22 Si l’on surprend un voleur en train de pénétrer dans une maison par effraction et qu’on lui assène un coup mortel, celui qui l’aura frappé ne sera pas coupable de meurtre. Par contre, si cela se passe en plein jour, celui qui l’aura frappé sera coupable de meurtre. Tout voleur devra verser une indemnité. S’il ne possède rien, il sera lui-même vendu comme esclave pour compenser ce qu’il a volé.

S’il a volé un animal – bovin, âne ou mouton – et qu’on le retrouve vivant en sa possession, il rendra deux animaux en compensation.

Si quelqu’un fait brouter ses bêtes dans le champ ou le vignoble d’autrui, il indemnisera le propriétaire lésé en lui donnant le meilleur produit de son propre champ et de son vignoble.

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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.

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Responsibility for Property

22 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall (A)restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found (B)breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be (C)no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be (D)sold[a] for his theft. If the theft is certainly (E)found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall (F)restore double.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:3 Sold as a slave