Property Laws
1. If a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
2. If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.
3. But if this happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution. If he lacks the means, he shall be sold to pay for his theft.
4. If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must repay double.
5. If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard, and he lets them stray and graze in another man’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.
6. If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or standing grain or the whole field is consumed, the one who started the fire must make full restitution.
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 repay 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.
9. In any case of wrongdoing, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges condemn must repay double to his neighbor.
10. If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to care for, but it dies, is injured, or is taken away while no one is looking,
11. an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath, and no restitution will be required.
12. But if the animal was stolen from his care, he must make restitution to its owner.
13. If it was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.
14. If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while the owner is absent, he must make full restitution.
15. If the owner was with the animal, no restitution will be required. If the animal was hired, the fee covers the loss.
Laws of Social Responsibility
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.
17. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay an amount in silver equal to the dowry for virgins.
18. You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19. Whoever has sexual relations with an animal must surely be put to death.
20. Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be set apart for destruction.
21. You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22. You shall not mistreat any widow or orphan.
23. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear 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 fatherless.
25. If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; instead, charge no interest.
26. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,
27. for it is his only covering; it is the garment for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
28. You shall not blaspheme God or curse a ruler of your people.
29. You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. You are to 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.
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.