a man delivers to his companion an ass, or an ox, or a member of the flock, or any beast for safe keeping, and it dies or is broken,^j or is led away captive, and no one sees it,

An oath of Jehovah shall be between them both, [to see] whether or not its owner has put his hand into his companion's property^g and taken it; and [the other man] shall not make repayment.

But if it has indeed been taken away from him by theft, he shall make repayment to its owner.

If it has been torn to pieces, he shall bring it [as] witness;^k he shall not make repayment for what has been torn.

And when a man borrows something from his companion, and it is broken^j or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make repayment.

If its owner is with it, he shall not make repayment; if he is a hired servant he shall come in his hire.

When a man persuades a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay silver according to the dowry of virgins.

A sorceress you shall not keep alive.

Anyone lying with a beast shall surely die.

He who sacrifices to the gods shall be utterly destroyed - except to Jehovah alone.

And a sojourner you shall not afflict and shall not oppress, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Any widow or orphan you shall not afflict.

If you do indeed afflict him, and if he surely cries out to Me, I will surely hear his cry.

And My anger will blaze up, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives will become widows, and your sons orphans.

If you lend silver to My people, to the needy one with you, you shall not be like a money-lender to him; you shall not charge him interest.

If you ever take your companion's clothing as a pledge you shall restore it to him even at the going in of the sun.

For this is his only covering; it is his clothing for his skin, in which he may sleep; and it shall be, when he cries out to Me, that I shall hear, for I am merciful.

You shall not revile God, and you shall not curse a governor of your people.

You shall not be slow [to offer] the firstfruits of your grain and the firstfruits of your wine. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.

You shall do the same with your oxen, [and] with your flock. Seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

And men of holiness shall you be to Me. And you shall not eat flesh torn in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.^l

Notes