Exodus 22:16-23:13

New International Reader's Version

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. ¹⁷ But 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. ²³ If you do, they might cry out to me. I will certainly hear them. ²⁴ And 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. ²⁶ Suppose your neighbor owes you money and gives you a coat as a promise to pay it back. Then return it by sunset. ²⁷ That coat is the only thing your neighbor 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 oldest of your sons. ³⁰ Do 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.

Laws About Mercy and Fairness

23 “Do not spread reports that are false. Do not help a guilty person by telling lies in court.

² “Do not follow the crowd when they do what is wrong. When you are a witness in court, do not turn what is right into what is wrong. Do not go along with the crowd. ³ Do not show favor to a poor person in court.

⁴ “Suppose you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away. Then be sure to return it. ⁵ Suppose you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has fallen down under its load. Then do not leave it there. Be sure you help them with it.

⁶ “Be fair to your poor people in their court cases. ⁷ Do not have anything to do with a false charge. Do not put to death people not guilty of doing anything wrong. I will not let guilty people go free.

⁸ “Do not take money from people who want special favors. It makes you blind to the truth. It twists the words of good people.

⁹ “Do not treat outsiders badly. You yourselves know how it feels to be outsiders. Remember, you were outsiders in Egypt.

Sabbath Laws

¹⁰ “For six years plant your fields and gather your crops. ¹¹ But during the seventh year do not plow your land or use it. Then the poor people among you can get food from it. The wild animals can eat what is left over. Do the same thing with your vineyards and your groves of olive trees.

¹² “Do all your work in six days. But do not do any work on the seventh day. Then your oxen and donkeys can rest. The slaves born in your house can be renewed. And so can the outsiders who live among you.

¹³ “Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not speak the names of other gods. Do not even let them be heard on your lips.