Verse 9

In all cases of illegal possessions, whether for an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any kind of lost item, about which someone says‘This belongs to me,’ the matter of the two of them will come before the judges, and the one whom the judges declare guilty must repay double to his neighbor.

Referenced Verses

  • Deut 25:1 : 1 If controversy arises between people, they should go to court for judgment. When the judges hear the case, they shall exonerate the innocent but condemn the guilty.
  • Exod 22:28 : 28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
  • Exod 23:6-8 : 6 “You must not turn away justice for your poor people in their lawsuits. 7 Keep your distance from a false charge– do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I will not justify the wicked. 8 “You must not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and subverts the words of the righteous.
  • Num 5:6-7 : 6 “Tell the Israelites,‘When a man or a woman commits any sin that people commit, thereby breaking faith with the LORD, and that person is found guilty, 7 then he must confess his sin that he has committed and must make full reparation, add one fifth to it, and give it to whomever he wronged.
  • Exod 22:4 : 4 If the stolen item should in fact be found alive in his possession, whether it be an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he must pay back double.
  • Exod 22:7-8 : 7 “If a man gives his neighbor money or articles for safekeeping, and it is stolen from the man’s house, if the thief is caught, he must repay double. 8 If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house will be brought before the judges to see whether he has laid his hand on his neighbor’s goods.
  • Exod 18:21-22 : 21 But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 They will judge the people under normal circumstances, and every difficult case they will bring to you, but every small case they themselves will judge, so that you may make it easier for yourself, and they will bear the burden with you.
  • Deut 16:18-19 : 18 Provision for Justice You must appoint judges and civil servants for each tribe in all your villages that the LORD your God is giving you, and they must judge the people fairly. 19 You must not pervert justice or show favor. Do not take a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and distort the words of the righteous.
  • 1 Kgs 8:31 : 31 “When someone is accused of sinning against his neighbor and the latter pronounces a curse on the alleged offender before your altar in this temple, be willing to forgive the accused if the accusation is false.
  • 2 Chr 19:10 : 10 Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you(whether it involves a violent crime or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the LORD. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues, but if you obey, you will be free of guilt.
  • Matt 6:14-15 : 14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.
  • Matt 18:15 : 15 Restoring Christian Relationships“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother.
  • Matt 18:35 : 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.”
  • Luke 17:3-4 : 3 Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying,‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”