“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

“When a man gives his neighbor valuables[a] or goods to keep, but they are stolen from that person’s house, the thief, if caught, must repay double. If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges[b] to determine[c] whether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property.(A) In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘That’s mine,’[d] the case between the two parties is to come before the judges.[e] The one the judges condemn[f] must repay double to his neighbor.

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

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.

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Footnotes

  1. 22:7 Lit silver
  2. 22:8 Or to God
  3. 22:8 LXX, Tg, Vg read swear
  4. 22:9 Lit That is it
  5. 22:9 Or before God
  6. 22:9 Or one whom God condemns

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

“If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping(C) and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.(D) But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges,(E) and they must[a] determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property. In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.[b](F) The one whom the judges declare[c] guilty must pay back double to the other.

10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping(G) and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking, 11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath(H) before the Lord that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required. 12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution(I) must be made to the owner. 13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.(J)

14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 22:8 Or before God, and he will
  2. Exodus 22:9 Or before God
  3. Exodus 22:9 Or whom God declares