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
Wycliffe Bible
22 If any man stealeth a sheep, or (an) ox, and slayeth, or selleth (it), he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep.
2 And if a night thief breaking (into) an house, either undermining (it), is found (out), and he taken is (made) dead by a wound, or hurt (and when he is caught, he dieth from a wound), the smiter shall not be guilty of his blood, or death;
3 that if he did this when the sun was risen, he did manslaying, and he shall die (but if the lord of the house did this when the sun was up, he hath done manslaughter, and he shall be put to death). If a thief have not that, that he shall yield for [the] theft, he shall be sold (to make recompense);
4 if that thing that he stole, is found quick at him, either ox, either ass, either sheep, he shall restore the double. (if what he stole, is found alive with him, either an ox, or a donkey, or a sheep, he shall restore double what he stole.)
5 If a man harmeth a field, or a vinery, and suffereth his beast, that it waste other men’s things (If anyone harmeth a field, or a vineyard, by allowing his beast to destroy another person’s things), he shall restore for the value of [the] harm (done), (with) the best thing(s) (of) whatever he hath in his (own) field, either in his (own) vinery.
6 If fire goeth out, and findeth, or burneth, ears of corn, and catcheth heaps of corn, or corns standing in (the) fields, he that kindled the fire shall yield (for) the harm (he who kindled the fire shall make recompense for the harm done).
7 If a man betaketh into keeping money to a friend, or a vessel, and it is taken away by theft from him that received it, if the thief is found, he shall restore the double. (If anyone taketh money, or a vessel, to a friend for safe keeping, and it is taken away by theft from him who received it, if the thief is found, he shall restore double what he stole.)
8 (But) If the thief is hid(den), or unknown, the lord of the house that received that good shall be brought to the gods, that is, to (the) judges, and he shall swear, that he held not forth his hand into his neighbour’s thing, to defraud (and he shall swear, that he did not put forth his hand to his neighbour’s thing, to defraud him);
9 as well in ox, as in ass, and in sheep, and in cloth; and in whatever thing may bring in harm, the cause of ever either shall come to the judges, and if they deem him guilty, he shall restore the double to his neighbour. (and with any ox, or donkey, or sheep, or cloak, or whatever thing which may be claimed by two people, the case shall come to the judges, and whom they judge guilty, he shall restore double to his neighbour.)
10 If any man betaketh to his neighbour ox, ass, sheep, and all work beast to keeping, and it is dead, or is made feeble, or is taken of enemies, and no man seeth this, (If anyone taketh an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or any work beast, to his neighbour for safe keeping, and it dieth, or is hurt, or is taken by enemies, but no one seeth this,)
11 an oath shall be in the midst, that he held not forth his hand to the impairing of his neighbour’s thing; and the lord that owned that good shall receive his oath, and he to whom it was taken shall not be compelled to yield, or restore it. (he shall make an oath before all, that he did not put forth his hand to the impairment of his neighbour’s thing; and the lord who owned that thing shall receive his oath, and then he to whom the thing was given shall not be compelled to yield any recompense for it, or to restore it.)
12 That if it is taken away by theft, he shall restore the harm to the lord; (But if it is taken away by theft, he shall yield recompense to its lord for it;)
13 if it is eaten of a beast (and if it is eaten by a wild beast), he shall bring to the lord that that is slain, and he shall not (have to) restore it otherwise.
14 He that asketh of his neighbour anything of these foresaid things by borrowing, and it is enfeebled, either dead, while the lord thereof is not present, he shall be constrained to yield (for) it; (He who asketh to borrow from his neighbour any of these foresaid things, and it is enfeebled, or dead, while its lord is not present, he shall be compelled to yield recompense for it;)
15 that if the lord is in presence, he shall not restore it, mostly if it came hired, that is, if to hire he took it, for meed of his work. (but if its lord was present, he shall not have to restore it, and if it was hired, that is, if he took it to hire, only the wages for its work shall be due.)
