Theft and Compensation

1 “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck and dies, there is no guilt for shedding innocent blood on his account. 2 If the sun has risen over him, there is guilt for shedding innocent blood on his account. He must make full restitution. If he has nothing, he must be sold for his theft. 3 If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether an ox, donkey, or lamb, he must repay double. 4 If a man sets fire to a field or vineyard and lets the fire spread into another’s field, he must repay with the best of his field and the best of the vineyard.⁠a 5 If fire breaks out, catches thorns, and consumes stacked grain, standing grain, or a field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.

Property Entrusted to Others

6 If a man gives his neighbor money or articles to keep and they are stolen from the man’s house, the thief must repay double if he is found. 7 If the thief is not found, the householder must approach the judges to swear that he has not taken his neighbor’s property. 8 In every sinful dispute, whether about an ox, donkey, lamb, garment, or anything lost that someone claims as his own, both parties’ statements must come before the judges. The one the judges find guilty must repay his neighbor double. 9 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, ox, lamb, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is injured, or is carried away without anyone seeing it, 10 there must be an oath of the Lord between the two that he has not taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept the oath, and he need not pay restitution. 11 But if it is stolen from him, he must repay its owner. 12 If it is torn to pieces, they must bring witnesses. He need not pay restitution for the dead animal. 13 If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he must make full restitution. 14 If its owner is with it, he need not make restitution. If it was rented, it is received for the rental fee.

Marriage and Forbidden Acts

15 If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price for her and take her as his wife. 16 If her father firmly refuses to give her to him, he must still weigh out money according to the law of a virgin’s bride-price. 17 My people, sons of Israel, do not let any sorcerer or sorceress live. 18 Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death. 19 Whoever sacrifices before other idols, except before the Lord alone, must be destroyed.

Protecting Foreigners, Widows, and Orphans

20 Do not mistreat or oppress the sojourner, because you lived as residents in the land of Egypt. 21 My people, sons of Israel, do not afflict any widow or orphans. 22 If you afflict them and one cries out before me against you, I will hear his prayer, for I am gracious and merciful. 23 Take care that my anger does not grow fierce and I kill you with the sword, making your wives widows and your sons orphans.

Lending to the Poor

24 If you lend money to my people, to the poor person among you, do not act as a harsh creditor toward him or charge him interest or an additional amount on the loan. 25 If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, return it to him before sunset, 26 for it is his only covering, the garment for the skin of his body. What will he sleep in? If he cries out before me against you, I will hear his prayer, for I am gracious and merciful.

Offerings and Respect for Authority

27 My people, sons of Israel, do not despise your judges or curse the ruler among your people. 28 Do not delay gathering your tithes and priestly contribution. Consecrate your firstborn male sons to my Name. 29 Do the same with your cattle and sheep. For seven days the young animal must be reared behind its mother; on the eighth day they must set it apart to my Name. 30 You must be a people consecrated to my Name. Do not eat meat torn by a wild animal, killed out in the field. Throw it to a dog, or throw it to a gentile stranger, who is compared to a dog.⁠b