Regulations Regarding Hebrew Slaves

1 “These are the ordinances that you must set before them:

1 “Now these are the (A)ordinances which you are to set before them:

1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

1 "These are the ordinances that you are to set before them.

1 “Now these are the ordinances (laws) which you shall set before the Israelites:

Laws About Slaves

2 “When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for six years; then in the seventh he is to leave as a free man(a) without paying anything.(A)

2 “If you buy (B)a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment.

2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

2 "When you acquire a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh he is to go out a free man without paying anything.

2 “If you purchase a Hebrew servant [because of his debt or poverty], he shall serve six years, and in the seventh [year] he shall leave as a free man, paying nothing.(A)

3 If he arrives alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrives with(b) a wife, his wife is to leave with him.

3 If he comes (a)alone, he shall go out (b)alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him.

3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

3 If he came in by himself, he is to go out by himself. If he was married, his wife is to go out with him.

3 If he came [to you] alone, he shall leave alone; if he came married, then his wife shall leave with him.

4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to her master, and the man must leave alone.

4 If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out (c)alone.

4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and children belong to her master, and he is to go out by himself.

4 If his master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall leave [your service] alone.

5 “But if the slave declares: ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I do not want to leave as a free man,’(B)

5 But (C)if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’

5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:

5 But if the servant, in fact, says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children, and I won't go out a free man,'

5 But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not leave as a free man,’

6 his master is to bring him to the judges(c) and then bring him to the door or doorpost. His master must pierce his ear with an awl, and he will serve his master for life.

6 then his master shall bring him to (d)God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.

6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

6 then his master is to bring him before the judges and he is to bring him to the door or to the doorpost. His master is to pierce his ear with an awl, and he is to serve him permanently.

6 then his master shall bring him to God [that is, to the judges who act in God’s name], then he shall bring him to the door or doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl (strong needle); and he shall serve him for life.

7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave,(d) she is not to leave as the male slaves do.(C)

7 (D)If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to (e)go free (E)as the male slaves (f)do.

7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.

7 "When a man sells his daughter as a servant, she won't go out as the male servants do.

7 “If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go free [after six years] as male servants do.

8 If she is displeasing to her master, who chose her for himself, then he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners because he has acted treacherously toward her.

8 If she is (g)displeasing in the eyes of her master (h)who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his (i)unfairness to her.

8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.

8 If she's displeasing to her master who selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He does not have the right to sell her to foreign people, because he has dealt unfairly with her.

8 If she does not please her master who has chosen her for himself [as a wife], he shall let her be redeemed [by her family]. He does not have the authority to sell her to a foreign people, because he has been unfair to her.

9 Or if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her according to the customary treatment of daughters.

9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters.

9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

9 If he has selected her for his son, he is to treat her according to the ordinance for daughters.

9 If her master chooses her [as a wife] for his son, he shall act toward her as if she were legally his daughter.

10 If he takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.(D)

10 If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her (j)food, her clothing, or (F)her conjugal rights.

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

10 If he takes another woman for himself, he may not withhold from the first her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.

10 If her master marries another wife, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her privilege as a wife.

11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she may leave free of charge, without any exchange of money.(e)

11 If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

11 If he does not do these three things for her, she may go out without paying anything at all."

11 If he does not do these three things for her, then shall she leave free, without payment of money.

Laws About Personal Injury

12 “Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death.(E)

12 (G)He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.

12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

12 "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies is certainly to be put to death.

12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must be put to death.

13 But if he didn’t intend any harm,(f) and yet God caused it to happen by his hand, I will appoint a place for you where he may flee.(F)

13 (H)But (k)if he did not lie in wait for him, but (I)God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee.

13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

13 If he didn't lie in wait, but God let him fall into his reach, then I'll appoint for you a place to which he may flee.

13 However, (a)if he did not lie in wait [for him], but God allowed him to fall into his hand, then I will establish for you a (b)place to which he may escape [for protection until duly tried].(B)

14 If a person schemes and willfully(g) acts against his neighbor to murder him, you must take him from My altar to be put to death.(G)

14 (J)If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.

14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

14 If a man acts deliberately against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you are to take him to die even if he's at my altar.

14 But if a man acts intentionally against another and kills him by [design through] treachery, you are to take him from My altar [to which he may have fled for protection], so that he may be put to death.

15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death.

15 “He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

15 "Whoever strikes his father or his mother is certainly to be put to death.

15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death.

16 “Whoever kidnaps a person must be put to death, whether he sells him or the person is found in his possession.(H)

16 (K)He who (l)kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his (m)possession, shall surely be put to death.

16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

16 "Whoever kidnaps a person, whether he has sold him or whether the victim is still in his possession, is certainly to be put to death.

16 “Whoever kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or is found with him in his possession, must be put to death.

17 “Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death.(I)

17 (L)He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

17 "Whoever curses his father or his mother is certainly to be put to death.

17 “Whoever (c)curses his father or his mother or treats them contemptuously must be put to death.

18 “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or his fist, and the injured man does not die but is confined to bed,

18 “If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but (n)remains in bed,

18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:

18 "If people quarrel and one strikes the other with a rock or his fist, and he does not die but ends up in bed,

18 “If men quarrel and one strikes another with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

19 if he can later get up and walk around outside leaning on his staff, then the one who struck him will be exempt from punishment. Nevertheless, he must pay for his lost work time(h) and provide for his complete recovery.

19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for his (o)loss of time, and (p)shall take care of him until he is completely healed.

19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

19 and the injured person then gets up and walks around outside with the help of his staff, the one who struck him is not liable, except that he is to compensate him for his loss of time and take care of his complete recovery.

19 if he gets up and walks around leaning on his cane, then the one who struck him shall be left [physically] unpunished; he must only pay for his loss of time [at work], and the costs [of treatment and recuperation] until he is thoroughly healed.

