Exodus

If a thief is caught breaking into a house and receives a mortal blow, the man who struck him will not be guilty of his death;

but if it happened after dawn, he will be guilty of murder. The thief must make full restitution. If he cannot do this, he must be sold for the value of what he has stolen.

If what has been stolen is found alive in his possession, be it an ox, donkey, or sheep, he must pay double.

If a man puts his animals to graze and lets them stray and feed in another man’s field or vineyard, he must make good the loss with the best of his own crop and the best of his vineyard.

When a fire breaks out and spreads through the thorn bushes, burning the grain that is either stacked or growing there, the one who started the fire must pay for the damage.

If a man gives money or goods to another to keep for him, and they are stolen, the thief, if he is found, shall pay back double.

Should the thief not be found, the man who owns the house must swear before the judges that he has not stolen the other man’s property.

Whenever there is a failure of trust, whether it concerns an ox, donkey, sheep, clothing, or any other lost object, the case shall be brought before the judges. The person the judges find guilty shall pay double to the other.

If a man entrusts his donkey, cow, sheep, or other animals to his neighbor, and the animal dies or is injured or is carried off without being seen,

an oath before the Lord shall prove that the man has not stolen the other’s property. The animal’s owner shall accept the oath, and the other shall not make restitution.

But if the animal has been stolen, restitution shall be made.

If wild beasts killed the animal, the man must bring the remains as evidence, but shall not pay anything.

When a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and the animal is injured or dies when the owner is not present, the man who borrowed must pay for it.

But if the owner is present, the borrower need not pay.

If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall pay the “bride price” and marry her.

If her father refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to that for a virgin given in marriage.

Apodictic Legislation (Divine Laws)

You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

Whoever has sexual relations with a beast shall die.

Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord shall die.

You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

You shall not harm the widow or the orphan.

If you do harm them and they cry out to me, I will hear them

and my anger will blaze and I will kill you with the sword, and your own wives will be widows and your own children orphans.

If you lend money to any of my poor people, do not act like a moneylender and do not charge them interest.

If you ever take a person’s cloak as a pledge, you must give it back to him by sunset,

for it is all the covering he has for his body. In what else will he sleep? And when he cries to me, I will hear him, for I am full of pity.

Do not revile God or curse a ruler of your people.

Do not delay giving me my share of your wheat and wine.

You shall give me the firstborn of your sons.

It shall be the same for your cattle and sheep. The firstborn shall stay with its mother for seven days; you shall give it to me on the eighth day.

You shall be consecrated to my service. Do not eat the flesh torn by wild animals; let it be given to the dogs.