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21 "Tani këto janë ligjet që do t’u vësh para tyre:

Në rast se blen një skllav hebre, ai do të të shërbejë gjashtë vjet; por vitin e shtatë do të shkojë i lirë, pa paguar asgjë.

Në rast se ka ardhur vetëm, do të shkojë vetëm; po të kishte grua, e shoqja do të shkojë bashkë me të.

Në qoftë se zotëria e tij i jep grua dhe kjo i lind bij e bija, gruaja dhe fëmijët e saj do të jenë të zotërisë, dhe ai do të shkojë vetëm.

Por në qoftë se skllavi thotë haptazi: "Unë e dua zotërinë time, gruan time dhe fëmijët e mi, dhe nuk dua të shkoj i lirë,"

atëherë pronari e tij do t’ia afrojë Perëndisë dhe do ta avitë te dera ose te shtalka; pastaj pronari e tij do t’i shpojë veshin me një fëndyell; dhe ai do t’i shërbejë për gjithnjë.

Në rast se dikush shet bijën e tij si shërbëtore, ajo nuk do të shkojë ashtu si shkojnë skllevërit.

Në qoftë se ajo nuk i pëlqen zotërisë së saj, që e kishte marrë për vete, ai do ta lërë të shpengohet; por nuk do të ketë të drejtën tua shesë njerëzve të huaj, sepse kjo do t’ishte ta trajtosh me mashtrim.

Dhe në qoftë se e marton me birin e tij, do ta trajtojë në bazë të së drejtës të të bijave.

10 Në rast se merr një grua tjetër, ai nuk do të pakësojë ushqimin dhe veshmbathjen e saj, as edhe bashkëbanimin e saj.

11 Në rast se nuk bën këto tri gjëra për të, ajo do të shkojë pa dhënë asgjë, pa paguar çmim.

12 Kush rreh një njeri dhe për këtë shkak ky vdes, do të dënohet me vdekje.

13 Në qoftë se nuk i ka ngritur kurrfarë prite, por Perëndia ka bërë që t’i bjerë në dorë, unë do të caktoj një vend ku ai mund të gjejë strehë.

14 Në qoftë se ndokush vepron me paramendim kundër të afërmit të tij për ta vrarë me mashtrim, ti do ta shkëputësh edhe nga altari im, për të siguruar vdekjen e tij.

15 Kush rreh atin ose nënën e tij do të dënohet me vdekje.

16 Kush rrëmben një njeri dhe e shet, ose gjendet në duart e tij, do të dënohet me vdekje.

17 Kush mallkon të atin ose të ëmën do të dënohet me vdekje.

18 Në qoftë se dy njerëz zihen dhe njëri prej tyre godet tjetrin me gur ose me grusht dhe ky nuk vdes, por duhet të qëndrojë në shtrat,

19 dhe në se pastaj ngrihet dhe ecën jashtë duke u mbështetur me bastun, ai që e ka goditur do të nxirret i pafajshëm; do ta zhdëmtojë vetëm për kohën e humbur dhe do ta kurojë deri në shërim të plotë.

20 Në qoftë se dikush rreh skllavin ose skllaven e tij me bastun, dhe ai ose ajo i vdesin në dorë, zotëria do të dënohet;

21 por në rast se mbijeton një ose dy ditë, nuk do të dënohet, sepse është pronë e tij.

22 Në rast se disa grinden dhe rrahin një grua me barrë aq sa ajo të dështojë, por nuk pëson dëme të tjera, rrahësi do të gjobitet aq sa t’i kërkojë bashkëshorti i gruas; ai do të paguajë zhdëmtimin simbas përcaktimit të gjykatësve;

23 por po të jetë se rrjedh ndonjë dëm, do të japësh jetë për jetë,

24 sy për sy, dhëmb për dhëmb, dorë për dorë, këmbë për këmbë,

25 djegie për djegie, plagë për plagë, mbretje për mbretje.

26 Në rast se dikush godet syrin e skllavit ose të skllaves së tij dhe ai humbet, do t’i lërë të shkojnë të lirë si kompensim për syrin e humbur.

27 Dhe në rast se shkakton rënien e një dhëmbi skllavit ose skllaves së tij, do t’i lërë të shkojnë të lirë si kompensim për dhëmbin e humbur.

28 Në rast se një ka godet për vdekje me brirët e tij një burrë ose një grua, kau duhet të vritet me gurë dhe mishi i tij nuk do të hahet; por i zoti i kaut do të konsiderohet i pafajshëm.

29 Por në qoftë se kau e kishte zakon prej kohësh të plagoste me brirët e tij dhe i zoti ishte paralajmëruar, por nuk e kishte mbajtur të mbyllur, dhe kau pastaj vret një burrë o një grua, kau do të vritet me gurë dhe i zoti gjithashtu do të vritet.

30 Në qoftë se i caktohet një çmim për shpengim, ai duhet të japë për të shpenguar jetën e tij aq sa i kanë caktuar.

31 Në qoftë se kau godet një bir ose një bijë, do të veprohet ndaj tij sipas po këtij ligji.

32 Në qoftë se kau godet një skllav ose një skllave, i zoti i kaut do t’i paguajë të zotit të skllavit tridhjetë sikla argjendi dhe kau do të vritet me gurë.

