Exodus 22

Restitution for Theft

1“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he will make restitution of five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. 2If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguilt for him. 3But if the sun has risen upon him, there will be bloodguilt for him. The thief will surely make restitution. If he has nothing, then he will be sold for his theft. 4If the stolen animal is found alive in his hand, whether ox, donkey, or sheep, he will make double restitution.

Damage to Fields and Property

5“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over and lets his livestock loose so that it grazes in another’s field, he will make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard. 6If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that stacked grain, standing grain, or a field is consumed, the one who started the fire will surely make restitution.

Property Entrusted to Another

7“If a man gives his neighbor silver or goods to keep and it is stolen from the man’s house, if the thief is found, he will make double restitution. 8If the thief is not found, then the owner of the house will be brought before God to determine whether he has stretched out his hand against his neighbor’s property. 9For every matter of transgression concerning an ox, donkey, sheep, garment, or any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties will come before God. The one whom God declares guilty will make double restitution to his neighbor. 10If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, ox, sheep, or any animal to keep and it dies, is injured, or is driven away when no one sees, 11an oath before the LORD will be between them to determine whether he stretched out his hand against his neighbor’s property. Its owner will accept this, and the other will not make restitution. 12But if it was truly stolen from him, he will make restitution to its owner. 13If it was torn apart, he will bring it as evidence. He will not make restitution for what was torn.

Borrowed Animals

14“If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he will surely make restitution. 15If its owner is with it, he will not make restitution. If it was hired, the loss is covered by its hire.

Seduction and Other Covenant Laws

16“If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he will surely pay the bride-price for her to become his wife. 17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he will weigh out silver according to the bride-price for virgins. 18You will not allow a sorceress to live. 19Whoever lies with an animal will surely be put to death. 20Whoever sacrifices to a god other than the LORD alone will be devoted to destruction.

Do Not Oppress the Vulnerable

21“You will not wrong a resident alien or oppress him, for you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt. 22You will not afflict any widow or orphan. 23If you do afflict them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. 24My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives will become widows and your children orphans.

Lending to the Poor

25“If you lend silver to my people, to the poor among you, you will not be to him like a creditor. You will not impose interest upon him. 26If you take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you will return it to him before the sun goes down, 27for that is his only covering; it is his garment for his body. In what will he sleep? And when he cries to me, I will hear, for I am gracious.

Honor God and Give the Firstborn

28“You will not revile God, and you will not curse a leader among your people. 29You will not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the flow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you will give to me. 30You will do likewise with your oxen and sheep. Seven days it will be with its mother; on the eighth day you will give it to me. 31You will be holy people to me. Therefore you will not eat flesh torn by animals in the field; you will throw it to the dogs.