Exodus 22:16-31
The Voice
The owner who rents the animal must calculate the risk of losing the animal when he assesses the rental fee.
16 If a man entices a virgin who is not promised to another man to have sex with him, then he must pay her father the bride-price and marry her. 17 If the young woman’s father refuses the marriage offer because he disapproves of the man, then the man still must pay the amount of money that is customary for the bride-price for virgins.
18 You are not to allow a sorceress to live.
19 Anyone who has sex with an animal must be put to death.
20 Anyone who dares to sacrifice to any god other than the Eternal must be declared under the ban and destroyed.
21 Do not wrong or oppress any outsiders living among you, for there was a time when you lived as outsiders in the land of Egypt.
22 You must not take advantage of any widow or orphan. 23 If you do oppress them and they cry out to Me, I will certainly hear them, 24 and My wrath will be kindled. I will make sure you are slaughtered by your enemy’s sword, and your own wives and children will become widows and orphans.
25 If you loan money to any of the poor among My people, do not treat them as borrowers and act as their creditors by charging interest. 26 If your neighbor gives his coat to you as collateral, then be sure to give it back before night falls—even if he has not repaid you in full. 27 You see that coat covers his body and may be his only protection against the cold. What do you think he would sleep in? When he calls out for Me, I will hear his cry. I am kind and compassionate as you should be when a fellow Israelite is in need.
28 Do not curse the one True God or any rulers of your people.[a]
God demands respect from His people and expects His people to honor those He puts in charge.
29 You must not hold back or delay your offering from the bounty of your harvest or the juice of your vineyard.[b] Dedicate every one of your firstborn sons to Me. 30 But dedicate your livestock—your ox and sheep—to Me in sacrifice. The firstborn of your livestock may stay with its mother for the first seven days. When the eighth day arrives, give the firstborn to Me. 31 You must be holy before Me. Do not eat any animal that has been torn to pieces by wild beasts in the field. Toss its remains to the dogs.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