33 Në qoftë se dikush hap një gropë, ose dikush gërmon një gropë dhe nuk e mbulon, dhe një ka ose një gomar bien brenda,

34 pronari i gropës do ta paguajë zhdëmtimin; ai do t’i paguajë me para pronarit vleftën e kafshës dhe kafsha e ngordhur do të jetë e tij.

35 Në qoftë se kau i një njeriu godet për vdekje kaun e një tjetri, do të shitet kau i gjallë dhe do të ndahet çmimi i tij; edhe kau i ngordhur do të ndahet midis tyre.

36 Por në qoftë se dihet se ky ka e kishte zakon prej kohe të godiste me brirët, dhe i zoti nuk e ka mbajtur të mbyllur, ky do të paguajë ka për ka dhe kafsha e ngordhur do të jetë e tij".

22 "Në rast se ndokush vjedh një ka a një dele dhe i vret ose i shet, do të kthejë pesë qe për kaun dhe katër dele për delen.

Në rast se vjedhësi, i kapur kur po bën një thyerje, rrihet dhe vdes, pronari nuk është fajtor për vrasjen e tij.

Në rast se dielli ishte ngritur kur ndodhi ngjarja, ai është fajtor për vrasje. Hajduti duhet ta lajë dëmin; dhe po të jetë se nuk ka me se ta lajë, shitet për vjedhjen e kryer prej tij.

Në rast se gjëja e vjedhur, qoftë ka ose gomar ose dele, gjendet e gjallë në duart e tij, do të kthejë dyfishin e saj.

Në rast se ndokush dëmton një arë ose një vresht, duke i lëshuar kafshët e tij të kullosin në arën e një tjetri, do ta lajë dëmin e bërë me atë që ka më të mirë në arën dhe në vreshtin e tij.

Në rast se një zjarr përhapet dhe shtrihet deri te ferrat kështu që digjet gruri në duaj ose gruri në këmbë ose ara, ai që ka ndezur zjarrin do ta lajë dëmin.

Në rast se dikush i jep fqinjit të vet para ose sende për ruajtje, dhe këto vidhen nga shtëpia e këtij, në rast se gjendet vjedhësi, ai do të kthejë dyfishin.

Në rast se nuk gjendet vjedhësi, i zoti i shtëpisë do të dërgohet para Perëndisë për t’u betuar se nuk ka vënë dorë mbi pasurinë e fqinjit të tij.

Për çfarëdo lloj krimi, fjala vjen qoftë edhe për një ka, një gomar, një dele, një veshje apo çfarëdo sendi të humbur që një tjetër thotë se është i tij, çështja e të dy palëve do të shtrohet para Perëndisë; ai që Perëndia do të dënojë, do t’i kthejë dyfishin fqinjit të tij.

10 Në qoftë se ndokush i jep për ruajtje fqinjit të tij një gomar, një ka, një dele apo çfarëdo lloj tjetër kafshe, dhe kjo ngordh ose plagoset ose dhe merret pa e parë njeri,

11 të dy palët do të betohen para Zotit për të mësuar në se marrësi në dorëzim nuk ka vënë dorë mbi pasurinë e fqinjit të tij. I zoti i gjësë do të pranojë betimin, dhe tjetri nuk do të jetë i detyruar të lajë dëmet.

12 Por në qoftë se gjëja i është vjedhur, ai duhet ta lajë dëmin që ka pësuar i zoti.

13 Në qoftë se kafsha është shqyer, do ta çojë si provë, dhe nuk do të jetë i detyruar të dëmshpërblejë kafshën e shqyer.

14 Në qoftë se dikush merr hua nga fqinji i tij një kafshë, dhe kjo plagoset apo ngordh kur i zoti nuk është i pranishëm, ai duhet të dëmshpërblejë dëmin.

15 Në qoftë se i zoti është i pranishëm, nuk do të dëmshpërblejë dëmin; në qoftë se kafsha është marrë me qira, ajo përfshihet në çmimin e qirasë.

16 Në qoftë se dikush mashtron një vajzë ende të pafejuar dhe bie në shtrat me të, duhet të paguajë për pajën e saj dhe ta marrë për grua.

17 Në qoftë se ati refuzon prerazi t’ia japë, ai do të paguajë shumën e kërkuar për pajën e vajzave të virgjëra.

18 Nuk do ta lësh të jetojë shtrigën.

19 Kush çiftëzohet me një kafshë do të dënohet me vdekje.

20 Kush i bën flijime një perëndie tjetër, veç Zotit, do të shfaroset.

21 Mos keqtrajto të huajin dhe mos e mundo, sepse edhe ju ishit të huaj në vendin e Egjiptit.

22 Nuk do të mundosh asnjë grua të ve, as asnjë jetim.

23 Në rast se i mundon ata në një farë mënyre dhe ata bërtasin në drejtimin tim, unë do ta dëgjoj pa tjetër britmën e tyre;

24 do të zemërohem dhe do t’ju vras me shpatë; gratë tuaja do të mbeten të veja dhe bijtë tuaj jetimë.

