Exodus 22
Good News Translation
Laws about Repayment
22 “If someone steals a cow or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he must pay five cows for one cow and four sheep for one sheep. 2-4 He must pay for what he stole. If he owns nothing, he shall be sold as a slave to pay for what he has stolen. If the stolen animal, whether a cow, a donkey, or a sheep, is found alive in his possession, he shall pay two for one.
“If a thief is caught breaking into a house at night and is killed, the one who killed him is not guilty of murder. But if it happens during the day, he is guilty of murder.
5 “If someone lets his animals graze in a field or a vineyard and they stray away and eat up the crops[a] growing in someone else's field, he must make good the loss with the crops from his own fields or vineyards.
6 “If someone starts a fire in his own field and it spreads through the weeds to someone else's field and burns up grain that is growing or that has been cut and stacked, the one who started the fire is to pay for the damage.
7 “If anyone agrees to keep someone else's money or other valuables for him and they are stolen from his house, the thief, if found, shall repay double. 8 But if the thief is not found, the one who was keeping the valuables is to be brought to the place of worship and there he must take an oath that he has not stolen the other one's property.
9 “In every case of a dispute about property, whether it involves cattle, donkeys, sheep, clothing, or any other lost object, the two people claiming the property shall be taken to the place of worship. The one whom God declares to be guilty shall pay double to the other one.
10 “If anyone agrees to keep someone else's donkey, cow, sheep, or other animal for him, and the animal dies or is injured or is carried off in a raid, and if there was no witness, 11 the man must go to the place of worship and take an oath that he has not stolen the other man's animal. If the animal was not stolen, the owner shall accept the loss, and the other man need not repay him; 12 but if the animal was stolen, the man must repay the owner. 13 If it was killed by wild animals, the man is to bring the remains as evidence; he need not pay for what has been killed by wild animals.
14 “If anyone borrows an animal from someone else and it is injured or dies when its owner is not present, he must pay for it. 15 But if that happens when the owner is present, he need not repay. If it is a rented animal, the loss is covered by the rental price.
Moral and Religious Laws
16 (A)“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, he must pay the bride price for her and marry her. 17 But if her father refuses to let him marry her, he must pay the father a sum of money equal to the bride price for a virgin.
18 (B)“Put to death any woman who practices magic.
19 (C)“Put to death any man who has sexual relations with an animal.
20 (D)“Condemn to death anyone who offers sacrifices to any god except to me, the Lord.
21 (E)“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner; remember that you were foreigners in Egypt. 22 Do not mistreat any widow or orphan. 23 If you do, I, the Lord, will answer them when they cry out to me for help, 24 and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.
25 (F)“If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest. 26 (G)If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets, 27 because it is the only covering he has to keep him warm. What else can he sleep in? When he cries out to me for help, I will answer him because I am merciful.
28 (H)“Do not speak evil of God,[b] and do not curse a leader of your people.
29 “Give me the offerings from your grain, your wine, and your olive oil when they are due.
“Give me your first-born sons. 30 Give me the first-born of your cattle and your sheep. Let the first-born male stay with its mother for seven days, and on the eighth day offer it to me.
31 (I)“You are my people, so you must not eat the meat of any animal that has been killed by wild animals; instead, give it to the dogs.
Footnotes
- Exodus 22:5 If … crops; or If someone burns off a field or a vineyard, and lets the fire get out of control and burn up the crops.
- Exodus 22:28 God; or the judges.
Exodus 22
The Voice
22 Eternal One: If someone steals an ox or a sheep and either kills or sells it for profit, then he must pay five oxen for the one ox he stole or four sheep for the one sheep he stole. 4 But if the stolen animal—the ox or donkey or sheep—is still alive and in his possession when he is caught, then the thief must pay the owner double. 3b A thief must make restitution for what he has taken. If he has no means of doing so, he must be sold to pay for his theft.
2 If a person attacks a thief in the act of breaking into his house and the thief is killed during the attack, then the homeowner is innocent of blood guilt. 3a It is different if the sun has already risen; so any homeowner who kills a thief during the day must be considered guilty of bloodshed.[a]
The difference between these two situations is the difference between daylight and dark. If a homeowner is protecting his property at night and injures a thief, it is to be treated as a case of self-defense. But if the crime takes place during the light of day, it is not necessary to incapacitate or capture the thief; it is necessary only to recognize the thief and bear truthful witness against him in court. The right to personal property does not eclipse the right to life.
Eternal One: 5 If someone allows his animals to graze a field or vineyard until it is bare and then lets his animals wander over onto a neighbor’s field, then he must compensate his neighbor from the very best of his field and vineyard.
6 If someone starts a fire and the fire spreads and sets the thorn bushes ablaze, and eventually that fire burns up stacks of harvested grain and everything growing in the fields, then the person who started the fire is responsible and must pay reparations for what was lost.
