33 “If anyone uncovers a pit(A) or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the one who opened the pit must pay the owner for the loss and take the dead animal in exchange.

35 “If anyone’s bull injures someone else’s bull and it dies, the two parties are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally. 36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up,(B) the owner must pay, animal for animal, and take the dead animal in exchange.

Protection of Property

22 [a]“Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back(C) five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

“If a thief is caught breaking in(D) at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;(E) but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.

“Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution,(F) but if they have nothing, they must be sold(G) to pay for their theft. If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession(H)—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.(I)

“If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution(J) from the best of their own field or vineyard.

“If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks(K) of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.(L)

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:1 In Hebrew texts 22:1 is numbered 21:37, and 22:2-31 is numbered 22:1-30.

Bible Gateway Recommends