- 1
- "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it,
- he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
- 2
- "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies,
- the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;
- 3
- but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.
- "A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing,
- he must be sold to pay for his theft.
- 4
- "If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession--
- whether ox or donkey or sheep--he must pay back double.
- 5
- "If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard
- and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field,
- he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
- 6
- "If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes
- so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field,
- the one who started the fire must make restitution.
- 7
- "If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping
- and they are stolen from the neighbor's house,
- the thief, if he is caught, must pay back double.
- 8
- But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges
- to determine whether he has laid his hands on the other man's property.
- 9
- In 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.
- The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.
- 10
- "If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to his neighbor
- for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking,
- 11
- the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD
- that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person's property.
- The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required.
- 12
- But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.
- 13
- If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, he shall bring in the remains
- as evidence and he will not be required to pay for the torn animal.
- 14
- "If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies
- while the owner is not present, he must make restitution.
- 15
- But 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.
- 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.
- 17
- If 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 must be put to death.
- 20
- "Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
- 21
- "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.
- 22
- "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.
- 23
- If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
- 24
- My 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 be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.
- 26
- If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset,
- 27
- because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body.
- What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me,
- I will hear, for I am compassionate.
- 28
- "Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
- 29
- "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.
- "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.
- 30
- Do 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.
