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Exodus 22 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

Laws about Theft
Exo 22:1

“When a man steals an ox or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must repay five cattle for the ox or four sheep for the sheep.

Exo 22:2

“If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is beaten to death, no one is guilty of bloodshed.

Exo 22:3

“But if this happens after sunrise, the householder is guilty of bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution. If he is unable, he is to be sold because of his theft.

Exo 22:4

“If what was stolen ​— ​whether ox, donkey, or sheep ​— ​is actually found alive in his possession, he must repay double.

Laws about Crop Protection
Exo 22:5

“When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed in, and then allows his animals to go and graze in someone else’s field, he must repay[fn] with the best of his own field or vineyard.

Exo 22:6

“When a fire gets out of control, spreads to thornbushes, and consumes stacks of cut grain, standing grain, or a field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution for what was burned.

Laws about Personal Property
Exo 22:7

“When a man gives his neighbor valuables[fn] or goods to keep, but they are stolen from that person’s house, the thief, if caught, must repay double.

Exo 22:8

“If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges[fn] to determine[fn] whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property.

Exo 22:9

“In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘That’s mine,’[fn] the case between the two parties is to come before the judges.[fn] The one the judges condemn[fn] must repay double to his neighbor.

Exo 22:10

“When 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 stolen, while no one is watching,

Exo 22:11

“there must be an oath before the LORD between the two of them to determine whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. Its owner must accept the oath, and the other man does not have to make restitution.

Exo 22:12

“But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make restitution to its owner.

Exo 22:13

“If it was actually torn apart by a wild animal, he is to bring it as evidence; he does not have to make restitution for the torn carcass.

Exo 22:14

“When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not there with it, the man must make full restitution.

Exo 22:15

“If its owner is there with it, the man does not have to make restitution. If it was rented, the loss is covered by[fn] its rental price.

Laws about Seduction
Exo 22:16

“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and he sleeps with her, he must certainly pay the bridal price for her to be his wife.

Exo 22:17

“If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price for virgins.

Capital Offenses
Exo 22:18

“Do not allow a sorceress to live.

Exo 22:19

“Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.

Exo 22:20

“Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the LORD alone, is to be set apart for destruction.

Laws Protecting the Vulnerable
Exo 22:21

“You must not exploit a resident alien or oppress him, since you were resident aliens in the land of Egypt.

Exo 22:22

“You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.

Exo 22:23

“If you do mistreat them, they will no doubt cry to me, and I will certainly hear their cry.

Exo 22:24

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

Exo 22:25

“If you lend silver to my people, to the poor person among you, you must not be like a creditor to him; you must not charge him interest.

Exo 22:26

“If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset.

Exo 22:27

“For it is his only covering; it is the clothing for his body.[fn] What will he sleep in? And if he cries out to me, I will listen because I am gracious.

Respect for God
Exo 22:28

“You must not blaspheme God[fn] or curse a leader among your people.

Exo 22:29

“You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your vats. Give me the firstborn of your sons.

Exo 22:30

“Do the same with your cattle and your flock. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to me.

Exo 22:31

“Be my holy people. You must not eat the meat of a mauled animal found in the field; throw it to the dogs.

CSB Footnotes
LXX adds from his field according to its produce. But if someone lets his animals graze an entire field, he must repay ; DSS, Sam also support this reading.
Lit silver
Or to God
LXX, Tg, Vg read swear
Lit That is it
Or before God
Or one whom God condemns
Lit rented, it comes with
Lit skin
Or judges
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Exodus Chapter 22 — Additional Translations: