Exodus 21-24

New International Reader's Version

Other Laws

21 “Here are the laws you must explain to the people of Israel.

Set Your Hebrew Servants Free

² “Suppose you buy a Hebrew servant. He must serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, you must set him free. He does not have to pay anything. ³ If he does not have a wife when he comes, he must go free alone. But if he has a wife when he comes, she must go with him. ⁴ Suppose his master gives him a wife. And suppose she has sons or daughters by him. Then only the man will go free. The woman and her children will belong to her master.

⁵ “But suppose the servant says, ‘I love my master and my wife and children. I don’t want to go free.’ ⁶ Then his master must take him to the judges. His master must take him to the door or doorpost of his master’s house. His master must poke a hole through his servant’s earlobe into the door or doorpost. Then he will become his servant for life.

⁷ “Suppose a man sells his daughter as a servant. Then she can’t go free as male servants do. ⁸ But what if the master who has chosen her does not like her? Then he must let the man buy her back. He has no right to sell her to strangers. He has broken his promise to her. ⁹ What if he chooses her to marry his son? Then he must grant her the rights of a daughter. ¹⁰ What if her master marries another woman? He must still give the first one her food and clothes and sleep with her. ¹¹ If he does not provide her with those three things, she can go free. She does not have to pay anything.

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.

²⁸ “Suppose a bull kills a man or woman with its horns. Then you must kill the bull by throwing stones at it. Its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held accountable. ²⁹ But suppose the bull has had the habit of attacking people. And suppose the owner has been warned but has not kept it fenced in. Then if it kills a man or woman, you must kill it with stones. The owner must also be put to death. ³⁰ But suppose payment is required of him instead. Then the owner can save his life by paying what is required. ³¹ The same law applies if the bull wounds a son or daughter with its horns. ³² Suppose the bull wounds a male or female slave. Then the owner must pay the slave’s master about 12 ounces of silver. You must kill the bull with stones.

³³ “Suppose someone uncovers a pit or digs one and does not cover it. And suppose an ox or donkey falls into it. ³⁴ Then the person who opened the pit must pay the animal’s owner for the loss. The dead animal will belong to the person who opened the pit.

³⁵ “Suppose someone’s bull wounds a neighbor’s bull and it dies. Then the owner and the neighbor must sell the live one. And they must share the money and the dead animal equally. ³⁶ But suppose people knew that the bull had the habit of attacking. And suppose the owner did not keep it fenced in. Then the owner must give another animal to pay for the dead animal. And the dead animal will belong to the owner.

Laws About Keeping Property Safe

22 “Suppose someone steals an ox or a sheep. And suppose that person kills it or sells it. Then the thief must pay back five oxen for the ox. Or the thief must pay back four sheep for the sheep.

² “Suppose you catch a thief breaking into your house at night. And suppose you hit the thief and the thief dies. Then you are not guilty of murder. ³ But suppose it happens after the sun has come up. Then you are guilty of murder.

“Anyone who steals must pay for whatever they steal. But suppose the thief does not have anything. Then the thief must be sold to pay for what was stolen. ⁴ What if the stolen ox, donkey or sheep is found alive with the thief? Then the thief must pay back twice as much.

⁵ “Suppose someone lets their livestock eat grass in someone else’s field or vineyard. Then they must pay that person back from the best crops of their own field or vineyard.

⁶ “Suppose a fire breaks out and spreads into bushes. Suppose it burns cut and stacked grain or grain that is still growing. Or suppose it burns the whole field. Then the one who started the fire must pay for the loss.

⁷ “Suppose someone gives a neighbor silver or other things to keep safe. And suppose they are stolen from the neighbor’s house. The thief, if caught, must pay back twice as much as was stolen. ⁸ But suppose the thief is not found. Then the neighbor must go to the judges. They will decide whether the neighbor has stolen the other person’s property. ⁹ Suppose you have an ox, donkey, sheep or clothing that does not belong to you. Or you have other property lost by someone else. And suppose someone says, ‘That belongs to me.’ Then both people must bring their case to the judges. The one the judges decide is guilty must pay back twice as much to the other person.