25 Në rast se ti i jep para hua dikujt nga populli yt, të varfrin që është me ty, nuk do ta trajtosh si fajdexhi; nuk do t’i imponosh asnjë kamatë.

26 Në qoftë se merr peng rrobën e fqinjit tënd, do t’ia kthesh para se të perëndojë dielli,

27 sepse ajo është e vetmja mbulesë e tij dhe veshja me të cilën mbështjell trupin. Me se tjetër mund të flinte ai? Dhe po të ndodhë që ai të më drejtohet mua, unë do ta dëgjoj, sepse jam mëshirëplotë.

28 Mos blasfemo Perëndinë dhe mos mallko princin e popullit tënd.

29 Mos ngurro të më japësh detyrimin nga korrja jote dhe nga ajo që rrjedh nga mokrrat e tua. Do të më japësh të parëlindurin e bijve të tu.

30 Do të veprosh njëlloj me lopën dhe me delen tënde: pjella e tyre e parë do të rrijë shtatë ditë pranë nënës; ditën e tetë do të ma japësh mua.

31 Ju do të jeni për mua njerëz të shenjtë; nuk do të hani mish të asnjë kafshe të shqyer në fusha; hidhuani atë qenve".

21 “These are the laws(A) you are to set before them:

Hebrew Servants(B)(C)

“If you buy a Hebrew servant,(D) he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free,(E) without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’(F) then his master must take him before the judges.[a](G) He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce(H) his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.(I)

“If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself,[b] he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.(J) 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

Personal Injuries

12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.(K) 13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place(L) I will designate. 14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately,(M) that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.(N)

15 “Anyone who attacks[c] their father or mother is to be put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death,(O) whether the victim has been sold(P) or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.

17 “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.(Q)

18 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist[d] and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

20 “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.(R)

22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely[e] but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands(S) and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,(T) 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth,(U) hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,(V) and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up(W) and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.(X) 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels[f](Y) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(Z) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(AA) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

22 [g]“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back(AB) five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is caught breaking in(AC) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;(AD) but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,(AE) but if they have nothing, they must be sold(AF) to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(AG)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(AH)

“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(AI) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(AJ) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(AK)

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(AL) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(AM) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(AN) and they must[h] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. 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.[i](AO) The one whom the judges declare[j] guilty must pay back double to the other.

10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping(AP) 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(AQ) 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, restitution(AR) must be made to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.(AS)

14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.(AT) 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.(AU)

Social Responsibility

16 “If a man seduces a virgin(AV) who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price,(AW) 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(AX) to live.

19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal(AY) is to be put to death.

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god(AZ) other than the Lord must be destroyed.[k](BA)

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,(BB) for you were foreigners(BC) in Egypt.

22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.(BD) 23 If you do and they cry out(BE) to me, I will certainly hear their cry.(BF) 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.(BG)

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.(BH) 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge,(BI) return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in?(BJ) When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.(BK)

28 “Do not blaspheme God[l](BL) or curse(BM) the ruler of your people.(BN)

29 “Do not hold back offerings(BO) from your granaries or your vats.[m]

“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.(BP) 30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.(BQ) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.(BR)

31 “You are to be my holy people.(BS) So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts;(BT) throw it to the dogs.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:6 Or before God
  2. Exodus 21:8 Or master so that he does not choose her
  3. Exodus 21:15 Or kills
  4. Exodus 21:18 Or with a tool
  5. Exodus 21:22 Or she has a miscarriage
  6. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces or about 345 grams
  7. Exodus 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1 is numbered 21:37, and 22:2-31 is numbered 22:1-30.
  8. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  9. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  10. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares
  11. Exodus 22:20 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  12. Exodus 22:28 Or Do not revile the judges
  13. Exodus 22:29 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

21 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:

Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.

If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.

And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:

19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

22 If 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.

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

If 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.

If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

If 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.

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

If 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.

For 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.

10 If 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:

11 Then 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.

12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

14 And 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.

15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.

16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25 If 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.

26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

27 For 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.

28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

29 Thou 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.

30 Likewise 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.

31 And 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.

21 "Tani këto janë ligjet që do t’u vësh para tyre:

Në rast se blen një skllav hebre, ai do të të shërbejë gjashtë vjet; por vitin e shtatë do të shkojë i lirë, pa paguar asgjë.

Në rast se ka ardhur vetëm, do të shkojë vetëm; po të kishte grua, e shoqja do të shkojë bashkë me të.

Në qoftë se zotëria e tij i jep grua dhe kjo i lind bij e bija, gruaja dhe fëmijët e saj do të jenë të zotërisë, dhe ai do të shkojë vetëm.

Por në qoftë se skllavi thotë haptazi: "Unë e dua zotërinë time, gruan time dhe fëmijët e mi, dhe nuk dua të shkoj i lirë,"

atëherë pronari e tij do t’ia afrojë Perëndisë dhe do ta avitë te dera ose te shtalka; pastaj pronari e tij do t’i shpojë veshin me një fëndyell; dhe ai do t’i shërbejë për gjithnjë.

