Exodus 21:12-27

New International Reader's Version

Laws About Harming Others

¹² “Anyone who hits and kills someone else must be put to death. ¹³ Suppose they did not do it on purpose. Suppose I let it happen. Then they can escape to a place I will choose. ¹⁴ But suppose they kill someone on purpose. Then take them away from my altar and put them to death.

¹⁵ “Anyone who attacks their father or mother must be put to death.

¹⁶ “Anyone who kidnaps and sells another person must be put to death. If they still have the person with them when they are caught, they must be put to death.

¹⁷ “Anyone who asks for something bad to happen to their father or mother must be put to death.

¹⁸ “Suppose two people get into a fight and argue with each other. One hits the other with a stone or his fist. And the person who was hit does not die but has to stay in bed. ¹⁹ And later that person gets up and walks around outside with a walking stick. Then the person who hit the other person will not be held responsible. But that person must pay the one who was hurt for the time spent in bed. The one who hit the other person must be sure that person is completely healed.

²⁰ “Suppose a person beats their male or female slave to death with a club. That person must be punished. ²¹ But they will not be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two. After all, the slave is their property.

²² “Suppose some people are fighting and one of them hits a pregnant woman. And suppose she has her baby early but is not badly hurt. Then the one who hurt her must pay a fine. That person must pay what the woman’s husband asks for and the court allows. ²³ But if someone is badly hurt, a life must be taken for a life. ²⁴ An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth. A hand must be cut off for a hand and a foot for a foot. ²⁵ A burn must be given for a burn, a wound for a wound, and a bruise for a bruise.

²⁶ “Suppose an owner hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it. Then the owner must let the slave go free to pay for the eye. ²⁷ Suppose an owner knocks out the tooth of a male or female slave. Then he must let the slave go free to pay for the tooth.