Exodus 22:1-8 ▼

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.

2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

3 But 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.

4 If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

5 If 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.

6 If 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.

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 pay back 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.