Theft, Property, and Restitution

1 If a thief is found breaking in, and he is struck and dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him. 2 If the eyes of witnesses fall upon him,⁠a there shall be bloodguilt for him; he shall surely make restitution. If he has nothing, he shall be sold for his theft. 3 If the stolen animal, whether ox or donkey, is found alive in his possession, he shall pay back double. 4 If a man lays waste a field or a vineyard, or sends his cattle to graze in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his field and the best of his vineyard. 5 If a fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that sheaves or standing grain or the field are consumed, the one who started the fire shall surely make restitution. 6 When a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, and they are stolen from the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay back double. 7 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall be brought before the judges to swear that he has not laid his hand on his neighbor's property. 8 In every case of wrongdoing, whether about an ox, a donkey, a lamb, clothing, or anything lost of which someone says, This is it, the case of both parties shall come before the judges, and the one whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. 9 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a lamb or any animal to keep, and it dies, or is injured, or is driven away, with no one seeing it, 10 an oath before the Lord shall be between them that he has not laid his hand on his neighbor's property, and its owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 11 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner; 12 and if it is torn by a wild animal, let him bring witnesses that it was torn; he shall not make restitution. 13 And if a man borrows from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall surely make restitution. 14 But if its owner was with it, he shall not make restitution. If it was hired, let it be considered covered by its hire.

Responsibilities toward Others and before God

15 And if a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall surely take her as his wife. 16 If her father refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins. 17 You shall not let a sorceress live. 18 Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. 19 Whoever sacrifices to the idols of the nations shall be put to death, except sacrifice to the Name of the Lord alone. 20 And you shall not wrong a proselyte or oppress him; for you were residents in the land of Egypt. 21 You shall not mistreat any widow or orphan: 22 if you mistreat them in any way, and they cry out before Me, I will surely hear their cry; 23 and My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. 24 If you lend money to My people, to the poor who are with you, you shall not act like a creditor to him, and you shall not impose harm upon him. 25 If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 26 For it may be his only covering; for then it is the clothing for his skin: in what shall he sleep? And when he cries out before Me, I will listen; for I am merciful. 27 Do not revile the judges,⁠b nor curse the ruler of My people. 28 You shall not delay to offer your firstfruits and your tithes: the firstborn of your sons you shall set apart before Me; 29 you shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. Seven days the firstborn shall stay with its mother; on the eighth day you shall set it apart before Me. 30 And you shall be holy men before Me; and you shall not eat flesh torn from a living animal; you shall throw it to the dogs.