7 If someone gives his neighbor money or items to keep for him and it is stolen from his neighbor’s house, then if the thief is captured, he must pay double for what he stole. 8 If the thief is not found, then the person who owned the house that was burglarized must go stand before God’s presence so that He can decide whether he is the one who stole the property.
9 Whenever there is a breach of trust—regarding an ox, a donkey, a lamb, a piece of clothing, or any lost item—and the contested item is discovered in the possession of a neighbor and claimed by two different parties, then both sides must appear before God. If God finds the neighbor guilty, he must pay double for what he stole.
10 If someone leaves a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other kind of livestock in his friend’s keeping, and the animal dies or is injured or disappears while no one is watching, 11 then the two are to make an oath in the presence of the Eternal. The neighbor must swear he had nothing to do with the loss of the animal, and the owner of the animal must accept his statement and not demand any compensation for the loss.
12 But if the animal was stolen while in his neighbor’s care, then the neighbor must compensate the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by another animal, then the neighbor may use the remains as evidence, and not have to pay any compensation for the torn animal.
14 If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is harmed or dies while not in the possession of the owner, then the borrower must compensate the owner in full. 15 But if the owner was there when the animal dies or is harmed, then no compensation is required. If the animal has been rented and not borrowed, then the rental fee paid shall cover the loss of the animal.
The owner who rents the animal must calculate the risk of losing the animal when he assesses the rental fee.
16 If a man entices a virgin who is not promised to another man to have sex with him, then he must pay her father the bride-price and marry her. 17 If the young woman’s father refuses the marriage offer because he disapproves of the man, then the man still must pay the amount of money that is customary for the bride-price for virgins.
18 You are not to allow a sorceress to live.
19 Anyone who has sex with an animal must be put to death.
20 Anyone who dares to sacrifice to any god other than the Eternal must be declared under the ban and destroyed.
21 Do not wrong or oppress any outsiders living among you, for there was a time when you lived as outsiders in the land of Egypt.
22 You must not take advantage of any widow or orphan. 23 If you do oppress them and they cry out to Me, I will certainly hear them, 24 and My wrath will be kindled. I will make sure you are slaughtered by your enemy’s sword, and your own wives and children will become widows and orphans.
25 If you loan money to any of the poor among My people, do not treat them as borrowers and act as their creditors by charging interest. 26 If your neighbor gives his coat to you as collateral, then be sure to give it back before night falls—even if he has not repaid you in full. 27 You see that coat covers his body and may be his only protection against the cold. What do you think he would sleep in? When he calls out for Me, I will hear his cry. I am kind and compassionate as you should be when a fellow Israelite is in need.
28 Do not curse the one True God or any rulers of your people.[b]
God demands respect from His people and expects His people to honor those He puts in charge.
29 You must not hold back or delay your offering from the bounty of your harvest or the juice of your vineyard.[c] Dedicate every one of your firstborn sons to Me. 30 But dedicate your livestock—your ox and sheep—to Me in sacrifice. The firstborn of your livestock may stay with its mother for the first seven days. When the eighth day arrives, give the firstborn to Me. 31 You must be holy before Me. Do not eat any animal that has been torn to pieces by wild beasts in the field. Toss its remains to the dogs.
Footnotes
- 22:2–4 Verses 2–4 have been rearranged to assist in the comprehension of the passage.
- 22:28 Acts 23:5
- 22:29 Meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Exodus 22
King James Version
22 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.
6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
10 If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
11 Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.
12 And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.
13 If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.
14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
15 But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be an hired thing, it came for his hire.
16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;
24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
Éxodo 22
La Biblia de las Américas
Leyes sobre la restitución
22 [a]Si alguno roba un buey o una oveja, y lo mata o vende, pagará cinco bueyes por el buey y cuatro ovejas por la oveja(A). 2 [b]Si el ladrón(B) es sorprendido[c] forzando una casa, y es herido y muere, no habrá culpabilidad de[d] sangre; 3 pero si ya[e] ha salido el sol, habrá culpabilidad de[f] sangre. Ciertamente, el ladrón debe hacer restitución; si no tiene con qué, entonces será vendido(C) por el valor de su robo. 4 Si lo que robó, sea buey o asno u oveja, es hallado vivo en su posesión[g], pagará el doble(D). 5 Si alguno deja que un campo o viña sea pastado totalmente, y deja suelto su animal para que paste en campo ajeno, hará restitución con lo mejor de su campo y con lo mejor de su viña.
6 Si estalla un incendio y se extiende a los espinos, de modo que las mieses, amontonadas o en pie, o el campo mismo se consuman, el que encendió el fuego ciertamente hará restitución.