Në rast se dikush shet bijën e tij si shërbëtore, ajo nuk do të shkojë ashtu si shkojnë skllevërit.

Në qoftë se ajo nuk i pëlqen zotërisë së saj, që e kishte marrë për vete, ai do ta lërë të shpengohet; por nuk do të ketë të drejtën tua shesë njerëzve të huaj, sepse kjo do t’ishte ta trajtosh me mashtrim.

Dhe në qoftë se e marton me birin e tij, do ta trajtojë në bazë të së drejtës të të bijave.

10 Në rast se merr një grua tjetër, ai nuk do të pakësojë ushqimin dhe veshmbathjen e saj, as edhe bashkëbanimin e saj.

11 Në rast se nuk bën këto tri gjëra për të, ajo do të shkojë pa dhënë asgjë, pa paguar çmim.

12 Kush rreh një njeri dhe për këtë shkak ky vdes, do të dënohet me vdekje.

13 Në qoftë se nuk i ka ngritur kurrfarë prite, por Perëndia ka bërë që t’i bjerë në dorë, unë do të caktoj një vend ku ai mund të gjejë strehë.

14 Në qoftë se ndokush vepron me paramendim kundër të afërmit të tij për ta vrarë me mashtrim, ti do ta shkëputësh edhe nga altari im, për të siguruar vdekjen e tij.

15 Kush rreh atin ose nënën e tij do të dënohet me vdekje.

16 Kush rrëmben një njeri dhe e shet, ose gjendet në duart e tij, do të dënohet me vdekje.

17 Kush mallkon të atin ose të ëmën do të dënohet me vdekje.

18 Në qoftë se dy njerëz zihen dhe njëri prej tyre godet tjetrin me gur ose me grusht dhe ky nuk vdes, por duhet të qëndrojë në shtrat,

19 dhe në se pastaj ngrihet dhe ecën jashtë duke u mbështetur me bastun, ai që e ka goditur do të nxirret i pafajshëm; do ta zhdëmtojë vetëm për kohën e humbur dhe do ta kurojë deri në shërim të plotë.

20 Në qoftë se dikush rreh skllavin ose skllaven e tij me bastun, dhe ai ose ajo i vdesin në dorë, zotëria do të dënohet;

21 por në rast se mbijeton një ose dy ditë, nuk do të dënohet, sepse është pronë e tij.

22 Në rast se disa grinden dhe rrahin një grua me barrë aq sa ajo të dështojë, por nuk pëson dëme të tjera, rrahësi do të gjobitet aq sa t’i kërkojë bashkëshorti i gruas; ai do të paguajë zhdëmtimin simbas përcaktimit të gjykatësve;

23 por po të jetë se rrjedh ndonjë dëm, do të japësh jetë për jetë,

24 sy për sy, dhëmb për dhëmb, dorë për dorë, këmbë për këmbë,

25 djegie për djegie, plagë për plagë, mbretje për mbretje.

26 Në rast se dikush godet syrin e skllavit ose të skllaves së tij dhe ai humbet, do t’i lërë të shkojnë të lirë si kompensim për syrin e humbur.

27 Dhe në rast se shkakton rënien e një dhëmbi skllavit ose skllaves së tij, do t’i lërë të shkojnë të lirë si kompensim për dhëmbin e humbur.

28 Në rast se një ka godet për vdekje me brirët e tij një burrë ose një grua, kau duhet të vritet me gurë dhe mishi i tij nuk do të hahet; por i zoti i kaut do të konsiderohet i pafajshëm.

29 Por në qoftë se kau e kishte zakon prej kohësh të plagoste me brirët e tij dhe i zoti ishte paralajmëruar, por nuk e kishte mbajtur të mbyllur, dhe kau pastaj vret një burrë o një grua, kau do të vritet me gurë dhe i zoti gjithashtu do të vritet.

30 Në qoftë se i caktohet një çmim për shpengim, ai duhet të japë për të shpenguar jetën e tij aq sa i kanë caktuar.

31 Në qoftë se kau godet një bir ose një bijë, do të veprohet ndaj tij sipas po këtij ligji.

32 Në qoftë se kau godet një skllav ose një skllave, i zoti i kaut do t’i paguajë të zotit të skllavit tridhjetë sikla argjendi dhe kau do të vritet me gurë.

33 Në qoftë se dikush hap një gropë, ose dikush gërmon një gropë dhe nuk e mbulon, dhe një ka ose një gomar bien brenda,

34 pronari i gropës do ta paguajë zhdëmtimin; ai do t’i paguajë me para pronarit vleftën e kafshës dhe kafsha e ngordhur do të jetë e tij.

35 Në qoftë se kau i një njeriu godet për vdekje kaun e një tjetri, do të shitet kau i gjallë dhe do të ndahet çmimi i tij; edhe kau i ngordhur do të ndahet midis tyre.

