Old Testament

New Testament

Exodus 21:3-18-19 Good News Bible (GNB)

3. If he was unmarried when he became your slave, he is not to take a wife with him when he leaves; but if he was married when he became your slave, he may take his wife with him.

4. If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to the master, and the man shall leave by himself.

5. But if the slave declares that he loves his master, his wife, and his children and does not want to be set free,

6. then his master shall take him to the place of worship. There he is to make him stand against the door or the door-post and pierce his ear. Then he will be his slave for life.

7. “If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to be set free, as male slaves are.

8. If she is sold to someone who intends to make her his wife, but he doesn't like her, then she is to be sold back to her father; her master cannot sell her to foreigners, because he has treated her unfairly.

9. If a man buys a female slave to give to his son, he is to treat her like a daughter.

10. If a man takes a second wife, he must continue to give his first wife the same amount of food and clothing and the same rights that she had before.

11. If he does not fulfil these duties to her, he must set her free and not receive any payment.

12. “Whoever hits someone and kills him is to be put to death.

13. But if it was an accident and he did not mean to kill him, he can escape to a place which I will choose for you, and there he will be safe.

14. But when anyone gets angry and deliberately kills someone else, he is to be put to death, even if he has run to my altar for safety.

15. “Whoever hits his father or his mother is to be put to death.

16. “Whoever kidnaps someone, either to sell him or to keep him as a slave, is to be put to death.

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

18-19. “If there is a fight and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist, but does not kill them, they are not to be punished. If the one who was hit has to stay in bed, but later is able to get up and walk outside with the help of a stick, the one who hit them is to pay for their lost time and take care of them until they get well.

Read complete chapter Exodus 21