7 Si alguno da a su vecino dinero o cosas a guardar, y son hurtados de la casa de este, el ladrón, si es hallado, pagará(E) el doble. 8 Si no es hallado el ladrón, entonces el dueño de la casa se presentará[h] ante los jueces[i](F), para determinar si él metió la mano en[j] la propiedad de su vecino. 9 En toda clase de fraude[k], ya se trate de buey, de asno, de oveja, de ropa, o de cualquier cosa perdida, de la cual se pueda decir: «Esto es», la causa[l] de ambos se llevará ante los jueces[m](G); y aquel a quien los jueces[n] declaren culpable pagará el doble a su vecino.
10 Si alguno da a su vecino un asno, un buey, una oveja, o cualquier otro animal para ser guardado, y muere o sufre daño, o es robado[o] sin que nadie lo vea, 11 los dos harán juramento delante del Señor de que[p] no metieron la mano en[q] la propiedad de su vecino, y el dueño lo aceptará, y el otro no hará restitución(H). 12 Pero si en verdad el animal le ha sido robado, hará restitución a su dueño. 13 Si ha sido despedazado, que lo traiga como prueba; no hará restitución por lo que ha sido despedazado.
14 Si alguno pide prestado un animal a su vecino, y el animal sufre daño o muere en ausencia de su dueño, hará completa restitución. 15 Si el dueño está presente, no hará restitución; si es alquilado, solamente pagará el alquiler.
Leyes diversas
16 Si alguno seduce a una doncella que no esté desposada, y se acuesta con ella, deberá pagar una dote por ella para que sea su mujer(I). 17 Y si el padre rehúsa dársela, él pagará una cantidad[r] igual a la dote(J) de las vírgenes.
18 No dejarás con vida a la hechicera(K).
19 A cualquiera que se eche[s] con un animal, ciertamente se le dará muerte(L).
20 El que ofrezca sacrificio a otro dios[t], que no sea el Señor, será destruido por completo[u](M). 21 Al extranjero no maltratarás ni oprimirás, porque extranjeros fuisteis vosotros en la tierra de Egipto(N). 22 A la viuda y al huérfano no afligiréis(O). 23 Si lo afliges y él clama a mí(P), ciertamente yo escucharé su clamor(Q), 24 y se encenderá mi ira y os mataré a espada, y vuestras mujeres quedarán viudas y vuestros hijos huérfanos(R).
25 Si prestas dinero a mi pueblo, a los pobres entre[v] vosotros, no serás usurero con él; no le cobrarás[w] interés(S). 26 Si tomas en prenda(T) el manto de tu prójimo, se lo devolverás antes de ponerse el sol, 27 porque es su único abrigo; es el vestido para su cuerpo[x]. ¿En qué otra cosa dormirá? Y será que cuando él clame a mí(U), yo le oiré, porque soy clemente(V).
28 No maldecirás[y] a Dios[z](W), ni maldecirás al príncipe de tu pueblo(X). 29 No demorarás la ofrenda de tu cosecha ni de tu vendimia[aa](Y). Me darás el primogénito de tus hijos(Z). 30 Lo mismo harás con tus bueyes y con tus ovejas. Siete días estará con su madre, y al octavo día(AA) me lo darás(AB). 31 Y seréis para mí hombres santos(AC). No comeréis carne despedazada por las fieras en el campo(AD); a los perros la echaréis.
Footnotes
- Éxodo 22:1 En el texto heb., cap. 21:37
- Éxodo 22:2 En el texto heb., cap. 22:1
- Éxodo 22:2 Lit., hallado
- Éxodo 22:2 Lit., por su
- Éxodo 22:3 Lit., si sobre él
- Éxodo 22:3 Lit., por su
- Éxodo 22:4 Lit., mano
- Éxodo 22:8 Lit., se acercará
- Éxodo 22:8 O, Dios
- Éxodo 22:8 Lit., extendió su mano a
- Éxodo 22:9 O, todo asunto de transgresión
- Éxodo 22:9 Lit., el asunto
- Éxodo 22:9 O, Dios
- Éxodo 22:9 O, Dios
- Éxodo 22:10 Lit., llevado
- Éxodo 22:11 Lit., si
- Éxodo 22:11 Lit., extendió su mano a
- Éxodo 22:17 Lit., pesará plata
- Éxodo 22:19 I.e., cohabite
- Éxodo 22:20 Lit., los dioses
- Éxodo 22:20 O, dedicado al anatema
- Éxodo 22:25 Lit., con
- Éxodo 22:25 Lit., no pondrás sobre él
- Éxodo 22:27 Lit., piel
- Éxodo 22:28 O, injuriarás
- Éxodo 22:28 O, a los jueces
- Éxodo 22:29 Lit., tu plenitud y tus lágrimas
Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. For more information about GNT, visit www.bibles.com and www.gnt.bible.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
