1[1] “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. (2Sa 12:6; Pr 6:31; Lu 19:8)2[2] If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, (Mt 24:43)3but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He[3] shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. (Ex 21:2)4If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double. (Ex 21:16; Ex 22:1)5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.6“If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.7“If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. (Ex 22:4)8If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property.9For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.10“If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it,11an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. (Heb 6:16)12But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. (Ge 31:39)13If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.14“If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution.15If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.[4]
Laws About Social Justice
16“If a man seduces a virgin[5] who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price[6] for her and make her his wife. (De 22:28)17If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins. (Ge 34:12; Ex 22:16; 1Sa 18:25)18“You shall not permit a sorceress to live. (Le 19:26; Le 19:31; Le 20:27; De 18:10; 1Sa 28:3; 1Sa 28:9)19“Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. (Le 18:23; Le 20:15; De 27:21)20“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.[7] (Nu 25:2; Nu 25:7; De 13:1; De 17:2; Jos 23:16)21“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Ex 23:9; Le 19:33; De 10:18; Jer 7:6; Zec 7:10; Mal 3:5)22You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. (De 24:17; De 27:19; Ps 94:6; Isa 1:17; Isa 1:23; Isa 10:2; Eze 22:7; Zec 7:10; Jas 1:27)23If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, (Job 34:28; Ps 18:6; Ps 145:19; Lu 18:7; Jas 5:4)24and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. (Ps 109:9; La 5:3)25“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. (Le 25:35; De 23:19; Ne 5:7; Ps 15:5; Pr 28:8; Eze 18:8; Eze 18:13; Eze 18:17; Eze 22:12)26If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, (De 24:13; De 24:17; Pr 20:16; Pr 22:27; Eze 18:7; Eze 18:16; Am 2:8)27for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. (Ex 22:23; Ex 34:6; 2Ch 30:9; Ne 9:17)28“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. (2Sa 19:21; Ec 10:20; Ac 23:5; Jud 1:8)29“You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. (Ex 13:2)30You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me. (Le 22:27; De 15:19)31“You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. (Ex 19:6; Le 11:44; Le 22:8; Eze 4:14; Eze 44:31; Mt 7:6)
Exodus 22
New International Version
Protection of property
1[1] ‘Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.2‘If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;3but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed. ‘Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution, but if they have nothing, they must be sold to pay for their theft.4If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession – whether ox or donkey or sheep – they must pay back double.5‘If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution from the best of their own field or vineyard.6‘If a fire breaks out and spreads into thorn-bushes so that it burns sheaves of corn or standing corn or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.7‘If anyone gives a neighbour silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbour’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.8But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges, and they must[2] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property.9In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, “This is mine,” both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.[3] The one whom the judges declare[4] guilty must pay back double to the other.10‘If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbour for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no-one is looking,11the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the Lord that the neighbour did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required.12But if the animal was stolen from the neighbour, restitution must be made to the owner.13If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbour shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.14‘If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbour and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.15But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.
Social responsibility
16‘If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife.17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.18‘Do not allow a sorceress to live.19‘Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death.20‘Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.[5]21‘Do not ill-treat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.22‘Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.23If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.24My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.25‘If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.26If you take your neighbour’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,27because that cloak is the only covering your neighbour has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.28‘Do not blaspheme God[6] or curse the ruler of your people.29‘Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.[7] ‘You must give me the firstborn of your sons.30Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.31‘You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.
Exodus 22
King James Version
1If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.2If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.3If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.4If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.5If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man' field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.6If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith ; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.7If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man' house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.8If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.9For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.10If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it :11Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof , and he shall not make it good.12And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.13If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.14And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.15But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing , it came for his hire.16And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.17If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.19Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.20He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.21Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.22Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.23If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill 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 by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.26If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:27For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.28Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.29Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.30Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.31And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
Exodus 22
New International Reader’s Version
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 corn or corn 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 neighbour silver or other things to keep safe. And suppose they are stolen from the neighbour’s house. The thief, if caught, must pay back twice as much as was stolen.8But suppose the thief is not found. Then the neighbour must go to the judges. They will decide whether the neighbour 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 neighbour 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 neighbour says, “I didn’t steal your property.” Then the owner must accept what the neighbour says. No payment is required.12But suppose the animal really was stolen. Then the neighbour must pay the owner back.13Or suppose it was torn to pieces by a wild animal. Then the neighbour must bring in what is left as proof. No payment is required.14‘Suppose someone borrows an animal from their neighbour. 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 neighbour 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 neighbour 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 eldest 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.