Protection of Property

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

² “If a thief is caught breaking in^(B) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;^{(C) 3} but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,^(D) but if they have nothing, they must be sold^(E) to pay for their theft. ⁴ If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession^(F)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.^(G)

⁵ “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^(H) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

⁶ “If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks^(I) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.^(J)

⁷ “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping^(K) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.^{(L) 8} But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,^(M) and they must^[b] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. ⁹ 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.^[c](N) The one whom the judges declare^[d] 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^(O) 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^(P) 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^(Q) 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.^(R)

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.^{(S) 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.^(T)

¹² I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³ I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains^(A) for the gospel. ¹⁴ But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced^(B) but would be voluntary. ¹⁵ Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— ¹⁶ no longer as a slave,^(C) but better than a slave, as a dear brother.^(D) He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

¹⁷ So if you consider me a partner,^(E) welcome him as you would welcome me. ¹⁸ If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.^{(F) 19} I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand.^(G) I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. ²⁰ I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh^(H) my heart in Christ. ²¹ Confident^(I) of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

²² And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be^(J) restored to you in answer to your prayers.^(K)

²³ Epaphras,^(L) my fellow prisoner^(M) in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. ²⁴ And so do Mark,^(N) Aristarchus,^(O) Demas^(P) and Luke, my fellow workers.^(Q)

²⁵ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(R)