16 If a man deceiveth a virgin not yet wedded, and sleepeth with her, he shall give dower to her (he shall give her a dowry), and shall have her to wife.
17 If the father of the virgin will not give her to him, he shall (still) give (the) money, by the manner of dower (in the manner of a dowry), which virgins were wont to take.
18 Thou shalt not suffer witches to live.
19 He that doeth lechery with a beast, die he by death (shall be put to death).
20 He that offereth to (any) gods, except to the Lord alone, be he slain (shall be put to death).
21 Thou shalt not make sorrowful a comeling, neither thou shalt torment him; for also ye were comelings in the land of Egypt (for ye were also newcomers in the land of Egypt).
22 Ye shall not harm a widow, and a fatherless or a motherless child. (Ye shall not harm a widow, or a fatherless or a motherless child.)
23 If ye hurt them, they shall cry to me, and I shall hear the cry of them,
24 and my great vengeance shall have indignation on you, and I shall smite you with sword (and I shall strike you down with a sword), and your wives shall be widows, and your sons shall be fatherless.
25 If thou givest money to loan to my poor people, that dwelleth with thee, thou shalt not constrain him as an extortioner doeth, neither thou shalt oppress him by usuries. (If thou lendest money to anyone of my poor people, who liveth with thee, thou shalt not compel him like an extortioner doeth, nor shalt thou oppress him with usury.)
26 If thou takest of thy neighbour a cloth to wed (If thou takest a cloak from thy neighbour for a pledge), thou shalt yield it (back) to him before the going down of the sun;
27 for that alone is the clothing of his flesh, with which he is covered, neither he hath another, in which he shall sleep; if he crieth to me, I shall hear him; for I am merciful.
28 Thou shalt not backbite [the] gods, that is, (the) priests, or (the) judges, and thou shalt not curse the prince of thy people (and thou shalt not curse the leaders of thy people).
29 Thou shalt not tarry to offer to the Lord thy tithes, and thy first fruits. Thou shalt give to me the first begotten of thy sons (Thou shalt give me thy first-born sons);
30 also of [thine] oxen, and of (thy) sheep, thou shalt do in like manner; seven days be he with his mother, in the eighth day thou shalt yield him to me. (and thou shalt do likewise with thy oxen, and with thy sheep; for seven days let him be with his mother, then on the eighth day thou shalt yield him to me.)
31 Ye shall be holy men to me; ye shall not eat the flesh that is before-tasted of (other) beasts, but ye shall cast it forth to hounds. (Ye shall be holy before me; ye shall not eat the flesh of that which is killed by another beast, but ye shall throw it to the hounds.)
Exodus 22
New King James Version
Responsibility for Property
22 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall (A)restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If the thief is found (B)breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be (C)no guilt for his bloodshed. 3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be (D)sold[a] for his theft. 4 If the theft is certainly (E)found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall (F)restore double.
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
7 “If a man (G)delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, (H)if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the (I)judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor’s goods.
9 “For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the (J)cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. 10 If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it, 11 then an (K)oath of the Lord shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good. 12 But (L)if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it. 13 If it is (M)torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.
14 “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good. 15 If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.
Moral and Ceremonial Principles
16 (N)“If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the (O)bride-price of virgins.
18 (P)“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19 (Q)“Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 (R)“He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
21 (S)“You shall neither mistreat a [b]stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 (T)“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you afflict them in any way, and they (U)cry at all to Me, I will surely (V)hear their cry; 24 and My (W)wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; (X)your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
25 (Y)“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him (Z)interest. 26 (AA)If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am (AB)gracious.
28 (AC)“You shall not revile God, nor curse a (AD)ruler of your people.
29 “You shall not delay to offer (AE)the first of your ripe produce and your juices. (AF)The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. 30 (AG)Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother (AH)seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.
31 “And you shall be (AI)holy men to Me: (AJ)you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
Footnotes
- Exodus 22:3 Sold as a slave
- Exodus 22:21 sojourner
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
