< Exodus 22 >
1 Yahweh also said, “If someone steals a bull or a sheep, and then slaughters it [to sell it or to sacrifice it] or sells its [meat to someone else], he must pay five bulls for the bull [that he stole], and [he must pay] four sheep for the sheep [that he stole].
And if one steal an ox or a sheep, and kill it or sell it, he shall pay five calves for a calf, and four sheep for a sheep.
2 If a thief is caught while he is breaking into someone else’s house [at night], if [the one who catches him] kills the thief, he is not guilty of murdering him.
And if the thief be found in the breach [made by himself] and be struck and die, there shall not be blood shed for him.
3 But if that happens during the daytime, [the one who killed the thief] is guilty of murdering him. The thief must pay for what he stole. If he has no [animals with which to pay for the one that he stole], he must be sold to [become someone’s else’s slave and the money must be used] to pay for what he stole.
But if the sun be risen upon him, he is guilty, he shall die instead; and if a thief have nothing, let him be sold in compensation for what he has stolen.
4 If the thief still has the animal when he is caught, whether it is a bull or a donkey or a sheep, and it is still alive, the thief must give back [the stolen animal as well as giving] two [additional] animals for each one that he stole.
And if the thing stolen be left and be in his hand alive, whether ox or sheep, he shall restore them two-fold.
5 If someone allows his animals to (graze/eat the grass) in his field or in his vineyard, and if they stray away and eat the crops in another person’s field, the owner of the animals must pay [the owner of those crops] by giving him the best crops from his own field or vineyard.
And if any one should feed down a field or a vineyard, and should send in his beast to feed down another field, he shall make compensation of his own field according to his produce; and if he shall have fed down the whole field, he shall pay for compensation the best of his own field and the best of his vineyard.
6 Suppose someone starts a fire in his own field, and the fire spreads through the grass and starts burning in someone else’s field, and the fire burns grain that is growing or grain that is already [cut and] stacked. Then the person who started the fire must pay completely for the damage.
And if fire have gone forth and caught thorns, and should also set on fire threshing-floors or ears of corn or a field, he that kindled the fire shall make compensation.
7 Suppose someone gives to another person some money or other valuable goods and asks him to guard them [in his house for a while]. If those things are stolen from that person’s house, if the thief is caught, he must pay back twice [as much as he stole].
And if any one give to his neighbor money or goods to keep, and they be stolen out of the man's house, if the thief be found he shall repay double.
8 But if the thief is not caught, the owner of the house [from which the things were stolen] must stand before the judges, so that the judges can determine whether [the owner of the house] was the one who took the other man’s goods [and sold them to someone else].
But if the thief be not found, the master of the house shall come forward before God, and shall swear that surely he has not wrought wickedly in regard of any part of his neighbor's deposit,
9 If two people argue about which one of them owns a bull or a donkey or a sheep or some clothing, or something else that has been lost, the two people who each claim/say that the item belongs to them must stand before the judges. The one whom the judges declare is lying must pay back [to the real owner] twice as many bulls or donkeys or sheep or pieces of clothing.
according to every injury alleged, both concerning a calf, and an ass, and a sheep, and a garment, and every alleged loss, whatever in fact it may be, —the judgment of both shall proceed before God, and he that is convicted by God shall repay to his neighbor double.
10 Suppose someone gives his donkey or bull or sheep or some other animal to someone else and asks him to take care of it [for a while], and the animal dies or is injured or is stolen while no one is watching.
And if any one give to his neighbor to keep a calf or sheep or any beast, and it be wounded or die or be taken, and no one know,
11 Then the person [who was taking care of the animal] must (swear/solemnly declare), knowing that God is listening, that he did not steal the animal. If he did not steal it the owner of the animal must accept/believe that the other person is telling the truth, and the other person will not have to pay anything back to the owner.
an oath of God shall be between both, [each swearing] that he has surely not at all been guilty in the matter of his neighbor's deposit; and so his master shall hold him guiltless, and he shall not make compensation.
12 But if the animal was stolen [while he was supposed to be taking care of it], the man who promised to take care of it must pay back the owner for the animal.
