^22:1When you see¹ your neighbor’s² ox or sheep going astray, do not ignore it;³ you must return it without fail⁴ to your neighbor. ^22:2If the owner⁵ does not live⁶ near you or you do not know who the owner is,⁷ then you must corral the animal⁸ at your house and let it stay with you until the owner looks for it; then you must return it to him. ^22:3You shall do the same to his donkey, his clothes, or anything else your neighbor⁹ has lost and you have found; you must not refuse to get involved.¹⁰^22:4When you see¹¹ your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it;¹² instead, you must be sure¹³ to help him get the animal on its feet again.¹⁴

Read in Logos

Footnotes

1 Heb “you must not see,” but, if translated literally into English, the statement is misleading.
2 Heb “brother’s” (also later in this verse). In this context it is not limited to one’s siblings, however; cf. “your kinsman’s.”
3 Heb “hide yourself.”
4 The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with the words “without fail.”
5 Heb “your brother” (also later in this verse).
6 Heb “is not.” The idea of “residing” is implied.
7 Heb “and you do not know him.”
8 Heb “it”; the referent (the ox or sheep mentioned in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 Heb “your brother” (also in v. 4).
10 Heb “you must not hide yourself.”
11 Heb “you must not see.” See note at .
12 Heb “and (must not) hide yourself from them.”
13 The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “be sure.”
14 Heb “help him to lift them up.” In keeping with English style the singular is used in the translation, and the referent (“the animal”) has been specified for clarity.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother. And if he does not live near you and you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it. Then you shall restore it to him. And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.

If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“If you see your brother Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother. If your brother does not live near you or you don’t know him, you are to bring the animal to your home to remain with you until your brother comes looking for it; then you can return it to him. Do the same for his donkey, his garment, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen down on the road, do not ignore it; help him lift it up.

NLTNew Living Translation

“If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner. If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. Do the same if you find your neighbor’s donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don’t ignore your responsibility.

“If you see that your neighbor’s donkey or ox has collapsed on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it back on its feet!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“You shall not watch the ox of your neighbor or his sheep or goat straying and ignore them; certainly you shall return them to your neighbor. And if your countryman is not near you or you do not know who he is, then you shall bring it to your household, and it shall be with you until your countryman seeks after it, and you shall return it to him. And thus also you shall do regarding his donkey, and thus you shall do concerning his garment, and so you shall do with respect to all of the lost property of your countryman that is lost from him and you find it; you are not allowed to withhold help.

“You shall not see the donkey of your neighbor or his ox fallen on the road and you ignore them; certainly you must help them get up along with him.

KJV 1900King James Version

Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

Public Domain