36 Por në qoftë se dihet se ky ka e kishte zakon prej kohe të godiste me brirët, dhe i zoti nuk e ka mbajtur të mbyllur, ky do të paguajë ka për ka dhe kafsha e ngordhur do të jetë e tij".

22 "Në rast se ndokush vjedh një ka a një dele dhe i vret ose i shet, do të kthejë pesë qe për kaun dhe katër dele për delen.

Në rast se vjedhësi, i kapur kur po bën një thyerje, rrihet dhe vdes, pronari nuk është fajtor për vrasjen e tij.

Në rast se dielli ishte ngritur kur ndodhi ngjarja, ai është fajtor për vrasje. Hajduti duhet ta lajë dëmin; dhe po të jetë se nuk ka me se ta lajë, shitet për vjedhjen e kryer prej tij.

Në rast se gjëja e vjedhur, qoftë ka ose gomar ose dele, gjendet e gjallë në duart e tij, do të kthejë dyfishin e saj.

Në rast se ndokush dëmton një arë ose një vresht, duke i lëshuar kafshët e tij të kullosin në arën e një tjetri, do ta lajë dëmin e bërë me atë që ka më të mirë në arën dhe në vreshtin e tij.

Në rast se një zjarr përhapet dhe shtrihet deri te ferrat kështu që digjet gruri në duaj ose gruri në këmbë ose ara, ai që ka ndezur zjarrin do ta lajë dëmin.

Në rast se dikush i jep fqinjit të vet para ose sende për ruajtje, dhe këto vidhen nga shtëpia e këtij, në rast se gjendet vjedhësi, ai do të kthejë dyfishin.

Në rast se nuk gjendet vjedhësi, i zoti i shtëpisë do të dërgohet para Perëndisë për t’u betuar se nuk ka vënë dorë mbi pasurinë e fqinjit të tij.

Për çfarëdo lloj krimi, fjala vjen qoftë edhe për një ka, një gomar, një dele, një veshje apo çfarëdo sendi të humbur që një tjetër thotë se është i tij, çështja e të dy palëve do të shtrohet para Perëndisë; ai që Perëndia do të dënojë, do t’i kthejë dyfishin fqinjit të tij.

10 Në qoftë se ndokush i jep për ruajtje fqinjit të tij një gomar, një ka, një dele apo çfarëdo lloj tjetër kafshe, dhe kjo ngordh ose plagoset ose dhe merret pa e parë njeri,

11 të dy palët do të betohen para Zotit për të mësuar në se marrësi në dorëzim nuk ka vënë dorë mbi pasurinë e fqinjit të tij. I zoti i gjësë do të pranojë betimin, dhe tjetri nuk do të jetë i detyruar të lajë dëmet.

12 Por në qoftë se gjëja i është vjedhur, ai duhet ta lajë dëmin që ka pësuar i zoti.

13 Në qoftë se kafsha është shqyer, do ta çojë si provë, dhe nuk do të jetë i detyruar të dëmshpërblejë kafshën e shqyer.

14 Në qoftë se dikush merr hua nga fqinji i tij një kafshë, dhe kjo plagoset apo ngordh kur i zoti nuk është i pranishëm, ai duhet të dëmshpërblejë dëmin.

15 Në qoftë se i zoti është i pranishëm, nuk do të dëmshpërblejë dëmin; në qoftë se kafsha është marrë me qira, ajo përfshihet në çmimin e qirasë.

16 Në qoftë se dikush mashtron një vajzë ende të pafejuar dhe bie në shtrat me të, duhet të paguajë për pajën e saj dhe ta marrë për grua.

17 Në qoftë se ati refuzon prerazi t’ia japë, ai do të paguajë shumën e kërkuar për pajën e vajzave të virgjëra.

18 Nuk do ta lësh të jetojë shtrigën.

19 Kush çiftëzohet me një kafshë do të dënohet me vdekje.

20 Kush i bën flijime një perëndie tjetër, veç Zotit, do të shfaroset.

21 Mos keqtrajto të huajin dhe mos e mundo, sepse edhe ju ishit të huaj në vendin e Egjiptit.

22 Nuk do të mundosh asnjë grua të ve, as asnjë jetim.

23 Në rast se i mundon ata në një farë mënyre dhe ata bërtasin në drejtimin tim, unë do ta dëgjoj pa tjetër britmën e tyre;

24 do të zemërohem dhe do t’ju vras me shpatë; gratë tuaja do të mbeten të veja dhe bijtë tuaj jetimë.

25 Në rast se ti i jep para hua dikujt nga populli yt, të varfrin që është me ty, nuk do ta trajtosh si fajdexhi; nuk do t’i imponosh asnjë kamatë.

26 Në qoftë se merr peng rrobën e fqinjit tënd, do t’ia kthesh para se të perëndojë dielli,

27 sepse ajo është e vetmja mbulesë e tij dhe veshja me të cilën mbështjell trupin. Me se tjetër mund të flinte ai? Dhe po të ndodhë që ai të më drejtohet mua, unë do ta dëgjoj, sepse jam mëshirëplotë.