And if it be stolen from him, he shall make compensation to the owner.
13 If [he says that] the animal was killed by wild animals, he must bring back the remains of the animal that was killed and show it to the animal’s owner. If he does that, he will not have to pay anything for the animal.
And if it be seized of beasts, he shall bring him to [witness] the prey, and he shall not make compensation.
14 If someone borrows an animal, and if that animal is hurt or dies when its owner is not there, the one who borrowed it must pay the owner for the animal.
And if any one borrow [ought] of his neighbor, and it be wounded or die or be carried away, and the owner of it be not with it, he shall make compensation.
15 But if that happens when the owner of the animal is there, the one who borrowed it will not have to pay back anything. If the man who borrowed it only rented it, the money that he paid to rent it will be enough to pay for the animal [dying or being injured].”
But if the owner be with it, he shall not make compensation: but if it be a hired thing, there shall be [a compensation] to him instead of his hire.
16 “If a man persuades a girl/woman to have sex with him, a girl/woman who (is a virgin/has never had sex with any man) and who is not engaged to be married, he must pay the bride price for her and marry her.
And if any one deceive a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her for a wife to himself.
17 But if her father refuses to allow her to marry him, he must pay to the woman’s father the amount of money that is equal to the amount of bride price money that men pay for virgins.
And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins.
18 You must execute any woman who (practices sorcery/is a shaman).
You shall not save the lives of sorcerers.
19 You must execute any person who has sex with an animal.
Every one that lies with a beast you shall surely put to death.
20 You [must offer sacrifices] only to Yahweh. You must execute anyone who offers a sacrifice to any [other] god.
He that sacrifices to any gods but to the Lord alone, shall be destroyed by death.
21 You must not mistreat a foreigner [who comes to live among you]. Do not forget that you were previously foreigners in Egypt.
And you shall not hurt a stranger, nor afflict him; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 You must not mistreat any widow or any orphan.
You shall hurt no widow or orphan.
23 If you mistreat them and they cry out to me [for help], I will hear them.
And if you should afflict them by ill-treatment, and they should cry aloud to me, I will surely hear their voice.
24 And I will be angry with you, and I will cause you to be killed in a war [MTY]. Your wives will become widows, and your children will no longer have fathers.
And I will be very angry, and will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows and your children orphans.
25 If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest on the money.
And if you should lend money to your poor brother who is by you, you shall not be hard upon him you shall not exact usury of him.
26 If he gives you his cloak to guarantee [that he will pay the money back], you must give the cloak back to him before the sun goes down,
And if you take your neighbor's garment for a pledge, you shall restore it to him before sunset.
27 because he needs it to keep him warm [during the night]. (That is the only covering that poor people have when they sleep at night./What else will he cover himself with during the night?) [RHQ] [If you do not act mercifully toward him by returning his cloak], when he cries out to me asking for my help, I will help him, because I [always act] mercifully.
For this is his clothing, this is the only covering of his nakedness; wherein shall he sleep? If then he shall cry to me, I will listen to him, for I am merciful.
28 Do not (revile/speak evil about) me, and do not (curse/ask me to do harmful things to) any ruler of your people.
You shall not revile the gods, nor speak ill of the ruler of your people.
29 (Do not withhold from/Give) me the best parts of the grain that you harvest and of the olive oil and the wine that you produce.
You shall not keep back the first fruits of your threshing floor and press. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.
30 You must dedicate your firstborn sons to me. Similarly, your firstborn [male] cattle and sheep belong to me. After those animals are born, allow them to stay with their mothers for seven days. On the eighth day, offer them to me [as a sacrifice].
So shall you do with your calf and your sheep and your ass; seven days shall it be under the mother, and the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31 You are people who are (completely dedicated to/set apart for) me. [And I detest] the meat of any animal that has been killed by wild animals. Therefore you should not eat such meat. Instead, throw it where the dogs [can eat it].”
And you shall be holy men to me; and you shall not eat flesh taken of beasts, you shall cast it to the dog.