20 “When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse,(i) the owner must be punished.(j)

20 “If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies (q)at his hand, he shall (r)be punished.

20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

20 "If a man strikes his male or female servant with a stick and he or she dies as a direct result, the master must be punished.

20 “If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a staff and the servant dies at his hand, he must be punished.

21 However, if the slave can stand up after a day or two, the owner should not be punished(k) because he is his owner’s property.(l)(J)

21 If, however, he (s)survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; (M)for he is his (t)property.

21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.

21 But if the servant survives a day or two, the master is not to be punished because the servant is his property.

21 If, however, the servant survives for a day or two, the offender shall not be punished, for the [injured] servant is his own property.

22 “When men get in a fight and hit a pregnant woman so that her children are born prematurely(m) but there is no injury, the one who hit her must be fined as the woman’s husband demands(K) from him, and he must pay according to judicial assessment.

22 “If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that (u)she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband (v)may demand of him, and he shall (N)pay (w)as the judges decide.

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

22 "If two men are fighting and they strike a pregnant woman and her children are born prematurely, but there is no harm, he is certainly to be fined as the husband of the woman demands of him, and he will pay as the court decides.

22 “If men fight with each other and injure a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely [and the baby lives], yet there is no further injury, the one who hurt her must be punished with a fine [paid] to the woman’s husband, as much as the judges decide.

23 If there is an injury, then you must give life for life,

23 But if there is any further injury, (O)then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,

23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

23 If there is harm, then you are to require life for life,

23 But if there is any further injury, then you shall require [as a penalty] life for life,

24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth,(L) hand for hand, foot for foot,

24 (P)eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

24 (d)eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.

25 burn for burn, wound for wound, (x)bruise for bruise.

25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

25 burn for burn, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.

25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “When a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave and destroys it, he must let the slave go free in compensation for his eye.

26 “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye.

26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

26 "If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant and destroys it, he is to release him as a free man in exchange for his eye.

26 “If a man hits the eye of his male servant or female servant and it is destroyed, he must let the servant go free because of [the loss of] the eye.

27 If he knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free in compensation for his tooth.

27 And if he (y)knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.

27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

27 If he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he is to release him as a free man in exchange for his tooth.

27 And if he knocks out the tooth of his male servant or female servant, he must let the servant go free because of [the loss of] the tooth.

The Responsibility Of Owners

28 “When an ox(n) gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned,(M) and its meat may not be eaten, but the ox’s owner is innocent.

28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman (z)to death, (Q)the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished.

28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.

28 "If an ox gores a man or woman so that they die, the ox is certainly to be stoned and its flesh may not be eaten, but the owner of the ox is free from liability.

28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must be stoned and its meat shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be cleared [of responsibility].

29 However, if the ox was in the habit of goring, and its owner has been warned yet does not restrain it, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox must be stoned, and its owner must also be put to death.

29 If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death.

29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.

29 But if the ox has gored previously, and its owner has been warned about it but didn't restrain it, and it kills a man or woman, the ox is to be stoned and its owner also is to be put to death.

29 But if the ox has tried to gore on a previous occasion, and its owner has been warned, but has not kept it confined and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner shall be put to death as well.

30 If instead a ransom(N) is demanded of him, he can pay a redemption price for his life in the full amount demanded from him.

30 If a ransom is (aa)demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is (ab)demanded of him.

30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

30 If a fine is imposed on him, he may pay all that was imposed on him as a ransom for his life.

30 If a ransom is demanded of him [in return for his life], then he shall give whatever is demanded for the redemption of his life.

31 If it gores a son or a daughter, he is to be dealt with according to this same law.

31 Whether it gores a son or (ac)a daughter, it shall be done to him according to (ad)the same rule.

31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

31 This same ordinance applies if it gores a son or daughter.

31 If the ox has gored another’s son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same rule.

32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, he must give 30 shekels(O) of silver(o) to the slave’s master, and the ox must be stoned.

32 If the ox gores a male or female slave, (ae)the owner shall give his or her master (R)thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

32 "If the ox gores a male or female servant, the owner is to give 30 shekels of silver to the servant's master, and the ox is to be stoned.

32 If the ox gores a male or a female servant, the owner shall give to the servant’s master thirty shekels of silver [the purchase price for a slave], and the ox shall be stoned.

Laws About Restitution

33 “When a man uncovers a pit or digs a pit, and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

33 “If a man opens a pit, or (af)digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;

33 If a man opens a pit or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or donkey falls into it,

33 “If a man leaves a pit open, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

34 the owner of the pit must give compensation; he must pay money to its owner, but the dead animal will become his.

34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall (ag)give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.

34 The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.

34 the owner of the pit is to make restitution. He is to pay money to its owner, and the dead animal will become his.

34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to the animal’s owner, but the dead [animal] shall be his.

35 “When a man’s ox injures his neighbor’s ox and it dies, they must sell the live ox and divide its proceeds; they must also divide the dead animal.

35 “If one man’s ox hurts another’s so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price equally; and also they shall divide the dead ox.

35 And if one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.

35 "If a man's ox strikes his neighbor's ox and it dies, they are to sell the live ox and divide the money. They also are to divide the dead animal.

35 “If one man’s ox injures another’s so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the proceeds equally; they shall also divide the dead ox [between them].

36 If, however, it is known that the ox was in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not restrained it, he must compensate fully, ox for ox; the dead animal will become his.

36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.

36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

36 But if it was known that the ox had gored previously, and its owner didn't restrain it, he shall certainly repay ox for ox, and the dead ox will become his."

36 Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, and its owner has not kept it confined, he must make restitution of ox for ox, and the dead [animal] shall be his.

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