Exodus 22:28-23:8

New International Version

²⁸ “Do not blaspheme God^[a](A) or curse^(B) the ruler of your people.^(C)

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

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

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

Laws of Justice and Mercy

23 “Do not spread false reports.^(J) Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.^(K)

² “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice^(L) by siding with the crowd,^{(M) 3} and do not show favoritism^(N) to a poor person in a lawsuit.

⁴ “If you come across your enemy’s^(O) ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.^{(P) 5} If you see the donkey^(Q) of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

⁶ “Do not deny justice^(R) to your poor people in their lawsuits. ⁷ Have nothing to do with a false charge^(S) and do not put an innocent^(T) or honest person to death,^(U) for I will not acquit the guilty.^(V)

⁸ “Do not accept a bribe,^(W) for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.