28 Mos blasfemo Perëndinë dhe mos mallko princin e popullit tënd.

29 Mos ngurro të më japësh detyrimin nga korrja jote dhe nga ajo që rrjedh nga mokrrat e tua. Do të më japësh të parëlindurin e bijve të tu.

30 Do të veprosh njëlloj me lopën dhe me delen tënde: pjella e tyre e parë do të rrijë shtatë ditë pranë nënës; ditën e tetë do të ma japësh mua.

31 Ju do të jeni për mua njerëz të shenjtë; nuk do të hani mish të asnjë kafshe të shqyer në fusha; hidhuani atë qenve".

21 “These are the laws(A) you are to set before them:

Hebrew Servants(B)(C)

“If you buy a Hebrew servant,(D) he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free,(E) without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’(F) then his master must take him before the judges.[a](G) He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce(H) his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.(I)

“If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself,[b] he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her. If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter. 10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.(J) 11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

Personal Injuries

12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.(K) 13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place(L) I will designate. 14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately,(M) that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.(N)

15 “Anyone who attacks[c] their father or mother is to be put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death,(O) whether the victim has been sold(P) or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.

17 “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.(Q)

18 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist[d] and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

20 “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.(R)

22 “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely[e] but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands(S) and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,(T) 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth,(U) hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,(V) and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible. 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up(W) and it kills a man or woman, the bull is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death. 30 However, if payment is demanded, the owner may redeem his life by the payment of whatever is demanded.(X) 31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter. 32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels[f](Y) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(Z) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(AA) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

22 [g]“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back(AB) five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is caught breaking in(AC) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;(AD) but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,(AE) but if they have nothing, they must be sold(AF) to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(AG)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(AH)

“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(AI) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(AJ) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(AK)

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(AL) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(AM) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(AN) and they must[h] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. 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.[i](AO) The one whom the judges declare[j] guilty must pay back double to the other.

10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping(AP) 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(AQ) 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, restitution(AR) must be made to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.(AS)

14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.(AT) 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.(AU)

Social Responsibility

16 “If a man seduces a virgin(AV) who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price,(AW) 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(AX) to live.

19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal(AY) is to be put to death.

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god(AZ) other than the Lord must be destroyed.[k](BA)

21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,(BB) for you were foreigners(BC) in Egypt.

22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.(BD) 23 If you do and they cry out(BE) to me, I will certainly hear their cry.(BF) 24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.(BG)

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.(BH) 26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge,(BI) return it by sunset, 27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in?(BJ) When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.(BK)

28 “Do not blaspheme God[l](BL) or curse(BM) the ruler of your people.(BN)

29 “Do not hold back offerings(BO) from your granaries or your vats.[m]

“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.(BP) 30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.(BQ) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.(BR)

31 “You are to be my holy people.(BS) So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts;(BT) throw it to the dogs.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 21:6 Or before God
  2. Exodus 21:8 Or master so that he does not choose her
  3. Exodus 21:15 Or kills
  4. Exodus 21:18 Or with a tool
  5. Exodus 21:22 Or she has a miscarriage
  6. Exodus 21:32 That is, about 12 ounces or about 345 grams
  7. Exodus 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1 is numbered 21:37, and 22:2-31 is numbered 22:1-30.
  8. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  9. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  10. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares
  11. Exodus 22:20 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
  12. Exodus 22:28 Or Do not revile the judges
  13. Exodus 22:29 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

21 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:

Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.

If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.

And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:

19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

22 If 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.

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

If 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.

If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.

If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

If 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.

If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.

If 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.

For 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.

10 If 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:

11 Then 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.

12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

14 And 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.

15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.

16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.

20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;

24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25 If 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.

26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:

27 For 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.

28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

29 Thou 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.

30 Likewise 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.

31 And 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.

19 Mbasi Jezusi i mbaroi këto ligjërata, u nis nga Galilea dhe erdhi në krahinën e Judesë, përtej Jordanit.

Turma të mëdha e ndiqnin dhe ai i shëroi atje.

Atëherë iu afruan disa farisenj për ta provokuar dhe i thanë: “A është e lejueshme që burri ta ndajë gruan për një shkak çfarëdo?.”

Dhe ai, duke u përgjigjur u tha atyre: “A nuk keni lexuar ju, se ai që i krijoi që në fillim, i krijoi mashkull dhe femër?

Dhe tha: "Për këtë arsye njeriu do ta lërë babanë dhe nënën e vet dhe do të bashkohet me gruan e vet; dhe të dy do të jenë një mish i vetëm".

Dhe kështu ata nuk janë më dy, por një mish i vetëm; prandaj atë që Perëndia ka bashkuar, njeriu të mos e ndajë.”

Ata i thanë: “Atëherë përse Moisiu urdhëroi të jepet letërndarja dhe të lëshohet?.”

Ai u tha atyre: “Moisiu ju lejoi t’i ndani gratë tuaja për shkak të ngurtësisë së zemrave tuaja, por në fillim nuk ka qenë kështu.

Por unë ju them se kushdo që e lëshon gruan e vet, përveç rastit të kurvërisë, dhe martohet me një tjetër, shkel kurorën; edhe ai që martohet me gruan e ndarë, shkel kurorën.”

