Exodus 21:28-22:31

New International Version

²⁸ “If a bull gores a man or woman to death, the bull is to be stoned to death,^(A) 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^(B) 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.^{(C) 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^[a](D) of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.

³³ “If anyone uncovers a pit^(E) 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,^(F) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

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

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

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

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^(N) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

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

⁷ “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping^(Q) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.^{(R) 8} But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,^(S) and they must^[c] 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.^[d](T) The one whom the judges declare^[e] 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^(U) 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^(V) 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^(W) 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.^(X)

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.^{(Y) 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.^(Z)

Social Responsibility

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

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

²⁰ “Whoever sacrifices to any god^(AE) other than the Lord must be destroyed.^[f](AF)

²¹ “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,^(AG) for you were foreigners^(AH) in Egypt.

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

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

²⁸ “Do not blaspheme God^[g](AQ) or curse^(AR) the ruler of your people.^(AS)

²⁹ “Do not hold back offerings^(AT) from your granaries or your vats.^[h]

“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.^{(AU) 30} Do the same with your cattle and your sheep.^(AV) Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.^(AW)

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