Exodus 22

1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.

“Anyone who steals an ox or a sheep and kills or sells it, he must pay back five oxen for one ox and four sheep for one sheep.

2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

If a thief is discovered breaking into someone's house and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of murder.

3 But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft.

But if it happens during daylight, then someone is guilty of murder. A thief must pay everything back that's stolen. If he doesn't have anything, then he must be sold to pay for what was stolen.

4 If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

If what was stolen is a live animal he still has, whether it's an ox, donkey, or sheep, he must pay back double.

5 If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.

If livestock are grazing in a field or vineyard and their owner lets them stray so that they graze in someone else's field, the owner must pay compensation from the best of their own fields or vineyards.

6 If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.

If a fire is started and it spreads to thorn bushes and then burns stacked or standing grain, or even the whole field, the person who started the fire must pay full compensation.

7 If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.

If someone gives his neighbor money or possessions to be kept safe and they are stolen from the neighbor's house, if the thief is caught they must pay back double.

8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has taken his neighbor’s property.

If the thief isn't caught the owner of the house must appear before the judges to find out whether he took his neighbor's property.

9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor.

If there's an argument over the ownership of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything that was lost that someone says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their case before the judges. The one whom the judges find in the wrong must pay the other back double.

10 If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,

If someone asks a neighbor to look after a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal, but it dies or is injured or is stolen without anybody noticing,

11 an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

then an oath must be taken before the Lord to decide if the neighbor has taken the owner's property. The owner must accept the oath and not demand compensation.

12 But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.

However, if the animal really was stolen from the neighbor, he must compensate the owner.

13 If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.

If it was killed and torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall present the carcass as evidence and does not need to pay compensation.

14 If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.

If someone borrows a neighbor's animal and it's injured or dies while its owner is not present, they must pay compensation in full.

15 If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.

If the owner was present, no compensation is to be paid. If the animal was hired, only the hire charge needs to be paid.

16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.

If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the full bride-price for her to become his wife.

17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

If her father adamantly refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay the same amount as the bride-price for a virgin.

18 You must not allow a sorceress to live.

You must not allow a woman who practices witchcraft to live.

19 Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.

Anyone who has sex with an animal must be executed.

20 If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.

Anyone who sacrifices to any other god than the Lord must be set apart and executed.

21 You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

You must not exploit or mistreat a foreigner. Remember that you yourselves were once foreigners in Egypt.

22 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.

You must not take advantage of any widow or orphan.

23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.

If you mistreat them, and they call out to me for help, I will definitely respond to their cry.

24 My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.

I will become angry, and I will kill you with the sword. Your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.

25 If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

If you lend money to any of my people because they're poor, you must not behave as a moneylender to them. You must not charge them any interest.

26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,

If you require your neighbor's cloak as security for a loan, you must return it to him by sunset,

27 because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

because it's the only clothing he has for his body. What would he sleep in otherwise? If he calls out to me for help, I will listen, for I am considerate.

28 You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

You must not despise God or curse your people's leader.

29 You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.

You must not hold onto the required offerings of your produce, olive oil, and wine. You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.

You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats. They can stay with their mothers for their first seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.

31 You are to be My holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; you are to throw it to the dogs.

You are to be holy people to me. You must not eat any animal carcass that you find in the countryside that has been killed by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs to eat.”