Exodus 22

VIN(i) 1 »A man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it. He must pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. 2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him. 3 If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox, a donkey or a sheep, he shall repay double. 5 " 'If a man grazes his livestock in a field or a vineyard and he releases his livestock and it grazes in the field of another, he will make restitution from the best of his field and the best of his vineyard. 6 "When a fire breaks out and spreads into thorn bushes and consumes stacked grain or standing grain or the field, the one who started the fire shall surely make restitution. 7 "When a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and it's stolen from the neighbor's house, the thief, if found, shall repay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall appear before the judges to see whether or not the thief took his neighbor's property. 9 "In every ownership dispute involving an ox, donkey, sheep, garment, or anything that is lost where a person says, 'This is mine,' the case between the two of them shall come before the judges, and the one that the judges declare guilty shall repay double to his neighbor. 10 "When a man gives a donkey or ox or sheep or any animal to his neighbor for safe keeping, and it dies or is injured or is driven away when no one is looking, 11 "The case between them must be settled by swearing an oath to the LORD that the neighbor did not take the other person's animal. The owner must accept the oath. The neighbor does not have to make up for the loss. 12 "However, if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make up for the owner's loss. 13 If it was torn to pieces, let the neighbor bring the remains as evidence, and he shall not make restitution for what was torn apart. 14 " 'If a man borrows from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he will make restitution. 15 »If the owner is with the animal, the borrower does not have to make up for the loss. If it is rented, the rental fee covers the loss. 16 "When a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married and lies with her, he must pay her bride-price, and she becomes his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay an amount equal to the bride-price for virgins. 18 You will not allow a sorceress to live. 19 "The person who has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death. 20 " 'Whoever sacrifices to the gods—not to Yahweh, to him alone—will be destroyed. 21 “You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. 22 "Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. 23 If you hurt them, they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry: 24 and My wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 25 "When you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest. 26 If you take your neighbor's coat as collateral, you shall return it to him by sunset, 27 because it is his only garment; it is his cloak for his skin. In what will he sleep? And when he cries out to me, I will hear, because I am gracious. 28 "You shall not blaspheme God or curse a ruler of your people. 29 "Do not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. Give the firstborn of your sons to me. 30 "Do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. Its mother may keep it for seven days. On the eighth day give it to me. 31 "You are to be my holy people. Do not eat any flesh torn to bits in the field. Throw it to the dogs.