Exodus 22: Caring for Neighbors

God's laws continued with rules about property and responsibility. A thief had to pay back more than he stole, and anyone who damaged a neighbor's field or borrowed and harmed something had to make it right. God warned against false worship. He commanded His people not to wrong or oppress a foreigner, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt, and not to take advantage of any widow or orphan, because He hears their cry. Loans to the poor were to be without interest, and a cloak taken as a pledge had to be returned by sunset, for I am gracious.

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Read Exodus 22

World English Bible · 31 verses

¹ “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ If the sun has risen on him, he is guilty of bloodshed. He shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten by letting his animal loose, and it grazes in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ “If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ “If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ If the thief isn’t found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out whether or not he has put his hand on his neighbor’s goods.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ For every matter of trespass, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, ‘This is mine,’ the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ “If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, he has not put his hand on his neighbor’s goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² But if it is stolen from him, the one who stole shall make restitution to its owner.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor’s, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ “You shall not allow a sorceress to live.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ “Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to Yahweh only, shall be utterly destroyed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ “You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² “You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ “You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. “You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ “You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Exodus 22 · Preschool

God Hears the Needy

Name Date

Color the warm coat! God told His people to make sure poor neighbors had a coat to keep warm at night.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 22:21 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: God is kind and hears people who need help. We can help them too.

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Exodus 22 · Grade 5

Justice and Mercy

Name Date

Read and Think

Exodus 22 continues the Book of the Covenant with property laws. Theft required restitution, often double or more, so the thief would repay the victim rather than simply be punished. Damage from grazing animals or a spreading fire had to be repaid. These laws taught personal responsibility and respect for a neighbor's property, applying the eighth and tenth commandments.

The chapter then turns to God's heart for the vulnerable. Israel must not wrong or oppress the foreigner, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. They must not take advantage of widows or orphans. God promises to hear their cry and act as their defender. Their own history of suffering was meant to make them compassionate. Scripture repeats this concern again and again (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Psalm 68:5).

Lending to the poor was to be an act of help, not profit: no interest, and a cloak taken as a pledge must be returned at sunset. The reason given is God's own character: I will hear, for I am gracious. The chapter also calls for honoring God with the firstfruits and for Israel to be holy men to me. Holiness and compassion belong together. In the New Testament, Jesus cared for the poor, the sick and the outsider.

Show What You Know

Why did theft require restitution instead of only punishment?
Which commandments do these property laws apply?
Why should Israel be compassionate to foreigners?
What reason did God give for returning the cloak?
What two things belong together in this chapter?

Think About It

How can your own hard experiences make you more compassionate toward others?
What would it look like for your family to help someone who is poor or alone?

Memory Verse

“You shall not wrong an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 22:21 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you show care for people in need around you?
What should you do after you break or lose what belongs to another?
How can you treat newcomers with kindness?

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Exodus 22: Caring for Neighbors

Read Exodus 22

Worksheets

God Hears the Needy

Prayer

Take It Home

Help Others

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Love Your Neighbor

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Be Kind to People in Need

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Prayer

Take It Home

God's Heart for the Poor

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Story Order

Prayer

Take It Home

God Hears the Cry

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Justice and Mercy

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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