New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 “Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
1
"Suppose a man steals an ox or a sheep. And suppose he kills it or sells it. Then he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox. Or he must pay back four sheep or goats for the sheep.
2 “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;
2
"Suppose you catch a thief breaking into your house. And suppose you hit the thief and kill him. Then you are not guilty of murder.
3 but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed. “Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution, but if they have nothing, they must be sold to pay for their theft.
3
But suppose it happens after the sun has come up. Then you are guilty of murder. "A thief must pay for what he has stolen. But suppose he does not have anything. Then he must be sold to pay for what he has stolen.
4 If the stolen animal is found alive in their possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—they must pay back double.
4
"What if the stolen ox, donkey or sheep is found alive with him? Then the thief must pay back twice as much as he stole.
5 “If anyone grazes their livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in someone else’s field, the offender must make restitution from the best of their own field or vineyard.
5
"Suppose a man lets his livestock eat grass in someone else's field or vineyard. Then he must pay that person back from the best crops of his own field or vineyard.
6 “If a fire breaks out and spreads into thornbushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution.
6
"Suppose a fire breaks out and spreads into bushes. It burns grain that has been cut and stacked. Or it burns grain that is still growing. Or it burns the whole field. Then the one who started the fire must pay for the loss.
7 “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.
7
"Suppose a man gives his neighbor silver or other things to keep safe. And suppose they are stolen from the neighbor's house. If the thief is caught, he must pay back twice as much as he stole.
8 But if the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges, and they must determine whether the owner of the house has laid hands on the other person’s property.
8
"But suppose the thief is not found. Then the neighbor must go to the judges. They will decide whether the neighbor has stolen the other person's property.
9 In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to the other.
9
"Suppose you have an ox, donkey, sheep or clothing that does not belong to you. Or you have other property that was lost by someone else. And suppose someone says, 'That belongs to me.' Then both people must bring their case to the judges. The one the judges decide is guilty must pay back twice as much to the other person.
10 “If anyone gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep or any other animal to their neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is taken away while no one is looking,
10
"Suppose a man asks his neighbor to take care of a donkey, ox, sheep or any other animal. And suppose the animal dies or gets hurt. Or suppose it is stolen while no one is looking.
11 the issue between them will be settled by the taking of an oath before the LORD that the neighbor did not lay hands on the other person’s property. The owner is to accept this, and no restitution is required.
11
Then the problem will be settled by taking an oath and promising the LORD to tell the truth. "Suppose the neighbor takes an oath and says, 'I didn't steal your property.' Then the owner must accept what the neighbor says. No payment is required.
12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, restitution must be made to the owner.
12
"But suppose the animal really was stolen. Then the neighbor must pay the owner back.
13 If it was torn to pieces by a wild animal, the neighbor shall bring in the remains as evidence and shall not be required to pay for the torn animal.
13
"Or suppose it was torn to pieces by a wild animal. Then the neighbor must bring in what is left as proof. No payment is required.
14 “If anyone borrows an animal from their neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, they must make restitution.
14
"Suppose a man borrows an animal from his neighbor. And it gets hurt or dies while the owner is not there. Then the man must pay for it.
15 But if the owner is with the animal, the borrower will not have to pay. If the animal was hired, the money paid for the hire covers the loss.
15
"But suppose the owner is with the animal. Then the man will not have to pay. If he hired the animal, the money he paid to hire it covers the loss.
16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife.
16
"Suppose a man meets a virgin who is not engaged. And he talks her into having sex with him. Then he must pay her father the price for a bride. And he must get married to her.
17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.
17
"But suppose her father absolutely refuses to give her to him. Then he must still pay the price for getting married to a virgin.
18 “Do not allow a sorceress to live.
18
"Do not let a woman who does evil magic stay alive. Put her to death.
19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death.
19
"Anyone who has sex with an animal must be put to death.
20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
20
"Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than me must be destroyed.
21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
21
"Do not treat outsiders badly. Do not beat them down. Remember, you were outsiders in Egypt.
22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
22
"Do not take advantage of widows. Do not take advantage of children whose fathers have died.
23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
23
"If you do, they might cry out to me. Then I will certainly hear them.
24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
24
And I will get angry. I will kill you with a sword. Your wives will become widows. Your children's fathers will die.
25 “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.
25
"Suppose you lend money to one of my people among you who is in need. Then do not be like those who lend money and charge interest. Do not charge any interest.
26 If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,
26
"Suppose your neighbor owes you money and gives you a coat as a promise to pay it back. Then return it to him by sunset.
27 because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
27
That coat is the only thing he owns to wear or sleep in. When he cries out to me, I will listen, because I am loving and kind.
28 “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
28
"Do not speak evil things against me. Do not call down a curse on the ruler of your people.
29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.“You must give me the firstborn of your sons.
29
"Do not hold back your grain offerings or wine offerings. "You must give me the oldest of your sons.
30 Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.
30
Do the same with your cattle and sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days. But give them to me on the eighth day.
31 “You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.
31
"I want you to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of any animal that has been torn by wild animals. Throw it to the dogs.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.