¹⁰ “Suppose someone asks their neighbor to take care of a donkey, ox, sheep or any other animal. And suppose the animal dies or gets hurt. Or suppose it is stolen while no one is looking. ¹¹ Then the problem will be settled by promising the Lord to tell the truth. Suppose the neighbor says, ‘I didn’t steal your property.’ Then the owner must accept what the neighbor says. No payment is required. ¹² But suppose the animal really was stolen. Then the neighbor must pay the owner back. ¹³ Or suppose it was torn to pieces by a wild animal. Then the neighbor must bring in what is left as proof. No payment is required.

¹⁴ “Suppose someone borrows an animal from their neighbor. And it gets hurt or dies while the owner is not there. Then the borrower must pay for it. ¹⁵ But suppose the owner is with the animal. Then the borrower will not have to pay. If the borrower hired the animal, the money paid to hire it covers the loss.

Laws About Social Problems

¹⁶ “Suppose a man meets a virgin who is not engaged. And he talks her into having sex with him. Then he must pay her father the price for a bride. And he must marry her. ¹⁷ But suppose her father absolutely refuses to give her to him. Then he must still pay the price for getting married to a virgin.

¹⁸ “Do not let a woman who does evil magic stay alive. Put her to death.

¹⁹ “Anyone who has sex with an animal must be put to death.

²⁰ “Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed.

²¹ “Do not treat outsiders badly. Do not give them a hard time. Remember, you were outsiders in Egypt.

²² “Do not take advantage of widows. Do not take advantage of children whose fathers have died. ²³ If you do, they might cry out to me. I will certainly hear them. ²⁴ And I will get angry. I will kill you with a sword. Your wives will become widows. Your children’s fathers will die.

²⁵ “Suppose you lend money to one of my people among you who is in need. Then do not treat it like a business deal. Do not charge any interest at all. ²⁶ Suppose your neighbor owes you money and gives you a coat as a promise to pay it back. Then return it by sunset. ²⁷ That coat is the only thing your neighbor owns to wear or sleep in. When they cry out to me, I will listen, because I am loving and kind.

²⁸ “Do not speak evil things against God. Do not curse the ruler of your people.

²⁹ “Do not keep for yourself your grain offerings or wine offerings.

“You must give me the oldest of your sons. ³⁰ Do the same with your cattle and sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days. But give them to me on the eighth day.

³¹ “I want you to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of any animal that has been torn by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.

Laws About Mercy and Fairness

23 “Do not spread reports that are false. Do not help a guilty person by telling lies in court.

² “Do not follow the crowd when they do what is wrong. When you are a witness in court, do not turn what is right into what is wrong. Do not go along with the crowd. ³ Do not show favor to a poor person in court.

⁴ “Suppose you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away. Then be sure to return it. ⁵ Suppose you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has fallen down under its load. Then do not leave it there. Be sure you help them with it.

⁶ “Be fair to your poor people in their court cases. ⁷ Do not have anything to do with a false charge. Do not put to death people not guilty of doing anything wrong. I will not let guilty people go free.

⁸ “Do not take money from people who want special favors. It makes you blind to the truth. It twists the words of good people.

⁹ “Do not treat outsiders badly. You yourselves know how it feels to be outsiders. Remember, you were outsiders in Egypt.

Sabbath Laws

¹⁰ “For six years plant your fields and gather your crops. ¹¹ But during the seventh year do not plow your land or use it. Then the poor people among you can get food from it. The wild animals can eat what is left over. Do the same thing with your vineyards and your groves of olive trees.

¹² “Do all your work in six days. But do not do any work on the seventh day. Then your oxen and donkeys can rest. The slaves born in your house can be renewed. And so can the outsiders who live among you.

