Exodus 22:18-31

Christian Standard Bible

Capital Offenses

¹⁸ “Do not allow a sorceress^(A) to live.

¹⁹ “Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal^(B) must be put to death.

²⁰ “Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the Lord alone, is to be set apart for destruction.^(C)

Laws Protecting the Vulnerable

²¹ “You must not exploit a resident alien^(D) or oppress him, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.

²² “You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.^{(E) 23} If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry.^{(F) 24} My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.^(G)

²⁵ “If you lend silver to my people, to the poor person among you, you must not be like a creditor to him; you must not charge him interest.^(H)

²⁶ “If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset. ²⁷ For it is his only covering; it is the clothing for his body.^[a] What will he sleep in? And if he cries out to me, I will listen because I am gracious.^(I)

Respect for God

²⁸ “You must not blaspheme God^[b] or curse a leader among your people.^(J)

²⁹ “You must not hold back offerings^(K) from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons. ³⁰ Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.^(L)

³¹ “Be my holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal^(M) found in the field; throw it to the dogs.