Old Testament

New Testament

Exodus 21:5-17 Contemporary English Version Anglicised (CEVUK00)

5. But suppose the slave loves his wife and children so much that he won't leave without them.

6. Then he must stand beside either the door or the doorpost at the place of worship, while his owner punches a small hole through one of his ears with a sharp metal rod. This makes him a slave for life.

7. A young woman who was sold by her father doesn't gain her freedom in the same way that a man does.

8. If she doesn't please the man who bought her to be his wife, he must let her be bought back. He cannot sell her to foreigners; this would break the contract he made with her.

9. If he selects her as a wife for his son, he must treat her as his own daughter.

10. If the man later marries another woman, he must continue to provide food and clothing for the one he bought and to treat her as a wife.

11. If he fails to do any of these things, she must be given her freedom without cost.

12. Death is the punishment for murder.

13. But if you did not intend to kill someone, and I, the Lord, let it happen anyway, you may run for safety to a place that I have set aside.

14. If you plan in advance to murder someone, there's no escape, not even by holding on to my altar. You will be dragged off and killed.

15. Death is the punishment for attacking your father or mother.

16. Death is the punishment for kidnapping. If you sell the person you kidnapped, or if you are caught with that person, the penalty is death.

17. Death is the punishment for cursing your father or mother.

Read complete chapter Exodus 21