Exodus 22:7–15

Laws about Personal Property

⁷“When a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep, but they are stolen from that person’s house, the thief, if caught, must repay double. ⁸If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must present himself to the judges ^jto determine ^kwhether or not he has taken his neighbor’s property. ^l9In any case of wrongdoing involving an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or anything else lost, and someone claims, ‘That’s mine,’ ^mthe case between the two parties is to come before the judges. ⁿThe one the judges condemn ^omust 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, ¹¹there 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. ¹²But if, in fact, the animal was stolen from his custody, he must make restitution to its owner. ^p13If 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. ¹⁵If its owner is there with it, the man does not have to make restitution. If it was rented, the loss is covered by ^qits rental price.