| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. | 1 “If someone steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen. |
| 2If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. | 2 “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder. |
| 3But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. | 3But if it happens in daylight, the one who killed the thief is guilty of murder. “A thief who is caught must pay in full for everything he stole. If he cannot pay, he must be sold as a slave to pay for his theft. |
| 4If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double. | 4If someone steals an ox or a donkey or a sheep and it is found in the thief’s possession, then the thief must pay double the value of the stolen animal. |
| 5If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and allows them to stray so that they graze in someone else’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard. | 5“If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else’s field to graze, then the animal’s owner must pay compensation from the best of his own grain or grapes. |
| 6If a fire breaks out and spreads to thornbushes so that it consumes stacked or standing grain, or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make full restitution. | 6“If you are burning thornbushes and the fire gets out of control and spreads into another person’s field, destroying the sheaves or the uncut grain or the whole crop, the one who started the fire must pay for the lost crop. |
| 7If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double. | 7“Suppose someone leaves money or goods with a neighbor for safekeeping, and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house. If the thief is caught, the compensation is double the value of what was stolen. |
| 8If 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. | 8But if the thief is not caught, the neighbor must appear before God, who will determine if he stole the property. |
| 9In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor. | 9“Suppose there is a dispute between two people who both claim to own a particular ox, donkey, sheep, article of clothing, or any lost property. Both parties must come before God, and the person whom God declares guilty must pay double compensation to the other. |
| 10If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching, | 10“Now suppose someone leaves a donkey, ox, sheep, or any other animal with a neighbor for safekeeping, but it dies or is injured or is taken away, and no one sees what happened. |
| 11an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution. | 11The neighbor must then take an oath in the presence of the LORD. If the LORD confirms that the neighbor did not steal the property, the owner must accept the verdict, and no payment will be required. |
| 12But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner. | 12But if the animal was indeed stolen, the guilty person must pay compensation to the owner. |
| 13If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass. | 13If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the remains of the carcass must be shown as evidence, and no compensation will be required. |
| 14If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution. | 14“If someone borrows an animal from a neighbor and it is injured or dies when the owner is absent, the person who borrowed it must pay full compensation. |
| 15If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss. | 15But if the owner was present, no compensation is required. And no compensation is required if the animal was rented, for this loss is covered by the rental fee. Social Responsibility |
| 16If 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. | 16“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and has sex with her, he must pay the customary bride price and marry her. |
| 17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin. | 17But if her father refuses to let him marry her, the man must still pay him an amount equal to the bride price of a virgin. |
| 18You must not allow a sorceress to live. | 18“You must not allow a sorceress to live. |
| 19Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death. | 19“Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must certainly be put to death. |
| 20If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction. | 20“Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed. |
| 21You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. | 21“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. |
| 22You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. | 22“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. |
| 23If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. | 23If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. |
| 24My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. | 24My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless. |
| 25If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest. | 25“If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. |
| 26If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, | 26If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. |
| 27because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. | 27This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful. |
| 28You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. | 28“You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers. |
| 29You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons. | 29“You must not hold anything back when you give me offerings from your crops and your wine. “You must give me your firstborn sons. |
| 30You 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. | 30“You must also give me the firstborn of your cattle, sheep, and goats. But leave the newborn animal with its mother for seven days; then give it to me on the eighth day. |
| 31You 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. | 31“You must be my holy people. Therefore, do not eat any animal that has been torn up and killed by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs. |
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