10 Dishepujt e vet i thanë: “Në qoftë se kushtet e burrit ndaj gruas janë të tilla, më mirë të mos martohet.”

11 Por ai u tha atyre: “Jo të gjithë i kuptojnë këto fjalë, por atyre që iu është dhënë.

12 Sepse ka eunukë që kanë lindur të tillë nga barku i nënës; ka eunukë që janë bërë eunukë nga njerëzit, dhe ka eunukë që janë bërë vet eunukë për mbretërinë e qiejve. Ai që mund ta kuptojë, le ta kuptojë.”

13 Atëherë i sollën fëmijë të vegjël që të vinte duart mbi ata dhe të lutej, por dishepujt i qortuan.

14 Por Jezusi tha: “I lini fëmijët e vegjël të vijnë tek unë, sepse atyre u përket mbretëria e qiejve.”

15 Dhe, mbasi vuri duart mbi ata, u nis që andej.

16 Dhe ja, iu afrua dikush dhe i tha: “Mësues i mirë, çfarë të mire duhet të bëj që të kem jetë të përjetshme?.”

17 Dhe ai tha: “Pse më quan të mirë? Askush nuk është i mirë, përveç një të vetmi: Perëndia. Tani në qoftë se ti don të hysh në jetë, zbato urdhërimet.”

18 Ai i tha: “Cilat?.” Atëherë Jezusi i tha: “Mos vraj, mos shkel kurorën, mos vidh, mos bëj dëshmi të rreme,

19 ndero atin tënd dhe nënën tënde dhe duaje të afërmin tënd si veten tënde.”

20 I riu i tha: “Të gjitha këto gjëra unë i kam zbatuar që në rini; çfarë më mungon tjetër?.”

21 Jezusi i tha: “Në qoftë se do të jesh i përsosur, shko, shit ç’të kesh, jepua të varfërve dhe ti do të kesh një thesar në qiell; pastaj eja dhe më ndiq mua.”

22 Por i riu, kur i dëgjoi këto fjalë, iku i trishtuar, sepse kishte pasuri të madhe.

23 Atëherë Jezusi u tha dishepujve të vet: “Në të vërtetë ju them se një i pasur me vështirësi do të hyjë në mbretërinë e qiejve.

24 Dhe po jua përsëris: Éshtë më lehtë të kalojë deveja nga vrima e gjilpërës, se sa i pasuri të hyjë në mbretërinë e Perëndisë.”

25 Kur i dëgjuan këto fjalë, dishepujt e vet u habitën shumë dhe thanë: “Atëherë, kush do të shpëtojë vallë?.”

26 Dhe Jezusi duke përqëndruar shikimin mbi ata tha: “Për njerëzit kjo është e pamundur, por për Perëndinë çdo gjë është e mundur.”

27 Atëherë Pjetri iu përgjigj duke thënë: “Ja, ne i lamë të gjitha dhe të ndoqëm; çfarë do të fitojmë, pra?.”

28 Jezusi u tha atyre: “Në të vërtetë po ju them, në krijimin e ri, kur Biri i njeriut të ulet në fronin e lavdisë së vet, edhe ju që më keni ndjekur do të uleni mbi dymbëdhjetë frone për të gjykuar të dymbëdhjetë fiset e Izraelit.

29 Dhe kushdo që ka lënë, për hir të emrit tim, shtëpi, vëllezër, motra, atë, nënë, grua, bij ose ara, do të marrë njëqindfish dhe do të trashëgojë jetë të përjetshme.

30 Por shumë të parë do të jenë të fundit, dhe shumë të fundit do të jenë të parët.”

Divorce(A)

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things,(B) he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them(C) there.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife(D) for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a](E) and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]?(F) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”(G)

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”(H)

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.(I) 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus(J)

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them(K) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs(L) to such as these.”(M) 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(N)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life(O)?”(P)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”(Q)

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery,(R) you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[c](S) and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[d](T)

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect,(U) go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,(V) and you will have treasure in heaven.(W) Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich(X) to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Y)

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!(Z) What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(AA) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(AB) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.(AC) 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.(AD)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:4 Gen. 1:27
  2. Matthew 19:5 Gen. 2:24
  3. Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  4. Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18
  5. Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts do not have or wife.

19 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

19 Mbasi Jezusi i mbaroi këto ligjërata, u nis nga Galilea dhe erdhi në krahinën e Judesë, përtej Jordanit.

Turma të mëdha e ndiqnin dhe ai i shëroi atje.

Atëherë iu afruan disa farisenj për ta provokuar dhe i thanë: “A është e lejueshme që burri ta ndajë gruan për një shkak çfarëdo?.”

Dhe ai, duke u përgjigjur u tha atyre: “A nuk keni lexuar ju, se ai që i krijoi që në fillim, i krijoi mashkull dhe femër?

Dhe tha: "Për këtë arsye njeriu do ta lërë babanë dhe nënën e vet dhe do të bashkohet me gruan e vet; dhe të dy do të jenë një mish i vetëm".