¹³ “Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not speak the names of other gods. Do not even let them be heard on your lips.

Laws About Celebrating the Three Main Feasts

¹⁴ “Three times a year you must celebrate a feast in my honor.

¹⁵ “Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days, eat bread made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Do it at the appointed time in the month of Aviv. You came out of Egypt in that month.

“You must not come to worship me with your hands empty.

¹⁶ “Celebrate the Feast of Weeks. Bring the first share of your crops from your fields.

“Celebrate the Feast of Booths. Hold it in the fall when you gather in your crops from your fields.

¹⁷ “Three times a year all your men must come to worship me. I am your Lord and King.

¹⁸ “Do not include anything made with yeast when you offer me the blood of a sacrifice.

“Suppose the fat from sacrifices is left over from my feasts. Then do not keep it until morning.

¹⁹ “Bring the best of the first share of your crops to my house. I am the Lord your God.

“Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

God’s Angel Will Prepare the Way

²⁰ “I am sending an angel ahead of you. He will guard you along the way. He will bring you to the place I have prepared. ²¹ Pay attention to him. Listen to what he says. Do not refuse to obey him. He will not forgive you if you turn against him. He has my full authority. ²² Listen carefully to what he says. Do everything I say. Then I will be an enemy to your enemies. I will fight against those who fight against you. ²³ My angel will go ahead of you. He will bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites. I will wipe them out. ²⁴ Do not do what they do. Do not bow down to their gods or worship them. You must destroy the statues of their gods. You must break their sacred stones to pieces. ²⁵ Worship the Lord your God. Then he will bless your food and water. I, the Lord, will take away any sickness you may have. ²⁶ In your land no woman will give birth to a dead baby. Every woman will be able to have children. I will give you a long life.

²⁷ “I will send my terror ahead of you. I will throw every nation you meet into a panic. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run away. ²⁸ I will send hornets ahead of you. They will drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. ²⁹ But I will not drive them out in just one year. If I did, the land would be deserted. There would be too many wild animals for you. ³⁰ I will drive them out ahead of you little by little. I will do that until there are enough of you to take control of the land.

³¹ “I will make your borders secure from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. They will go from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will hand over to you the people who live in the land. You will drive them out to make room for yourselves. ³² Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. ³³ Do not let them live in your land. If you do, they will cause you to sin against me. If you worship their gods, that will certainly be a trap for you.”

The Blood of the Covenant

24 The Lord said to Moses, “You and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 of the elders of Israel must come to worship the Lord. Do not come close when you worship. ² Only Moses can come close to me. The others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

³ Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws. They answered with one voice. They said, “We will do everything the Lord has told us to do.” ⁴ Then Moses wrote down everything the Lord had said.

Moses got up early the next morning. He built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He set up 12 stone pillars. They stood for the 12 tribes of Israel. ⁵ Then he sent young Israelite men to sacrifice burnt offerings. They also sacrificed young bulls as friendship offerings to the Lord. ⁶ Moses put half of the blood in bowls. He splashed the other half against the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They answered, “We will do everything the Lord has told us to do. We will obey him.”

⁸ Then Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people. He said, “This is the blood that puts the covenant into effect. The Lord has made this covenant with you in keeping with all these words.”

⁹ Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders of Israel went up. ¹⁰ They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a street made out of lapis lazuli. It was as bright blue as the sky itself. ¹¹ But God didn’t destroy those Israelite leaders when they saw him. They ate and drank.

¹² The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay here. I will give you the stone tablets. They contain the law and commandments I have written to teach the people.”

¹³ Then Moses and Joshua, his helper, started out. Moses went up on the mountain of God. ¹⁴ He said to the elders, “Wait for us here until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. Anyone who has a problem can go to them.”

¹⁵ Moses went up on the mountain. Then the cloud covered it. ¹⁶ The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. The cloud covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called out to Moses from inside the cloud. ¹⁷ The people of Israel saw the glory of the Lord. It looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain. ¹⁸ Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.