Sinai & The Law

If 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,

an 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.

But if the animal was actually stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner.

If the animal was torn to pieces, he shall bring it as evidence; he need not make restitution for the torn carcass.

If 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.

If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.

If 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.

If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

You must not allow a sorceress to live.

Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death.

If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.

You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.

If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.

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

If 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.

If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset,

because 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.

You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

You must not hold back offerings from your granaries or vats. You are to give Me the firstborn of your sons.

You 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.

You 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.

“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.

And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.