Dhe kështu ata nuk janë më dy, por një mish i vetëm; prandaj atë që Perëndia ka bashkuar, njeriu të mos e ndajë.”

Ata i thanë: “Atëherë përse Moisiu urdhëroi të jepet letërndarja dhe të lëshohet?.”

Ai u tha atyre: “Moisiu ju lejoi t’i ndani gratë tuaja për shkak të ngurtësisë së zemrave tuaja, por në fillim nuk ka qenë kështu.

Por unë ju them se kushdo që e lëshon gruan e vet, përveç rastit të kurvërisë, dhe martohet me një tjetër, shkel kurorën; edhe ai që martohet me gruan e ndarë, shkel kurorën.”

10 Dishepujt e vet i thanë: “Në qoftë se kushtet e burrit ndaj gruas janë të tilla, më mirë të mos martohet.”

11 Por ai u tha atyre: “Jo të gjithë i kuptojnë këto fjalë, por atyre që iu është dhënë.

12 Sepse ka eunukë që kanë lindur të tillë nga barku i nënës; ka eunukë që janë bërë eunukë nga njerëzit, dhe ka eunukë që janë bërë vet eunukë për mbretërinë e qiejve. Ai që mund ta kuptojë, le ta kuptojë.”

13 Atëherë i sollën fëmijë të vegjël që të vinte duart mbi ata dhe të lutej, por dishepujt i qortuan.

14 Por Jezusi tha: “I lini fëmijët e vegjël të vijnë tek unë, sepse atyre u përket mbretëria e qiejve.”

15 Dhe, mbasi vuri duart mbi ata, u nis që andej.

16 Dhe ja, iu afrua dikush dhe i tha: “Mësues i mirë, çfarë të mire duhet të bëj që të kem jetë të përjetshme?.”

17 Dhe ai tha: “Pse më quan të mirë? Askush nuk është i mirë, përveç një të vetmi: Perëndia. Tani në qoftë se ti don të hysh në jetë, zbato urdhërimet.”

18 Ai i tha: “Cilat?.” Atëherë Jezusi i tha: “Mos vraj, mos shkel kurorën, mos vidh, mos bëj dëshmi të rreme,

19 ndero atin tënd dhe nënën tënde dhe duaje të afërmin tënd si veten tënde.”

20 I riu i tha: “Të gjitha këto gjëra unë i kam zbatuar që në rini; çfarë më mungon tjetër?.”

21 Jezusi i tha: “Në qoftë se do të jesh i përsosur, shko, shit ç’të kesh, jepua të varfërve dhe ti do të kesh një thesar në qiell; pastaj eja dhe më ndiq mua.”

22 Por i riu, kur i dëgjoi këto fjalë, iku i trishtuar, sepse kishte pasuri të madhe.

23 Atëherë Jezusi u tha dishepujve të vet: “Në të vërtetë ju them se një i pasur me vështirësi do të hyjë në mbretërinë e qiejve.

24 Dhe po jua përsëris: Éshtë më lehtë të kalojë deveja nga vrima e gjilpërës, se sa i pasuri të hyjë në mbretërinë e Perëndisë.”

25 Kur i dëgjuan këto fjalë, dishepujt e vet u habitën shumë dhe thanë: “Atëherë, kush do të shpëtojë vallë?.”

26 Dhe Jezusi duke përqëndruar shikimin mbi ata tha: “Për njerëzit kjo është e pamundur, por për Perëndinë çdo gjë është e mundur.”

27 Atëherë Pjetri iu përgjigj duke thënë: “Ja, ne i lamë të gjitha dhe të ndoqëm; çfarë do të fitojmë, pra?.”

28 Jezusi u tha atyre: “Në të vërtetë po ju them, në krijimin e ri, kur Biri i njeriut të ulet në fronin e lavdisë së vet, edhe ju që më keni ndjekur do të uleni mbi dymbëdhjetë frone për të gjykuar të dymbëdhjetë fiset e Izraelit.

29 Dhe kushdo që ka lënë, për hir të emrit tim, shtëpi, vëllezër, motra, atë, nënë, grua, bij ose ara, do të marrë njëqindfish dhe do të trashëgojë jetë të përjetshme.

30 Por shumë të parë do të jenë të fundit, dhe shumë të fundit do të jenë të parët.”

Divorce(A)

19 When Jesus had finished saying these things,(B) he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them(C) there.

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife(D) for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a](E) and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]?(F) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”(G)

Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”(H)

10 The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.(I) 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

The Little Children and Jesus(J)

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them(K) and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs(L) to such as these.”(M) 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(N)

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life(O)?”(P)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”(Q)

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery,(R) you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[c](S) and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[d](T)

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect,(U) go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,(V) and you will have treasure in heaven.(W) Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich(X) to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Y)

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!(Z) What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(AA) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.(AB) 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.(AC) 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.(AD)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:4 Gen. 1:27
  2. Matthew 19:5 Gen. 2:24
  3. Matthew 19:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  4. Matthew 19:19 Lev. 19:18
  5. Matthew 19:29 Some manuscripts do not have or wife.

19 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.